August 7 2016 Prevailing In Personal Relationships

Prevailing In Personal Relationships

Romans 12:14-21

Six Ways to Win in Personal Relationships

1. Return good for evil.

Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.

Matthew 5:44 – Jesus said, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Two Examples:

• Jesus
• Stephen

2. Identify with others.

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

3. Be open minded to others.

Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

4. Treat others with respect.

Romans 12:17 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

5. Do all you can to keep the peace.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Two Qualifications

• If it is possible
• As far

6. Remove revenge from our life.

Romans 12:19-21 – Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is Mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.  On the contrary if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Three Reasons

• It’s the Lord’s task.
• May move that person to Christ.
• Vengeance means we are conquered by evil.

February 7 2016 The Word Of Forgiveness

THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS

Luke 23:33-43

Verse 34 – Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIETY

-We try to bury the past.

Psalm 32 – When I refused to confess my sins, I was weak and miserable.

-We beat ourselves up.

Psalm 30 – Because I was foolish, I’m bent over and bowed down, I’m sad all day long.

-We try to blame others.

Proverbs19:3 – Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.

TRUTHS TO HELP US

1. Forgiveness begins with God.

Verse 34 – “Father.”

Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2. Forgiveness is possible because of Christ.

Verse 34 – “Forgive them.”

Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore since we have a great High Priest who has gone into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

Isaiah 53:12 – He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

3. Forgiveness is needed by all.

Verse 34 – “They do not know what they are doing.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 – That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

4. This prayer sets an example for us.

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you love your enemies.

WHAT JESUS WANTS US TO DO

-Admit our guilt.

Proverbs 20:27 – The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience, we cannot hide from ourselves

1 John 1:8 – If we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

-Accept responsibility.

Psalm 51:3 – I recognize my faults. I am conscious of my sin.

James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

1 John 1:9 – If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable.  He forgives your sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

-God forgives instantly.

Isaiah 55:7 – God is merciful and quick to forgive.

-God forgives completely.

Colossians 2:13 – He forgave us all our sins.

-God forgives freely.

Ephesians 1:7 – For by the death of Christ, we are set free.

April 26 2015 Dealing With Difficult People

Dealing With Difficult People

“Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.” – Romans 12:18  

*The Story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10)*

When faced with a difficult person I should...

• Consider God’s Purpose.

“So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.  For when your  endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”  – James 1:4

• God want to expose me
• God want to grow me
• God wants to deploy me

“And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?”  – Matthew 7:3

• Communicate Kindness.

A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  “– Proverbs 15:1

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.”  – Galatians 5:22-23

• Confront Conflict.

“For the spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.””   – 2 Timothy 1:7

“Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. I assure you that you won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.”  – Matthew 5:25-26

• Cultivate Jesus’s Heart.

“I'm challenging you.  I'm telling you to love your enemies.  Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with prayer….If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.”   – Matthew 5:44,46

Memory Verse: “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”   – 1 John 4:11

July 20 2014 Dealing With Difficult People

God on Film (Planet of the Apes) Dealing With Difficult People 

5 kinds of difficult Apes

1. The Hostile Ape.
2. The Know It All Ape.
3. The Complainer Ape.
4. The Back stabber Ape.
5. The Unreliable Ape.

• The Story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich.” - Luke 19:1-2

WHEN FACED WITH A DIFFICULT PERSON, I SHOULD...

1. DETERMINE GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE RELATIONSHIP.

Luke 19:3-5“[Zacchaeus] tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said.”

God allows difficult people in my life so He can...

• ŽUse Me
• Show Me
• Grow Me

James 1:2-4“Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”

2. DECIDE to respond with kindness. .

Luke 19:5-7 “‘Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.’ Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled.”

Galatians 5:22-23 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

3. DON’T Avoid the real issue .

Luke 19:8 “Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

4. DEVELOP Jesus’s heart for people. .

Luke 19:9-10 “Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.’”

Matthew 5:44-46(Jesus) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven….If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”

1 John 4:11 “ Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”

November 18 2012 The Choice Of Attitude

THE CHOICE OF ATTITUDE

Matthew 5:10 - Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires, the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

I. The Reality of Persecution

Matthew 5:11 - When men insult you.

II. The Reason for Harassment

Matthew 5:11 - Because you are my followers.

John 15:20 - No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

2 Timothy 3:12 - Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

III. My Response to Persecution

1. Recognize the source.

Ephesians 6:12 - We are not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces.

Revelation 12:10

2. Refuse to retaliate.

Romansans 12:17, 19 - If someone does evil to you, don’t pay him back with evil, never take revenge, let God’s wrath do it.

3. Respond positively.

Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

4. Rejoice over it.

Verse 12 - Be glad and happy

Reasons to Rejoice

• It means God’s Spirit can be seen in my life.

1 Peter 4:14 - If you are insulted because of Christ, you are blessed, for God’s spirit rests on you.

• It means God can trust me.

Acts 5:41 - The apostles (were) full of joy that God considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for Jesus’ Name.

• It is only temporary.

2 Corinthians. 4:17 - These troubles won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever.

5. Remember God’s reward.

Romans 8:17 - Since we are God’s children, if we share Christ’s suffering, we will also share in His glory.

6. Remain faithful.

1 Peter 4:19 - So these who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.