Fresh Start // the 500 Pound Gorilla in the Room-Conflict

Faith Arvada

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Fresh Start // the 500 Pound Gorilla in the Room-Conflict

April 21, 2024 • Matthew 5:23–24, Genesis 3:10, James 1:19, Proverbs 12:18, 1 Peter 3:7

Dealing with the 500-Pound Gorilla in the Room - Conflict

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

The effects of unresolved conflict in our relationships.

1. It can minimize our joy.

2. It can hinder our communication with God.

1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)

“…husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

3. It can hinder your sensitivity and worship to God.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

“…if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Dealing with relational conflict.

1. Do something to help bring reconciliation.

Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

“…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Genesis 3:10 (NIV)

“…I heard you in the garden; and I was afraid because I was naked, and so I hid.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

2. Be honest about what you have done wrong.

Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV)

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

“…Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

3. Listen and consider what they are saying.

James 1:19 (NIV)

“…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

4. Be intentional with the words you use.

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

5. Pursue reconciliation, not agreement.

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

“Blessed are the peacemakers…”

Fresh Start // Living in Freedom

May 26, 2024 • Ephesians 1:7–8, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Romans 6:6–7, Galatians 5:16, 1 Corinthians 15

Fresh Start – Living in Freedom Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” John 8:32 (NIV) “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Jesus wants you to live in freedom. 1. Freedom from guilt Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding” 2. Freedom from the expectations of others 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT) “…Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 3. Freedom from being a slave to your desires Romans 6:6-7 (NIV) “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” Galatians 5:16 (NLT) “…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” 4. Freedom from the fear of death Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV) “[Jesus] shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV) “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

Fresh Start // By My Spirit Says The Lord

May 19, 2024 • Jason King • Ezekiel 36:26–27, Luke 4:18–19, Zechariah 4:6, Acts 2:17, John 14:12

Fresh Start – By My Spirit Says The Lord Zachariah 4:6 (NIV) “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Acts 2:17 (NIV) “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” John 14:12 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” Acts 2:1-4 (ESV) “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” The work of the Holy Spirit 1. He changes you from the inside out. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV) “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” John 3:6-7 (ESV) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” 2. He empowers you to reach and heal the world. Luke 4:18-19 (ESV) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 3. He empowers believers to minister to one another. 1 Corinthians 14:12 (AMP) “…since you are eager for spiritual gifts…strive to excel in ways that build up the church.”

Fresh Start // Who is Leading You in Your Relationships?

May 12, 2024 • John 17:20–21, Philippians 2:5–8, John 10:10, John 3:16–17, Psalm 133

Fresh Start – Who is Leading You in Your Relationships? James 1:23-25 (NIV) “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what the have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” Galatians 5:13-26 (NIV) “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Consequences of the acts of the flesh 1. Strife James 3:16 (KJV) “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” 2. Influence decreases 2 Timothy 2:14 (NIV) “Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” 3. You misrepresent Christ to our world Matthew 5:13 (NIV) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” 4. You harden other's hearts against truth Romans 2:4 (NIV) “…God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” 5. Your heart becomes resistant to correction Proverbs 5:12-14 (NIV) “You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble…” 6. It poisons relationships Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV) “A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Benefits of the fruit of the Spirit. 1. Unity Psalm 133:1,3 (NKJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” “…For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.” 2. Our influence grows Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 3. We represent Christ well to our world John 17:20-21 (NIV) “…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” 4. It opens people's hearts to receive God’s truth John 3:16-17 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” 5. We are open to receiving correction and instruction Proverbs 9:9 (NIV) “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” 6. It cultivates relationships Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” 7. It will allow us to live life to the fullest John 10:10 (NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”