June 19 2016 Restoring Harmony In The Home

RESTORING HARMONY IN THE HOME

Mark 3:25 & James 4: 1-2

Mark 3:25 – A home filled with strife and division destroys itself.

James 4: 1-2 – What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

Five ways to manage conflict:

1.  There is my way

2.  There is no way

3.  There is your way

4.  There is half way

5.  There is our way

Six Steps to Resolving Conflict:

1.  You need to become a believer in Christ.

Ephesians 2:16 – As parts of the same body our anger against each other has disappeared for both of us have been reconciled to God and so the feud ended at the cross.

2.  You talked to God about the problem.

James 4:2 – Your quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God.

3.  You analyze the problem.

Matthew 7: 3-4 – Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

1 John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

4.  You need to schedule a peace conference.

Matthew 5:23-24 – If you remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the alter and go at once to make peace, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

1 Peter 3:7

Ways to Communicate                     Ground Rules    
                
1.    Pick the right time                     *No divorce threats         

2.    Choose the right place              * No bad temper

3.    Pray before you meet                * No hatred                  

4.    Come with a positive attitude   *No abusive language                      
    
5.    Establish some ground rules     *No foul mouth                       
                                                            
                                                           *No lies      

Colossians 3:8

5.  Switch your focus.

Philippians 2:3-5 -Don't be selfish, don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too. Your attitude should be like Christ who though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God.

6.  You need to ask for advice.

Proverbs 15:32 – Conceited people don't like to be corrected. They never ask advise from those who are wiser.

Closing thought: It's more rewarding to resolve a conflict that it is to dissolve a relationship.

August 30 & September 6 2015 How Jesus Handles Stress

HOW JESUS HANDLED STRESS

The Jesus Model - Part 3

1. IDENTIFICATION: Know who you are

John 8:12, Mark 14:62, John 14:6, John 6:35 “I am ...the Light of the world... the Son of God...the Way, the Truth and the Life...the Bread of life...” 

John 8:18 (TEV)“I testify on my own behalf.” 

2. MOTIVATION:  Know what you’re living for 

John 5:30 (TEV) “I am not trying to do what I want, but only what my Father who sent me wants.”

John 8:29 (NLT) “ I always do those things that are pleasing to Him.”  

Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters...” 

3. CONCENTRATION: Focus on what matters most. 

Luke 9:51 (LB) “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.” 

Luke 9:62 (LB) “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” 

1 Corinthians 10:23 (Amplified) “We are free to do anything but not all things are helpful or profitable or wholesome or constructive to your character and spiritual life.”

4. MEDITATION: Listen to God

Mark 1:35 (NIV) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  

Luke 5:15-16 (NCV) “News about Jesus spread even more. Crowds came to hear him and to be healed...but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” 

Colossians 2:7 (CEV) “Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life.” 

5. COLLABORATION: Join a small group

Mark 3:14 (NIV)“He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him…”

Matthew 26:38 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

6. RECREATION: Take time to recharge

Mark 6:31 (NCV)“Crowds of people were coming and going so that they did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we’ll go to a lonely place to get some rest.’”  

Matthew 11:19 (Ph) “Jesus came enjoying life...” 

7: SALVATION: Give It All to Jesus

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)  “Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.”