Settle Your Disputes Series

In 1904, Argentina and Chile celebrated the resolution of a border dispute, which nearly brought the two countries to war. They celebrated with a large statue of Christ erected high in the Andes on the border between their two countries. They called the statue, "Christ the Redeemer of the Andes,” and at its feet they engraved these words: “Sooner shall these mountains crumble into dust than Chileans and Argentinians break the peace which at the feet of Christ, the Redeemer, they have sworn to maintain.”

However, shortly after the statue was erected, the Chileans almost broke that peace. They began to protest that they had been slighted, because the statue had its back turned to Chile. Then, when tempers were at their highest in Chile, a Chilean journalist saved the day. In an editorial that not only satisfied the people but made them laugh, he simply said, “The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans” (Scott Bayles, pastor, Blooming Grove Christian Church, November 23, 2014; www. sermoncentral.com)

Christ brings peace, but all too often His followers threaten that peace. So, what do you do when there is conflict in the church? Well, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. In fact, conflict can be very beneficial if handled appropriately.

Several years ago (1992), K-State Professor, Dr. Cornelia Flora, published a study identifying eight common traits of growing communities. Do you know what she listed as the #1 trait of a growing community? It was conflict!

She said, “Research revealed that in growing communities controversy was considered normal. It was not treated as bad, wrong, or abnormal, nor were the people who presented it. Instead, it was regarded as a necessity. Just the opposite was revealed in dying towns. People avoided controversy [and] refused to address issues” (The Ellsworth Reporter, January 7, 1993, p.1B)

So how can the church use conflict to its advantage? How can God’s people transform their disputes into development opportunities? How can believers capitalize on their differences to make a difference for Jesus Christ? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 6, where the God addresses this problem.

1 Corinthians 6:1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? (ESV)

Paul is incredulous that some of these believers are taking their disputes outside the church for ungodly judges to decide. They are filing civil suits against each other in secular courts.

1 Corinthians 6:2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? (ESV)—I.e., trivial in comparison to world matters.

1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! (ESV)

If we’re going to judge heavenly beings in eternity, certainly, we can resolve temporal issues in this life.

1 Corinthians 6:4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? (ESV)—I.e., before unbelievers outside the church.

Paul’s jaw drops at the idea that they are relying on unbelieving judges to make decisions for them that they are far more capable of making for themselves.

1 Corinthians 6:5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers… (ESV)

Oh, how that must have stung, since they thought they were so wise.

1 Corinthians 6:6 …but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? (ESV)

Paul is incredulous! He cannot believe they are asking unbelievers to settle their differences for them. No! Settle your own differences. Resolve your own conflicts, especially when you…

CONSIDER YOUR FUTURE.

Think about what’s ahead for every believer.

You will judge the world someday (vs.2). Jesus said in Matthew 19:28, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” You will judge the earthly nations someday. And someday, you will judge angels. That’s exactly what verse 3 says. So you have what it takes to settle your own disputes. You have the wisdom and skill to resolve your own differences.

In The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, the cartoon character Calvin says to his tiger friend, Hobbes, “I feel bad that I called Susie names and hurt her feelings. I'm sorry I did it.”

“Maybe you should apologize to her,” Hobbes suggests.

Calvin ponders this for a moment and replies, "I keep hoping there's a less obvious solution" (Norm Langston, Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, Baker).