Partnership or Rivalry week 11, 2012

What have you done? You just destroyed his credibility in public! “Don’t look at it that way. I simply used the opportunity of a large audience to correct his error. I spoke the truth didn’t I?” Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ Eph 4:15(ESV). I think you were more after his hide than the truth. “Look these half baked people go around boldly peddling error. They speak utter nonsense and deceive people. They must be silenced, because they are the kind of people who ruin whole families by teaching what they should not teach ... Tit 1:10-11(ISV). He should have come to our school of ministry. ” He neither is rebellious nor was he asking for money. Why glorify your school above the need for networking?
“So what should I have done?” Don’t you think a better approach would be to call him aside? Consider Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John Act 18:24-25(ESV) he was not in Paul’s group, or trained by the Jerusalem apostles, yet when he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, … when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately Act 18:26 (ESV)
They did not see him as a rival despite his not being of their group; what today would be called a denominational rivalry. They did not cut him down publicly or privately though he clearly was in need of correction, they took him into their home.
“Well he became a disciple under them”. I would not see it that way. Jesus never insisted on that. John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."Lk 9:49, 50(ESV). They simply partnered with him: When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers wrote and urged the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had believed Act 18:27(ISV).
There is a potential in everyone who speaks up boldly for Jesus which must be harnessed. Petty rivalry and glorification of denomination must die.