Freedom from Broken Relationships –Make Peace
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: . . . hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy . . . and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
1. Offense is inevitable. but
2. Peace begins at home-with you. Decide to make peace & half the battle is won.
3. Trust God. Leave vengeance/retribution in the LORD’s hands.
4. Relationship is more important than the Right, or Power, or Riches or Respect you think you deserve
5. Replace Anger with Love-Watch your Words.
Jesus said “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1)
If you want to catch an animal you need a trap that will hold the animal until you are ready to collect it. But to get the animal in the trap you have to put something there that will attract it-bait. John Bevere says offense is like bait in the trap Satan sets for each one of us.
One of his most deceptive and insidious kinds of bait is something every Christian has encountered—offense. Actually, offense itself is not deadly—if it stays in the trap. But if we pick it up and consume it and feed on it in our hearts, then we have become offended. Offended people produce much fruit, such as hurt, anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. Some of the consequences of picking up an offense are insults, attacks, wounding, division, separation, broken relation- ships, betrayal, and backsliding.
Often those who are offended do not even realize they are trapped. They are oblivious to their condition because they are so focused on the wrong that was done to them. They are in denial. The most effective way for the enemy to blind us is to cause us to focus on ourselves. -John Bevere The Bait of Satan
So
1. Offense is inevitable. but
2. Peace begins at home. Decide to forgive & half the battle is won.
Joseph -Genesis 50
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
"Peace, like charity, begins at home." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
Moses -Numbers 12
Miriam & Aaron stood against Moses because he had married an African lady. God struck Miriam with leprosy. When Aaron repented and begged Moses forgiveness, Moses prayed for Miriam, and she was healed.
Contrast Moses attitude with a married couple who had a serious argument:
The couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically,
"Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
"Peace, like charity, begins at home." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
1. Offense is inevitable. But
2. Forgiveness and peace begin with you. Decide to forgive & half the battle is won.
3. Trust God-Leave vengeance/retribution in the LORD’s hands.
Three idiots are in the forest when they spot a set of tracks. Idiot No. 1 says, "Hey, deer tracks!" Idiot No. 2 says, "No, dog tracks!" Idiot No. 3 says, "You’re both crazy—they’re cow tracks!" They were still arguing when the train hit them. www.rd.com/jokesi
Usually our arguments are self-destructive. But the solution is found in placing the outcome in God’s hands.
As Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done” we have to trust God that He is in control & leave the outcome to Him.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Hebrews 12:17-19
If you consider it your job to defend your rights, to push for right treatment, to fight, offence and fighting will take over your life.
Even King David-the famous fighter, left many battles to the LORD.
David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.” 2 Samuel 16:11-12
1. Offense is inevitable. But
2. Forgiveness and peace begin with you. Decide to forgive & half the battle is won.
3. Trust God. Leave vengeance/retribution in the LORD’s hands.
4. Relationship is more important than the Right, or Power, or Riches or Respect you think you deserve
After having a row with his wife, a husband tries to make peace. ‘Why don’t you meet me halfway?’ he says. ‘I’ll admit you’re wrong if you admit I’m right.’
We all can relate to that joke, but the truth is our arguments are usually not so much about who is right and who is wrong, but about who has the right to win the argument.
When Robert Browning came into her life, Elizabeth Barrett was a 39-year-old invalid. Daughter of a jealous & dominating father, her first 4 books of poetry had been published when she was just 12 years old. At 15 she injured her spine, & the resulting confinement in London affected her lungs, & she came to be regarded as a permanent invalid, doomed to spend her life in bed. But still she kept writing. As time passed, the grief caused by the drowning of a brother, & her father’s refusal to allow any of his children to marry made her a recluse. Nearing 40, she seemed destined for a life of helplessness & gloom. But the publication of one of her books brought about a correspondence with another poet, a man by the name of Robert Browning. He visited her, & then they wrote often to each other, with him encouraging her to try to get out of bed & make every effort to resume a normal life. But this met with strong resistance from her parents. And they resented Robert for even suggesting it. They refused to allow him to visit her again, but the correspondence continued, & soon they were in love. Finally, more than a year later, she escaped the possessive vigilance of her father & they were secretly married. They immediately moved to Italy, & in that sunny climate it wasn’t long until she was strong & active once again. Her parents disowned her, but she wrote almost every week, telling them that she loved them & longed for a reconciliation. After 10 years of writing to them, she received a huge box in the mail that contained all the letters she had ever sent. Not a one of them had been opened!
So,
1. Offense is inevitable. But you don’t have to pick up the offense.
2. Peace begins at home. Decide to forgive & half the battle is won.
3. Trust God. Leave vengeance/retribution in the LORD’s hands.
4. Relationship is more important than the Right, or Power, or Riches or Respect you think you deserve
5. Replace Anger with Love-Watch your Words.
I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:20-21
1 John 4:7-8
1 Peter 4:8
And, yes, there are two parts to this section-Replace anger with Love and, Watch Your Words:
He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
Pastor Matthew Rogers asks: “Do you think it’s possible you and I ever keep God’s rules but overlook His intentions?” (sermoncentral.com)
Creed: on their recording “What If.” The song says…
I know I can’t hold the hate inside my mind
Cause what consumes your thoughts controls your life
So I’ll just ask one question…What if?
What if your words could be judged like a crime?
According to Jesus our words define us (Matthew 15:11).
If we are to be successful in becoming emissaries of peace, we must gain control over the tongue-over our words, and to both think and speak that which is good (James 3, Philippians 4:8).
1. Offense is inevitable. But you don’t have to pick up the offense.
2. Peace begins at home. Decide to forgive & half the battle is won.
3. Trust God. Leave vengeance/retribution in the LORD’s hands.
4. Relationship is more important than the Right, or Power, or Riches or Respect you think you deserve
5. Replace Anger with Love-Watch your Words.
