Experience The Spirit In Conflict Series

Dr. Robert said, “No church is more than twenty-four hours away from a major conflict breaking out. In less than a year, it can destroy years of hard work and growth” (Firestorms, page 12)

He spoke about the danger and the ferocity of firestorms. He warned us that once a firestorm ignites it causes damage quickly to the surrounding terrain and races off to burn up whatever is in its path. They move fast and quickly across the landscape burning everything up in sight. They are dangerous and destructive. They have even been known to be brief but so intense that they cause maximum loss in a short period of time. So we need to learn how to become fire fighters if we want to preserve our family relationships, our friendship relationships, our church relationships, our community relationships and our individual relationships.

Firestorms come in many forms and can ignite in any type of a life situation.

Video Illustration:

Conflict in marriage from bluefishtv.com/ Conflict with in-laws bluefishtv.com

Conflict or firestorms in relationships can either facilitate spiritual growth or spiritual death. I need to ask you a few questions today: “Is anger and conflict hindering your Spiritual growth?” “Do you want to, experience the Spirit through conflict and firestorms?” You can because the experience of conflict, disagreements, arguments, are a common occurrence in this life and God will use those firestorm moments to help you grow if you let Him. The key we need to understand is that they will come and go and it’s vitally important how we handle them. If we choose the biblical way of handling firestorms we will see spiritual growth in our lives.

Quote: CONFLICT IN COMMUNITY: “The difference between spiritual and unspiritual community is not whether conflict exists, but is rather in our attitude toward it and our approach to handling it. When conflict is seen as an opportunity to draw more fully on spiritual resources, we have the makings of spiritual community.” SOURCE: Larry Crabb in "The Safest Place on Earth," p. 40.

Thesis: Conflict or what I call firestorms can ignite quickly over what seems like nothing and do maximum damage. One minute everything is good and the next you find yourself in a blazing inferno of flying hurtful words and emotional pain.

Scripture Romans 12: 9-21 The how to grow spiritually chapter!

Rules for Christian Living

9Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good.

10Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.

11Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.

12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

13Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

14 Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them.

15When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad.