It’s Not Over After CONFLICT
Mark Estepp - 8/24/2025
Acts 15:36-40
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
It’s Not Over After CONFLICT
To see God do immeasurably more in and through you; you will have to deal with conflict.
(Barnabas) Can you encourage someone after they have failed and give them another chance?
Trust can be earned.
(Paul) Can you love and forgive someone, but not trust them with certain things?
Trust can be eroded.
What can God do after conflict?
- God can redeem conflict (to multiply the mission.)
- God can reconcile people (to mend for the mission.)
- God can refine people (to mature for the mission.)
(Paul) You probably need to become more patient and gracious.
(Barnabas) You probably need to become more urgent and truth-oriented.
(John Mark) You need to become more resilient and dependable.
What should we do with conflict?
- Do not become arrogant or apathetic.
- Take correction and action.
- What to do exactly is not always clear, but the mission must continue.
Romans 5:10-11
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.