May 10 2015 Freedom In Communication

FREEDOM IN COMMUNICATION

Proverbs 15:2 – When wise men speak, they make knowledge attractive.

SEVEN STEPS TO FREEDOM IN COMMUNICATION

I. Step One: Choose the right time.

Ecclesiastes 8:6 – There is a right time and right way to do everything.

II. Step Two: Plan the presentation.

Proverbs 16:23 – Intelligent people think before they speak.  What they say is then more persuasive.

TWO THINGS TO PLAN

1. Introduction.
2. Illustrations.

III. Step Three: Begin with their needs.

Ephesians 4:29 – Speak only what is helpful for building up others.

IV. Step Four: Learn to listen first.

Proverbs 18:63 – Listen before you answer.  If you don’t you’re being stupid and insulting.

James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, and slow to speak.

V. Step Five: Say things positively.

Proverbs 16:21 – A mature person is known for his understanding.  The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

VI. Step Six: Clarify your conclusions.

Philippians 4:2 – Agree with each other in the Lord.

VII. Step Seven: End with encouraging words.

Proverbs 12:25 – A word of encouragement does wonders.

REAFFIRM THREE THINGS

1. Your commitment.
2. Your love.
3. A sense of Optimism.

November 6 2011 Love As A Lifestyle

Love As A Lifestyle

Gal. 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is Love.
Without love, nothing else matters. (I Cor. 13:1-2)
Love shows we really know God. (I John 4:7-21)
To love is our #1 responsibility. (Matthew 22:36-40)
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not rude, love does not demand it’s own way, love is not irritable and love keeps no record of when it has be wronged. 

I. How to develop a loving lifestyle or mindset.

1. Accept others unconditionally.
Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

2. Commit yourself personally.
Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Romans 12:5 – In Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 

3. Encourage others continually.
I Thess. 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact, you are doing.
I Cor. 13:7 – If you love someone, you always believe in him and always expect the best of him.

4. Serve people cheerfully.
I Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Romans 12:13 – Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

5. Forgive others freely.
Col 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

6. Decide to expand the Kingdom.
Matthew 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all nations.
II Cor. 5:14 - For Christ’s love compels us.

II. The practical application for dealing with draining people.

1. Difficult people: I must be tactful, not just truthful.
I Cor. 13:5 - Love is not rude.
Prov. 16:21 A wise mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words the more persuasive he is.

2. Demanding people: I must be understand and not be demanding.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love does not demand it’s own way.
Titus 3:2 -Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.

3. Disappointing people: I must be gentle not judgmental.
I Cor. 13:5 -Love is not irritable.
Prov. 15:4 - Gentle words bring life and health.

4. Destructive people: Don’t repeat it, just delete it.
I Cor. 13:5 - And love keeps no record of when it has been wronged.
Prov. 19:11 - When someone wrongs you it is a great virtue to ignore it.

CONCLUSION: Eph. 3:17-18 – I pray that Christ will be more at home in your heart, living within you as you trust Him. May your roots go deep into the soil of God's Marvelous love, and may you be able to feel and understand how long, wide, deep and high His love really is, and experience this love for yourselves.