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.”

February 19 2012 How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

Luke 8:39 - Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

FOUR WAYS TO BREAK THE CYCLE

I. Stop thinking your present position cannot be changed.
A) Verse 27 - For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tomb.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING

1. Stop listening to the voice of the past.
Philippians 3:13 - Forgetting those things which are behind.

2. Decide to break out of the rut.
Philippians 3:13 & 14 - Strain towards what is ahead and press on toward the goal.

EXAMPLES
Peter - Matthew 26:75
Samson

II. Start to understand your personal value.
A) Verse 30 - Jesus asked him what is your name?

SOME EXAMPLES TO LOOK AT
Matthew
Zacchaeus

HOW TO SEE PERSONAL VALUE

1. Listen to what God says.
Matthew 10:30-31 - The hairs of your head are all numbered. You are worth more than many sparrows.


2. Listen to friends that want to help.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

III.Step into the power of Christ.
A) Verse 28 - When he saw Jesus, he cried and fell at His feet.
Verse 30 - My name is Legion.

HOW TO STEP INTO POWER
1. Confess our need.
I John 1:9

2. Surrender to the authority of Christ.
Romans 12:1 & 2

IV. Shoulder the price of permanent change.

A) Verse 39 - Jesus sent him away saying, return home and tell how much God has done for you, so the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
HOW TO MAINTAIN THE NEW POSITION

1. Replace bad habits with new ones.
Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

2. Let discomfort become a part of your life.
Nehemiah

3. Double up.
Hebrews 10:25 - Let us consider and give attentive courteous care to watching over each other, studying how we may stimulate each other to helpful deed and noble activities.

4. Determination.

5. Depend on God.

II Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit that God has given us fills us with power, love and self control.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.