Recipe for Healthy Communication - Pastor Mel - Riverview Church

Riverview Church - Bonsall

Media Give App

Recipe for Healthy Communication - Pastor Mel

April 7, 2024 • Pastor Mel Svendsen

Give

Recipe for Healthy Communication - Pastor Mel

Life Changing Faith - Book of James

Bottom Line: Healthy communication strategies are essential in building healthy relationships. The Word of God gives us a plan by which we can relate in a godly way to one another and avoid a great deal of relational hurt.

Intro: The World's "Way" of Communicating:

1. Be easily offended by the slightest wrong committed against you.

2. Become angry and outraged.

3. Move from addressing the problem to attacking the person.

4. Resort to full name calling and negative labeling.

5. Speak over the other person, cutting that person off at every turn.

6. Ruin the reputation of the person that disagrees with you. (canceling.)

A. Believers should communicate in godly ways... no exceptions! James 1:19

B. A basic essential strategy for godly communication consists of three parts. Jam 1:19-21

Three basic perts of godly communication:

1. Quick to Listen

2. Slow to Speak

3. Slow to Anger

Closer Look: Quick to Listen/Slow to Speak. v. 19

a. "both ways" strategy...both individuals committed to listening.

b. Implies a desire to understand...and identify with the other person.

c. It conveys a commitment to truly understand the problem before rushing to a solution.

Slow to Anger. v19-20; Eph. 4:26;31

Where does our anger come from?

1. Past Hurts

-Heated Situations can remind us of past hurts

- We can lash out to prevent future hurt

-We can learn the wrong lessons from past experiences

-We can grow up with anger and think it's normal.

2. World View: Our Belief Structure

Life: Supposed to be fair, but it's not

People: Out to get me

Self: I dislike myself and will take it out on you

God: God is ignoring me and my problems and my life seems like it's out of control.

Now what: Identify anger detonators and pray that God will give you the strength to remove them.

Wisdom From Above - Part 2 | Message from Pastor Mel

July 7, 2024

Wisdom From Above - Part 2 | Message from Pastor Mel Life Changing Faith - The Book of James Bottom Line: Believers in Jesus Christ are to love the wisdom that comes from above and to reject any infiltration of the wisdom of this world into their lives because it only leads to separation from God and His amazing plan. Intro: 1. God's wisdom leads ultimately to good outcomes. James 3:13; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:6-8; Proverbs 3:5-6 a. God's wisdom naturally "shows up" in real life. v.13 b. God's wisdom is done in meekness v.13 Meekness: -not weakness -not about a prideful display of your intelligence or your "superiority" -Biblical meekness is seen in a person's desire that all the glory must go to God. 2. God's wisdom fights against jealousy and selfish ambition. James 3:14-18; 1 Corinthians 1:25; James 1:5 Adopting the wisdom of the world results in.... Loss of Focus | Lack of Perseverance | Not Serving | Avoiding Personal Time w/the Lord | OK w/ Offensive Actions | Reduced Desire for Teaching | Ignoring Internal Toxins | Numb to Sin & False Teachings Around You The Beautiful Qualities of Wisdom from Above: James 3:17 Sincere | Impartial | Full of Mercy... good fruits | Open to Reason | Peaceable | Pure

Danger of Discontentment | Message from Pastor Mel

July 14, 2024

Danger of Discontentment | Message from Pastor Mel Bottom Line: Discontentment is as old as sin itself. We must find in Christ all that we need and be content in every situation we find ourselves in as God moves us toward becoming a better person that is passionate about accomplishing God's goals for our lives. 1. Discontentment puts you in conflict with others and God. James 4:1-3 "Contentment": Being satisfied, thankful, and joyful for what you have through Christ with no need or demands for more. It is a powerful quality that aids a person in conquering all the circumstances of life. If Jesus Christ is your preeminent (superior to all others) passion, then it… A. Resolves the war within you v. 1 B. Reduces the war with others. v. 1 C. Reveals the way we should pray. v. 2-3 2. Discontentment is fueled when we align ourselves with the thinking of this world. James 4:4-6 “Friendship with the World” (Worldliness): When a believer exhibits actions, attitudes, or opinions that violate principles or commands in God’s Word. A. Friendship with the world = compromising what is right. v. 4 B. Compromising what is right = opposing God. v. 4 C. Opposing God = restricting the work of the Holy Spirit in us. v. 5 D. Restricting the work of the Holy Spirit = developing destructive pride. v. 6 3. Our contentment in Christ will be fueled by a humble, submissive spirit! James 4:7-10 Plan of Action: A. Submit to God. B. Resist the devil C. Draw near to God. D. Take steps toward purity E. Be willing to move from "brokenness" F. Remember the reward

Taming The Tongue | Message from Pastor Mel

May 5, 2024

Bottom Line: We, as believers with genuine faith, must be committed to honoring and obeying God in WHAT we say and the WAY in which we communicate with those around us. Intro: 1. Get your communication under God's control... completely! James 3:1-2 a. Teachers - Realize your _________________ v. 1 b. Believers - Realize your _________________ v. 2 2. Consider the impact of how you communicate... soberly. James 3:3-5 3. Identify the destructive tendencies in your communication.. humbly. James 3:6-8 4. Deal with your n eeded "speech changes"... aggressively. James 3:9-12 Now What? 1. Pray humbly asking the Lord to convict you of changes you need to make in your communication. 2. Ask a spouse or close friend which tendency exist in your life reassuring them that you won't become retaliatory or defensive.