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Welcome back men! Today we'll be discussing how to debate, or how not to debate, secondary issues!

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Jesus prayed that believers would have unity like he and the Father have unity. He also said that the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another.  There are secondary issues that have been debated by believers for centuries, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it

• Over the last several years, I’ve taken some deep dives into secondary issues in the Christian faith.  I’d call them secondary issues. Some of you might think they’re primary, which is always part of the problem when having these kinds of conversations. I look at issues in four different categories - issues to die for, divide for, debate, or discuss.  The reality is that you and I probably don’t categorize everything the same way.  Some of the issues I think are worth dividing for you may not and vice versa. When I say divide, I don’t mean choosing one local church over another because of doctrinal distinctives or worship style, or things like that.  I’m talking about breaking fellowship with someone who claims to be a Christian but holds a belief that isn’t compatible with traditional Christianity. 

John 17:21-23  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.    

John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

•  Don’t make everything a to divide for issue - 
• I don’t think the right attitude is, “well it doesn’t really matter. It will all sort out in the end.  It does matter. Someone is right and someone is wrong. 
• Truth matters. There is a right answer. 
• 1 Corinthians 13:6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
• Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well. 

Are you listening? 

When you’re discussing a secondary issue with a fellow believer, are you really seeking to listen to them, or just preparing your rebuttal?  Do you find yourself interrupting them?

Acts 15:4-12 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. 5 But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”

6 So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and