Fighting the right fight, the right way.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
often times when we are walking through life we don’t stop to think about the spiritual world in everyday life.
often times the enemy will send conflict to block our witness (especially with Family).
we need to understand the nature of spiritual warfare is slowing down and asking, whats really going on?
sometimes the fear of loss will block what God wants to do to bring growth and change to the life of another.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
1. Most of us would consider ourselves to be spiritual, (at least I would) most of us need to be remanded about the spirit world. (at least I do).
1. Most of us would consider ourselves to be spiritual, (at least I would) most of us need to be remanded about the spirit world. (at least I do).
when I talk about a spiritual battle, I do not mean that I get to rebuke Brandon in Jesus name because I don’t like something he is doing.
I mean that we must remember that not everything is as we see it. Brandon may well be acting like a turkey. it is up to me to remember that before I get all fired up and ready for conflict that my battle is not against him, He is merely flesh and blood.
In the point side note:
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.
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Notice here that the king of Kings and Lord of Lords gives us a way to deal with personal conflict.
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.
deal with it person to person if you can . note the tail end of the verse. “ if he hears you, you have gained your brother.”
next (if he does not hear you) take some brothers who know the both of you with you. the purpose that Jesus gives here is that every word may be established. (that the truth Might come out, and the record in heaven might be established in the truth.
Finally, take it to the church. most people don’t even try to do it right. you might ask why? The would rather be right in the eyes of men then righteous in the sight of God!
2. Conflict Causes Chaos. It’s impossible to be a witness to one you are at war with.
2. Conflict Causes Chaos. It’s impossible to be a witness to one you are at war with.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
(it makes me nervous to preach this kind of truth for fear that I will be tested in this. I don’t want to be tested here. I have failed here so many times.
conflict is sometimes unavoidable, but as much as it depends on you keep the peace.
notice that when we looked at Matthew 18 we saw that there is a correct way to deal with conflict and an incorrect way to deal with them.
we are also called to turn the other cheek. (let it go as much as it does not affect your integrity and unity.
as it relates to Church or family, ask yourself about the unity it will disrupt the unity of the situation.
keep in mind you have to have some conflict.
3. remember you might be there to minister in that situation and they may not realize that you are ministering.
3. remember you might be there to minister in that situation and they may not realize that you are ministering.
this means that you might be ministering by not responding.
they wouldn’t know that you didn’t snap back.
God knows