August 23, 2026

Acts 15:36-41

Trust the Slow Work of God

Sunday Sermons

What should we do when the unthinkable happens, and a relationship we thought was rock solid and indestructible explodes into a thousand pieces? What do repentance and forgiveness look like when we can’t even agree to disagree? What hope is there for healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation? Join Pastor Matt as we look at Acts 15:36-41 and consider the broken relationship of Paul and Barnabas, and how God continued to work through them, despite their differences.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 15:36-41

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 15:36-41

Trust the Slow Work of God

Pastor Matt Pierson

What has happened, and how can it be fixed?
What can we do?
What can only God do?

1. Broken Shalom: Broken Relationships

“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom…. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”

“Sin is culpable disturbance of shalom— that is, culpable in the eyes of God.”

“Ultimately, the only human beings we know are people who have been created to please God and build shalom but who, to a greater or lesser degree, mysteriously live against the purpose of their existence.”
-Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin

2. Seek Peace

“Seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalms 34:14

“I am increasingly aware that I cannot seek God’s peace and mission in the world without beginning right where I am, in my home, in my neighborhood, in my church, with the real people right around me.”
Tish Harrison Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary

  • Repentance + Forgiveness = Reconciliation

“Only the gospel prepares you for both sides of the Christian reconciliation model. It humbles you enough to make you able to be a forgiver and, at the same time, affirms and fills you with such a sense of worth and love that it makes you able to be a repenter. It is only great humility and great joy that will help us as a church, a community, to keep relationships in repair.”
Tim Keller, Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?

3. Trust the Slow Work of God

“If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.”
Charles Spurgeon

“For God alone my soul waits in silence.”
Psalm 62:1

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40:1

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you…”
2 Peter 3:9

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Come Christians Join To Sing“ by Christian Henry Bateman
“All The Way My Savior Leads Me“ by Fanny Jane Crosby and Robert S. Lowry
“I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)“ by Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matthew Merker, and Stuart Townend
“He Is Making All Things Right“ by Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler, Skye Peterson
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: Steady Dependence

Compose our spirits to a quiet and steady dependence on Your good providence,
that we may not be anxious for anything,
but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,
still make known our requests to You, our God.
Help us to pray always and not faint;
in everything to give thanks,
and offer up the sacrifice of praise continually;
to rejoice in hope of your glory;
to possess our souls in patience;
and to learn in whatsoever state we are, there to be content.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!

Confession of Faith

New City Catechism
Part 2, Christ, Redemption, Grace
Q 25, 26

Leader: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?
People: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more.

Leader: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
People: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as He powerfully directs all things for His own glory and creation’s good.

Classic Prayer: Charles Spurgeon

Oh! Bring us, we pray, near to yourself, Lord. Let us immerse ourselves in communion with our God. Blessed be the love which chose us before the world began! We can never sufficiently adore You for Your sovereignty, the sovereignty of love which saw us in the ruins of the Fall, yet loved us anyway. And now to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be glory forever and ever.

TVC Prayer Ministry

TVC Ministry: College Ministry
Vocation: Education
Mission Highlight: Hands & Feet Project
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Turkmenistan

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