Sons of Thunder and Sons of Encouragement

I just read an old John Piper sermon entitled, Barnabas, The Weakness of a Great Leader (part of a series that included Barnabas:The Goodness of Great Faith, and Barnabas: The Maker of a Great Leader) and it summarized a lot of my current thoughts in a much better way than I could have done. Here's the link to get the whole message. And, here's a tidbit to inspire you to go to the link.

Piper says:
But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

In other words, the behavior of Paul and Barnabas amounted to a new commandment to the Gentiles that they must virtually become Jews.

Notice what was at stake here. It was the truth of the gospel (v.14). There are actions that so contradict the truth of the gospel that they cannot be countenanced. Paul knew that when the truth goes, the gospel goes, and when the gospel goes, the souls of men perish. This was Paul's great strength. He never forgot that truth issues are ultimately people issues.

Peter and Barnabas were wrong. Their actions were out of step with the truth of the gospel. Why had Barnabas been swept away in this error? Why did a few men coming from Jerusalem cause Peter and Barnabas to conform to their expectations rather than stand up for the principle of gospel liberty?

Here is the weakness of a great man. Here the bubble of idealism bursts on the needle of reality. Our hero is fallible and imperfect after all.

And, the summary:

1. Great saints go astray—sons of thunder and sons of encouragement.
2. The ministry is made up of many judgment calls, and we will have to learn to disagree on some things without rancor or bitterness or resentment.
   
3. Every strength has its corresponding weakness and we are all vulnerable.
   
4. Therefore we need each other's different strengths and mustn't envy one another but rather give thanks for God's wisdom.
   
5. Past experiences and past usefulness are no guarantee of future obedience. Successful Christian living is made of vigilance and constant prayer.
   
6. The cause of God will triumph through all the weaknesses and failures of his people. Our defeats are temporary and the celebration of our enemies is brief.