Preacher: Jeremy Herbert
Text: Micah 6, Hebrews 12, Ephesians 2
Theme: Peacemakers respond well to conflict so that God’s purposes are accomplished
Notes:
Responses to Conflict
- Some people run: escape, denial, separation, suicide
- Some people rage: verbal, physical, legal attacks
- Some people seek reconciliation: overlooking offenses, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and accountability
Conflict is inevitable–therefore learning to handle it rightly is important.
Micah 6:8, “…what does the LORD require of you but
to do justly,
love mercy, and
walk humbly with your God?”
Peacemakers want God’s purposes accomplished
- Conflict is an opportunity to see what is in your heart and what youtrust in
- Trust is not the same as simply not worrying
- Trust is not an absence of fear and doubt
- Trust is actively acting by faith in spite of those fears
- Conflict is an opportunity to be like Christ (by acting justly)
- Hebrews 12:1-17
- Conflict is an opportunity to serve others (by loving mercy)
- Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God (by walking humbly)
Live It Out: When Conflict Comes…
- How can I glorify God in this matter?
- How can I show Jesus’s transforming work by taking personal responsibility for my part of the conflict?
- How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take the responsibility for their part?
- You can forgive unilaterally
- Reconciliation is bilateral
- Some relationships may never be repaired
- But you can do your part
- How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution?
Ephesians 2:4-7
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