SAD...YOU...SEE

I always perk up and pay attention when something is mentioned in the sermon that then shows up in my quiet time, and this week was no exception.

In my Scripture reading this week, I came upon accounts of the Sadducees (and the other divisions Pastor Ben mentioned in his message) not once…not twice…but three times in Acts 4, 5 and 6!

As I read these chapters in Acts, I was struck with how each group (Sadducees, Pharisees, temple guards, elders, scribes, high priests, etc.) thought they were doing the right thing by arresting, trying to silence, and punishing Peter, John and other members of the early church. It took Gamaliel to remind them to “take care” in what they proposed to do (Acts 5:35). As the passage reads, Gamaliel told the Sadducees, Pharisees and other members of the Council to “let them [Peter, John, and the other apostles] alone” because if it what they were doing was of God, “you will not be able to overthrow them, or else you may even be found fighting against God” (Acts 5:38-39).

I wonder if that’s not good advice for us in the modern church. We can all be like the Sadducees sometimes. If we’re not careful—and washing ourselves in the Word—we can sometimes “fight against God” and His work. The Sadducees and Pharisees focused on finer points of the ceremonial law and literally fought against God when they criticized Christ for healing on the Sabbath. We can also fight against God by being critical. I’m not talking about being critical thinkers and confronting errors in theology or doctrine. I’m talking about having a critical spirit—attacking or finding fault in another person or ministry simply because you think the work should be done differently.

So what can we learn from the Sadducees and Pharisees?

First, a good principle might be to as Gamaliel stated “take care” with other ministries that might not function the way we think is best and “leave them alone.” MK Hellings gave us women good advice at the recent women’s retreat. With forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation as the theme for the retreat, MK suggested that when we are disagree with someone or are offended by them, sometimes we just need to let it go. This seems to line up with the principle from Gamaliel. Some things just aren’t a big deal. If it’s not a grievous matter, trust that God will work it out. Rather than criticizing a fellow soldier of Christ, if you have the opportunity to encourage him or her, take it. I think I speak for most when I say they will appreciate it. There are plenty of fault finders out there. Don’t be one of them.

Second, if there are things that can’t be overlooked, go to the person. Communicate. Hear them out. See what they have to say. A good principle from the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People that I need to be reminded of often is “Seek first to understand, then be understood.” Acts 6:7 even states that after observing the way the church was growing and hearing the Word of God spread, “A great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” When they took time to actually listen to Peter and John’s message, many of the priests and other religious sects “became obedient to the faith.” Direct communication can often kill indirect criticism and lead to greater understanding overall.

A long time ago, I learned in Sunday school that the Sadducees were “Sad, you see” because they didn’t believe in the Resurrection. It might be a stretch, but I think we can also learn from the Sadducees not to have a critical spirit. And having a critical spirit is really sad, you see…