#2 Reconcile Series

READ as the INTRO

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Good morning everyone. Jesus once said, the scriptures say an “eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”(Matt 5:38-39) In this simple statement is a profound truth, conflict will happen. As long as humans exist on the planet, there will be struggles between us for a whole host of reasons. We can choose to fight it, confront it or be changed by it. If we choose the later, then we recognize that Conflict can be an intense journey toward a new path of holiness, revelation and reconciliation.

It is this journey, we will begin discussing today. I would like to propose that conflict can lead us to be more like Christ – to be holy.

Now Conflict is all around us. From deflate gate to evening news, from talk radio to the latest television show called SLAP, we thrive on conflict. All sports is about conflict. Football is all about controlled conflict. The language of winning and losing has formed our American Psyche. I believe it was in Talladega nights meant as a funny line but it’s so true: if you’re not first, you’re last! However, what if all that teaching was wrong. What if there is a third way? A third way that teaches us not to think of conflict as something that needs to be resolved but experienced as well as learned from.

This transformational approach recognizes that conflict is the norm. It also recognizes that it can be either destructive or constructive. Destructive conflict is that of forced change, revenge and manipulation of others. Constructive conflict happens when we chose a different understanding of our differences with others as a catalyst for growth.

Like so many of Apostle Paul’s writings, Paul Lederach writes in THE LITTLE BOOK OF CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION that it’s helpful to think of conflict in terms of human body parts as a reminder of the human journey or walk we are on. It will take all of you to adequately traverse the path of conflict. He begins with the head.

BODY SLIDE WITH THE WORDS BELOW: HEAD, HEART, HANDS AND FEET

Head:

All growth begins with an understanding. Conflict is not something to shy away from but recognition that it is a means for growth and action. We often recognize conflict as peaks and valleys. For some, conflict seems like it will never end or we are thankful we never have to don’t have to deal with it. However, this kind of thinking never actually gives us the perspective needed to learn from it. It’s only when we can take a step back and see the larger picture that we recognize that there are patterns of energies, times, and even whole seasons of conflict.

A transformational approach to conflict seeks to understand particular episodes within a greater pattern so that they can be better understood and change can take place in the immediate and over a life time.

Lederach then moves to the heart. Our lives are found beneath the surface in the less visible aspects of our connections and relationships

2. Heart:

The issues over which people fight are important and require creative responses. Our relationships represent a web of connections that move from within us out into the world. It is inevitable that conflict will flow from our lives. It is just such awareness that calls us to increase understanding of ourselves, others and our social structures. So that we can respond, innovate and change. We must become more willing to be Christ like if we are ever going to use conflict as a catalyst for growth.