Title: Strife doesn’t tears down 03/23/14
Introduction: In the movie back to the future the Biff was George McFly’s boss. Biff was a taker and a bully he didn’t know how to treat anybody with compassion, but all of that changed the night of the night of the Enchantment under the Sea dance. In Proverbs 15:1 we are told a soft answer will turns away wrath in Verse 18 we see that a person who operates out of wrath stirs up strife. We should never strife in our church or in our lives.
Core: Trouble begins when people are not working in one accord but seek to bring strife. Careful consideration of your actions in church should be practiced. Strife comes by the answer and action we give people and I the way they are treated. How you talk to people can be the key to peace in the church.
Body
I. Proverbs which was written by King Solomon gives us instruction for living.
A. Is what you want to do being done out of strife or vainglory (pride over one's own achievements) remember that was what caused satan to fall.
1. We talked last week about serving and helping around the church.
2. While some may take too much of a load
3. Others may want to take on part of the load.
4. The point was work together to accomplish the task.
B. Don’t let Envy and strife drive you to want to take on the task, let the Holy Spirit be your guide.
1. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves
2. It is better not to do something in the church if you are doing it knowing it will produce strife
3. Nor for the glory of people around you.
4. Philippians 2:3 doesn’t stop with talking about doing something is strife or better terminology would be out of anger or because you have been offended.
C. Philippians 2:3 Further states to accomplish a task in oneness of mind
1. We are to praise esteem or admire those who are doing
2. We are to see them as better than ourselves.
3. Maybe this was happening with Euodias and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
4. Working together not separately, esteem each other as better than yourselves.
D. Proverbs 15:18 makes it very clear for us, A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
1. If you operate out of wrath then you stir up strife
2. But if you are slow to anger then you will appease strife
3. You see satan wants to stir things up in a church that is teaching the truth
4. If he can stir people up then the church stops working for God
E. We are as Philippians 2:5 says put on the mind of Christ
1. Christ lived a life of humility
2. Many believers let themselves fall into satan’s trap
3. Because man’s nature way is to esteem oneself
4. We in our flesh can’t be humble, we won’t to stand on our own two feet and have our say.
5. None of us want to be offended.
6. None of us want to be ignored
7. None of us should be trampled on
8. When we are we have that tendency to want to strike back and that brings strife in the church. God doesn’t want strife in the church.
II. 2 Corinthians 13: 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.12 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
A. In Paul’s farewell he give us instruction
1. Be Perfect means to be complete
2. To be equipped
3. Equipped with the things of the Spirit
4. Have all the tools you need to fight off satan’s attacks
B. Be of good comfort
1. Work side by side
2. Not against each other
3. Encourage one another, strengthen and console each other
4. Don’t put each other down, don’t weaken each other but console each other
C. Be of one mind
1. Have understanding about each other
2. Be wise
3. Agree together
4. Cherish the same views
5. Seek to strive for the same goal
6. Seek to do the will of the Father just as Christ did.
D. Live in peace
1. Cultivate peace
2. Keep the peace don’t cause strife
3. When you create strife you are allowing satan the victory
4. Live in harmony
III. Romans 12: gives us the principles for peace in our lives and in our church, 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
A. Don’t do evil toward each other
1. Don’t return evil with evil
2. Live peaceably with all men whenever possible.
3. We are not to avenge ourselves
4. But to allow wrath to pass us by
B. Vengeance is God’s
1. It is His job to repay evil
2. It is His job to take of those who offend you
3. It is His job to repay those who despitefully use you
4. He will repay those who persecute you that is His promise to us.
C. Don’t be overcome wanting to repay evil
1. Overcome evil by doing good
2. Too many times we lash out to get back at someone
3. Guess what you are trying to do what God has said He will do
4. You heap upon yourselves the vengeance God would have placed on them.
D. As we saw in Philippians 2:3 don’t do anything out of strife
1. Don’t so it out of spite
2. Or because you have hurt feelings
3. Turn it all over to God
4. He will issue out vengeance as He sees fit
IV. Philippians 2:2 is our Key too
A. Fulfill Paul’s joy
1. Let the Gospel be at work in your lives
2. Be like minded
3. That means having the mind of Christ
4. To do the will of the Father
B. Have the Same love
1. Love each other as God loves us
2. Don’t follow man
3. Follow God
4. God is the leader of this church
C. His word is to be our guide
1. God is the ultimate authority in Our church as well as every church
2. No one else has greater authority than God Himself
3. If you think that God isn’t the authority He will show you He is in charge.
4. God gave the church a Pastor for spiritual leadership, to feed the flock the truth of God’s word and to guide in business matters that relate to the Spiritual affairs of the church.
5. God gave the church Deacons to take care of the tables and distribution of those things collect at the tables.
6. God gave gifts to everyone in order that they use them for His purpose
D. You see God has a Perfect Order for the church to operate
1. We need to follow His leadership
2. We need to have the mind of Christ
3. We shouldn’t be as Solomon says some are operating out of wrath
4. We should be slow to anger
Peter brings it in perspective for us 1 Peter
V. Peter brings it in perspective for us 1 Peter 3:8-12 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
A. Again God says through Peter this time be of one mind
1. That mind is not of strife but as the Mind of Christ
2. Keep doing the Fathers will
3. You want to help around here Do it as Lead of the Spirit
4. If you plan on doing something that will cause strife then that is not lead of the Holy Spirit
5. God doesn’t cause strife
6. He causes Peace
B. Love each other as Brethren i.e. with Phileo Love
1. Brotherly love
2. Love as Family in other words
C. Be pitiful
1. Have compassion one to another
2. Don’t put each other down
3. Don’t shun one anther
4. But be compassionate to each other
D. Be courteous
1. Be mindful not to hurt their feelings
2. Be mindful of them as you would yourself
3. Treat them as the Golden Rule says
4. Matthew 7:12 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets
E. Never do evil because someone else has done evil to you
1. Do good to them despite how they treat you
2. Don’t set out to bring them hurt just because they hurt you
3. Remember Vengence is God’s
4. He will repay it is not your job.
F. Neither are you to give railing for railing
1. That is don’t be critical of someone
2. Just because they criticized you
3. Don’t do anything that will bring strife into the church
4. God doesn’t want a church of strife satan does
G. Bless them that do these things to you
1. Pray for them
2. Turn it over to God
3. He will fulfill his Promise
4. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.
VI. You say well that’s hard look back at 1 Peter 3:10-12 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
A. Want to see long life and good days
1. Refrain your tongue from evil
2. Let your lips speak no guile
B. Spit out evil and do good
1. Seek peace
2. Pursue peace not strife
3. Remember satan wants strife in churches
4. Satan wants people to say I am in charge of that church or this ministry of the church
5. But if each of us sees that God is in charge that it is His church and His ministry
6. Then we are going to let Him lead us in what we do not think of ourselves greater than we should
C. Peter tells us why we are live like this that is because the eyes of The Lord are over the righteous
1. The Lord Jesus is watching us
2. He knows our every move
3. He knows our motivation
4. He will bless or chasten as needed
D. His ears are open and ready to answer our prayers
1. We just need to be open and willing to hear and follow His guidance of our lives
2. For our personal life and the life of the church.
E. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil
1. God will chasten those who act out of strife to hurt someone
2. God will chasten those who despitefully use another believer
3. God will chasten those who tear a church apart
4. He will Chasten those who challenge His authority and the authority or leadership He has placed in the church.
Conclusion: Careful consideration of your actions in church is a requirement to live as God wants us to live. Rough words and crude actions stir up strife, God wants us to give a soft answer. How you talk to people can be the key to peace in the church and in your life. God wants us living in peace not in strife, strife comes when the tongue is rough but peace comes when a soft answer is given. Always give a soft answer and we need to work together for the cause of Christ not walk our own Path but God’s path under His leadership.
