Some Things Can't Be Avoided - Conflict series

4/13/08

Some Things Can’t Be Avoided

Matt. 5:23-34, Matt. 7:1-6

Thunderbolt – shattering a sentimental mindset or interpretation

To obey – you  must be able to determine who are dogs & swine. Titus 3:10-11

Not standing toe to toe.

            Jesus is calling for something much more redemptive & loving than confronting someone with a list of their wrongs.

Help – restore – save – forgive

            Restoration is echoed throughout Scripture

            Quarreling/arguing/foolish controversies are condemned in Scripture

Illustration – give a hint to what we are talking about

God does not intend for us to relate to one another at a distance or    through other people.

If someone has something against you:

Unfounded or the other person’s fault -> conclusion:  I have no responsibility.

Why should we initiate:

1.     Jesus says to

2.     Greater Peace

a.     Remove misunderstanding

b.     Discover behavior in you which needs changing

3.     Out of love      Mark of love

a.     Bitterness/anger/hatred/unforgiveness are serious in God’s sight

b.     Potentially destroy another brother

c.      You can make the effort

When someone’s sins are too serious to overlook

·        Against you -  looking at it from viewpoint of brother against whom the sin is committed

·        Sins – telling the whole community how to handle a situation when a brother sins – immediate context is the sin of despising another brother.

When is it time to go?

·        Dishonoring God

·        Damaging your relationship

o   Feelings/thoughts/words/actions have been altered for more than a short period of time.

·        Damaging others

o   Made public – others take sides

·        Damaging the offender

o   “do your own thing” mentality – do nothing even when they sin. Someone ensnared.

o   Lev 19:17