Message Date: August 21, 2022
Bible
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV
- 27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.” Genesis 30:27 NKJV
- All this time God is giving him grace, but he never resolved any of the conflict–so it kept popping up in his life like a whack-a-mole.
- Conflict must be resolved.
- 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV
- 1. Personal. Relational.
- Confrontation does not mean conflict. Conflict can usually be avoided by confrontation.
- 28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28 NKJV
- Perverse: Hebrew to turn over; i.e. backward, the wrong way.
- 2. Ask for help and perspective from trusted peers.( you may not be right)
- If he won’t listen, take one or two others along–so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest–and try again.
- 17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. Proverbs 18:17 NKJV
- 3. Invite the intervention of leadership/authority.
- 4. Boundaries.
- 15-17 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. Matthew 18:15-17 MSG
- 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 AMPC
- 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” Matthew 11:29 NKJV
- 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 NKJV
- Blessed: empowered to prosper
- 9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Matthew 5:9 MSG