WEBVTT
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Happy Saturday, folks.
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This is the Preacher Man here.
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Welcome to another episode, episode 28, as a matter of fact, of the Preacher Man podcast sermons and lessons.
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Want to go ahead and extend my apologies.
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It's been a couple of uh weeks since we've had a new upload, and that is simply because sometimes we have to, as parents of um adult young adult children, we gotta go to graduation ceremonies and whitecoat ceremonies, and we get to go and see the things that our kids are doing after college.
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So Michelle and I and my mother, along with my son, took a trip back down to San Antonio where my daughter uh received her white coat at p for PA school at UTSA.
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And uh I must say we are very proud of her, very proud of uh her hard work, and uh can't wait to see what the next levels are in her dis in her goal to become a physician's associate.
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Wishing her all the best on that.
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Catching back up now, though.
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So this is episode 28, like I said before.
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Uh we were, and that Sunday, we were wrapping up one mini-series on the court of three strands.
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And then the Sunday after that, we started up a new series, and I look forward to telling you about that here at the close of this podcast, we will have a back-to-back back to back podcast posting.
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You can find it on the um I'll put it on, I'll put it on the Facebook page and I'll put it on um on the um other um podcast channels as well.
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But this Sunday in particular was the Sunday we were wrapping up our quarter three strands series, and I really it was a an accumulation.
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We have spent so many time, so much time discussing the different kinds of relationships that we've had as Christians.
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The importance of those relationships when you incorporate the third strand, and that is a life surrendered to Jesus, allowing him to be Lord and Master of your life, and therefore, if he's Lord and Master of your life, he's Lord and Master of your relationships.
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But we all know and can acknowledge and recognize that in those relationships, no matter what kind they are, whether it be a husband and wife, a boss and employee, a church family, um teacher student you name it, the the the or just best friends, uh your good Christian friends sooner or later there's going to be a conflict.
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There's going to be a problem.
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There's going to be um just an issue that if not handled properly will bec allow that relationship to become stagnant uh to become infected by the devil and will not will have the opposite result of what the church is trying to accomplish, and that's um showing love through unity and harmony and peace.
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So this is a wrap-up, if you will, to understand what it means to have Christ centered conflict resolution and why it's so important for us to make it a high priority and the different relationships.
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So the sermon was preached on August the second, the first Sunday in August.
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The sermon title is Three Strand Strength During Conflict and our text was Matthew 5, Matthew 18, James, Proverbs 15, Colossians 3, and Philippians 2, 4.
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And of course, as normal, we will be back afterwards for some closing thoughts.
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Open your Bibles to the book of James.
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James chapter one is where we will get our start this morning.
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I know that many of us are excited about a new month, hopefully with some better temperatures and cooler weather a little bit.
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Uh I hope that we can accomplish all that we are trying to accomplish today.
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Uh, someone asked me if there was anything else we could cram into this Sunday, and sometimes that's how scheduling works, sometimes I guess.
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But we will we will find a way and push through.
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Um this morning I'm gonna uh start off by talking about something that many of us may not think about until we really experience it, experience it, and that's friction.
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Have you, I mean, and how many times of the day do you really stop and think about the concept or the science behind friction?
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Many everyday items and actions need friction in order to work.
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Walking shoes, vehicle brakes, pencils.
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Without friction, none of these objects would work properly.
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In fact, there would be a lot of slipping, sliding, and failure to adhere to the surface in which it already is trying to get onto.
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Shoes grip the ground, and feet so our feet can push forward without sliding.
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Tire tread, tires grip the road so the vehicle can move and move and turn or even stop safely.
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Brakes.
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We all know how brakes work.
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The pad squeeze the wheel to create friction needed to slow down.
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Friction rubs material at the tip of a pencil to leave a mark or a word on paper.
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Matches.
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I mean, maybe I'm when's the last time you used a book of matches?
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Matches uh slide against the rough part of a box to create heat from friction.
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Nails, screws, friction holds them tightly inside the wood or the wall after they are put into place.
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So as you can see and understand with what we described so far, there are many times and many places and many situations where a little friction is required and needed, and I would say, especially if your brakes are not so good, probably appreciated.
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But friction is not supposed to be a part of Christian relationships.
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In fact, it's quite the opposite: unity, harmony, peace, forgiveness, understanding, listening, sympathy.
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All of these things are where you need to be pointing at to or guiding yourself to instead of the idea of friction.
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This morning, we're we're I'm I'm trying to really wrap up all these relationships that we've been talking about for the last couple of Sundays.
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The relationship between you and God and Jesus with that court of three strands, your your relationships with your best friends or your coworkers or your employees, your relationships with the between a husband and a wife.
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All of these relationships require us to one, have some preventative maintenance involved so that these marriages and these relationships can continue to grow and be better.
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But we're also, as Christians, required to say, I'm going to be the example and I'm going to allow Jesus to be involved in this relationship so that cord of three strands can be secure and cannot be broken.
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And so when there is that cord of three strands, and it has to do some work because there is friction, there is conflict, there is problems, I am thankful for one thing that the Bible gives us plenty of passages and plenty of areas to go to where we as Christians know how to properly fix a relationship, properly repair a friendship, and do it the way Jesus wants us to do it.
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And do it in a way where Jesus can be involved in it.
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So as we go through this lesson this morning, this three-stranded strength during conflict, um, think about this question.
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When a conflict arises in your home, when a conflict shows up in a friendship, when a conflict appears into a body of believers, a church family, do your words escalate the tension?
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Or are they acting as a gentle bridge toward reconciliation?
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Conflict doesn't have to break a relationship.
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When you filter that conflict through grace and patience and the presence of Christ, believe it or not, that conflict can become the very anvil where a deeper unity can be forged.
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And so throughout this series, we have looked at how how a life anchored in Christ transforms our identity.
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It transforms our friendships, it transforms our marriages, and we have seen in many ways the beauty of that three-stranded cord.
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But can we can we be honest for a little bit here?
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Can we be real in our family this morning?
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Because it's no secret that whenever you bring in a bunch of imperfect human beings and you bring them into a close community, there's gonna be friction.
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It's bound to happen.
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Whether it's in a friendship, whether it's in a workplace, whether it's in a marriage, conflict is inevitable.
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Any couple who looks at you and tells you, oh, me and my spouse, we've never had an argument.
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I would say they probably haven't been married that long, but that might be just the wrong thing to say.
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The real test of a Christ-centered relationship isn't whether or not you experience conflict.
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As we've already said, conflict is gonna happen.
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There's gonna be a problem, there's gonna be an issue.
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The real test is how you handle it when it shows up.
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Do arguments, pull the cord of three strands apart, or is that three-stranded cord with you, the other person, and Jesus going to twist a little harder and stay the course, have the strength to withstand whatever's coming down the line.
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I believe that where we can get our start is to, when it comes to conflict resolution, is to really pump the brakes, take a breath, slow down, and instead of looking inward, start looking outward.
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Tension rises in relationships because of our human nature.
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We have this instinct in ourselves to want to react quickly and draw our swords, raise our shields, and defend ourselves.
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You're not gonna say that kind of stuff to me.
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You're not gonna use those words against me, you're not gonna accuse me of that.
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Here you go, bringing that problem up again, right?
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Defense mode, boom.
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We start throwing up walls left and right.
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Scripture calls us, contrary to popular belief, scripture calls us to do it totally the opposite.
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Totally the opposite.
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Have a totally even have a totally different posture and attitude.
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And if you don't like what I'm saying this morning, if you have a problem with what I'm saying this morning, I'm just a messenger.
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Read your Bible.
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James 1, 19.
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You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters.
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Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
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Everybody say quick to hear.
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Everybody say slow to speak, everybody say slow to anger.
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One of the reasons why I like one using James whenever I can, but also these kind of lessons pop up is because hey, this is where your fruit is going to show in your life.
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This is where your ability to understand what Jesus has done for you, what the Bible says about how you're supposed to live, what the and how the Holy Spirit is living in you is going to come in full focus.
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You ain't gonna be able to hide from it, you ain't gonna be able to sugarcoat it.
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You're either doing it or you're not.
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You know what you're doing?
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You are honoring the other person and showing them how much you love and respect them.
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It takes some time, it takes some training, it takes some understanding to know what it actually means to look beyond ourselves.
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And with that, we can turn to what Paul says in Philippi.
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Because Philippians challenges us further.
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Philippians tells us to not to look at the oh that's right, that's not right.
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I must have had that in there.
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I'm sorry.
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Philippians uh chapter 2, verse 4 tells us to that we're not only to look at our own interest, but we're also to look at the interest of others.
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Yes, you need to have self-evaluation, you need to know why you you're hurt or why you are upset or why you're feeling the way you're feeling.
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But as a Christian who is more concerned about the other people outside of your life, you have to be willing to understand what they're going through as well.
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News flash, it's not always about you.
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Conflict starts when we demand our own way.
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Where did we get this sense of entitlement?
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Conflict starts when we demand our own way, but here's the good news this morning: peace can begin when we consider the heart and the perspective of the person standing in front of us.
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And when we start having a little more understanding, when we start opening up our heart and looking forward, guess what happens next?
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Not angry words, not spiteful words, but gentle words come into play.
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Am I going the wrong way, Morgan?
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Um, Proverbs 15, one.
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A gentle answer, thank you, turns away wrath.
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But a harsh word stirs up anger.
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What are your words like?
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Well, I I'm I'm good, preacher.
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Yeah, but you're here.
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You know how to behave when you're here.
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What are your words like when you're out in the workplace?
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When you're on that board meeting.
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When you're dealing with those kids on Monday, teachers.
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What's your actions like?
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Who are you representing?
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Soft answers will act like a buffer.
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And it keeps the disagreements from turning into destructive decisions.
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Something to think about as we consider how we're supposed to act and how we're supposed to handle conflict when conflicts come up.
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There's something to be said also about how we're called to clear the air a little bit.
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Clear the air before we go any further.
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Why can't why do conflicts or why is conflict resolution?
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So difficult for us to comprehend and process.
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I'll tell you why, if we're being honest here, because we tend to major on the faults of the other person, and at the same time, we're going to be working, making sure that we are minimizing our own faults.
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And all the while we're doing that, you know what we're doing?
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We're letting bitterness take root and quickly grow.
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Did you know that Jesus places an extraordinary level of urgency when it comes to the concept of making things right?
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In the Sermon on the Mount that was read this morning, he gives us a striking picture in Matthew 5, starting in verse 23.
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Therefore, he says, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and then remember that your brother or sister has something against you, you leave your gift there in front of the altar, and then go and be reconciled to them, and then come and offer your gift.
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Do you see the priority of the relationship in this verse?
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Notice that Jesus doesn't tell us to wrap up our religious stuff that we're doing, wrap up our religious duties that we're trying to fulfill, and because obviously religious stuff is way more important than people according to what they were thinking.
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He commands us to hit the pause button.
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And first go deal with that broken relationship.
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We believe that every act that we do daily could be and should be a spiritual act of worship.
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Wasn't that what Paul says in Romans?
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So here's how these two things connect.
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You pause what you're daily doing to glorify God, you go and you fix a relationship, you mend a hurt, you get forgiveness, or you receive that forgiveness, and then you go back and continue in your daily act of spiritual worship.
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He commands us to pause, to drop what we're doing and fix and prioritize reconciliation.
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That requires us to do this little thing that many people don't want to do, and that's take some initiative.
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Whether someone has sinned against you or you have caused an offense, God started, God has a standard, and that standard is in, it is an active pursuit of peace.
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Mercy and the willingness to have a little humility in ourselves are the glue that can keep that three-stranded cord from snapping when the pressure comes.
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Literally, a blueprint on how to resolve a situation.
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And it's direct, but it also is just overflowing with grace.
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When the conflict hits, our human side tends to want to do one of two things.
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And I've seen him, I've seen both, I've experienced both, and yes, I will confess to you today, brothers and sisters, I have done both.
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Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, and cover it up.
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Don't worry about it.
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All that does is it allows bitterness to fester.
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The other thing we do, and this is a favorite for many, is to broadcast it to everyone in the world, except for the person who's done me wrong.
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Except for the person we have issue with.
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Matthew 18, starting in verse 15.
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It says this, now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private.
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If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
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But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that the one testimony of two or three witnesses, every matter may be confirmed.
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And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
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And if he refuses to listen to even the church, he is to be as to you, a gentile or a tax collector.
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Private steps.
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Private, one-on-one steps is the starting point.
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Jesus wants us to cut through and stop with the tendency toward gossip and stop with the temptations of public retaliation and deal with it one-on-one.
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True Christian conflict resolution starts with a face-to-face, with a heart-to-heart, with a protecting the dignity of the other person while seeking restoration.
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And so this blueprint is put out before of us.
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And it comes no surprise to me that the blueprint, if you step back and look at a blueprint, the blueprint is in the shape of a bridge.
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And the bridge is titled community.
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Because if they listen, praise the Lord.
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You've won your brother or sister over.
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If not, it takes a little more work, then Jesus says, take someone else with you along so that every matter may be established by one or two witnesses.
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Jesus wants us to bring strength to the community.
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Jesus wants us to bring strength to the church family, into the pro in and wants us to bring all that into the healing process that helps fix what is broken.
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And I guarantee you this when you follow the pattern Christ put in the in place for us to follow, instead of trying to use our own defensive instincts, conflict stops being a weapon.
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Because we know what this weapon does.
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The weapon called conflict cares relationships and it ruins families and workplaces and churches.
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And instead, when we do the pattern that Christ put in for us here in Matthew 18, it becomes the opportunity for a true lasting reconciliation.
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Why, preacher?
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Why in the world?
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Why in the world would you want to bring this up and talk about this?
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Why?
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Because I like nicknames.
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I do.
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I like nicknames.
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And one of the reasons why I like nicknames so much is because sometimes I don't remember everybody's name.
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But I can give you a nickname and it'll stick.
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I'll know who you are.
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So sometimes nicknames come because I haven't quite recalled your name yet.
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But when I call you Booger Bridges, it's because I love you.
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When I call you knucklehead, it's because that's a term of endearment.
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Yes, I act like a knucklehead too.
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But buddy, friend, pal, whatever, I like nicknames.
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I really like it when people give me a nickname.
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Jesus, and when I and I I say all this to say this, Jesus didn't just offer a suggestion when it comes that we, you know, just look, Jesus didn't say this.
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Just try your hardest to just try to get along.
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Jesus didn't say that.
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No.
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And if you if you if you have if you have been thinking that for a while, I'm sorry, you've been misled.
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Make sure that you understand this.
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Jesus requires us to have unity and harmony.
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Because that is the only way we're going to be able to not only love each other, but love the people out in that community.
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Well, Blaine, I thought love was the most important thing of all.
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Believe me, I it is.
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Love is what is what love is what it's all about.
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But if there isn't any harmony and unity in the body, how can that love even start to be shown?
00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:04.319
And I am deadly serious about this.
00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.160
I've seen too many churches split.
00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:18.319
I've seen too many families never mend up and kiss and make up after something just incredibly dumb that happened took place.
00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.720
I used to say it breaks my heart.
00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.240
Now it just makes me mad.
00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:45.359
Unity and harmony in the church, in the body of Christ, no matter if we're here on Sunday morning or working together in the workplace or seeing each other down at the Walmarts, unity and harmony in the family of Christ is key.
00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.799
Can I get an amen?
00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:55.279
Jesus doesn't suggest that we try to get along.
00:33:56.160 --> 00:34:18.400
Jesus places a profound blessing when it comes to those who are actively working toward unity and harmony and are willing to put in the work to heal the places that are broken.
00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:27.280
Going back to his Sermon on the Mount, he says this blessed are the peacemakers.
00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:33.519
For they will be called sons of God.
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:36.880
Which nickname do you want in that sentence?
00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:41.760
Because if you want one, then you gotta have the other.
00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.039
You want to be called a son?
00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.800
You want to be called a child of God?
00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:57.280
Then quit looking at peacemaking as just a spiritual gift that someone else has and start incorporating it into yours.
00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:02.400
You want to be a peacemaker?
00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:05.920
Then you need to figure out what the good Lord wants from you first.
00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:12.480
Now I think I've already told you, but don't let me stop you from reading and studying on your own.
00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:14.400
That's what you need to do.
00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:27.440
A peacemaker doesn't sweep conflict under the rug, and a peacemaker really doesn't try to fuel the fire with gossip.
00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.719
No.
00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:51.360
Instead, a peacemaker steps in and he leads with his chin, knowing full well that the tension is probably gonna take a swipe at him and might connect, but he's willing to take the hit.
00:35:53.840 --> 00:36:05.280
And he walks directly into that tension because he's armed with the most powerful, two most powerful things that a Christian can carry, and that's love and that's grace.
00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:14.239
And a peacemaker helps bring that third strand into the middle of an argument.
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:27.679
Matthew, going back to Matthew 18, it doesn't end with Jesus saying you treat the person who doesn't listen, you do treat him like a thing in a tax collector or a heathen.
00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:37.840
You keep on reading Matthew 18, and you'll see that that conflict resolution continues down and makes you understand something that has been taken, sometimes gets taken out of context.
00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:48.559
That ain't got nothing to do with worship or church.
00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:51.760
It's got everything to do with conflict resolution.
00:36:53.280 --> 00:37:01.199
If two Christian people are feuding, where else do you think Jesus is going to be?
00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:10.880
If two Christian people are celebrating and praising the Lord, where else do you think Jesus is going to want to be?
00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:19.840
It's real simple this morning.
00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:27.760
Conflict, conflict doesn't have to break a relationship.
00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:53.440
When that conflict gets, starts going through those filters of grace, starts going through those filters of patience, starts going through that presence of the of Christ, conflict can become an anvil where deeper unity is forged, and love can flourish.
00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:44.960
One of the things that comes up sometimes in these relationships or in these conflicts is understandably so when emotions get involved, when feelings get um irritated, if you will, you could say, yeah, when feelings get irritated, the uh tendency is to not be able to fully work it down to its source of the problem.
00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:54.880
And that can only some well try it again.
00:39:55.039 --> 00:39:56.000
Three, two, one.
00:39:56.719 --> 00:40:04.079
Now getting to the source of the problem is gonna take some work.
00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:20.159
It's gonna take some some thinking, it's gonna take some prayer because you know, with all the kinds of things that take place in the world today, it's understandable why some people can say, I don't know why my feelings are hurt.
00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:22.079
I don't know why I'm feeling this way.
00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:31.760
Um I feel like there's this and that, and I don't understand it completely, but I know that I don't feel resolved in this situation.
00:40:35.519 --> 00:41:22.480
And so to me, and this is just me thinking, this is this is my this is my psychology, this is the way my brain works, is I I I would say one of the first questions that you need to ask yourself if if you are involved in a conflict with a brother or a sister in Christ, if you are involved with a conflict and you don't feel like the issue is resolved, then it could be entirely possible that the start or the creation of the conflict, it it could be possible that you haven't gotten to the source.
00:41:24.800 --> 00:41:49.280
And so that requires you to unfortunately kind of dig up some of those feelings and those emotions to try to understand and gain insight on what was it or and or who was it that sinned against you.
00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:56.800
And you gotta be honest with yourself, you've got to be real with yourself.
00:41:56.960 --> 00:41:59.199
You can't just be going off.
00:41:59.280 --> 00:42:10.480
I mean, yes, I understand your feelings are understandably, you know, right there in front of you, and and and they play a big part in all this, but you gotta also incorporate some logic.
00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:26.000
You gotta let your brain come in and help you sort through all those feelings and ask yourself honestly who sinned or who hurt you.
00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:37.679
Because if you can figure out that, then you know who to go to in order to get the resolution.
00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.719
Well, I shouldn't have to, Preacher Man.
00:42:42.960 --> 00:42:47.360
They should know that they've hurt my feelings, they should know that I'm upset, and they should come to me.
00:42:51.280 --> 00:43:09.599
In a perfect world, yeah, I can see how that would take place, but unfortunately we can s as human beings, we can get so caught up with uh other things that are taking place in our lives, and we can get so with so many issues and so many things happening.
00:43:11.119 --> 00:43:24.400
It could be entirely possible that the person who hurt you may not even realize that this issue has not been fully resolved.
00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:37.519
And if he is a child of God and if he takes that relationship seriously and responsibly, then they are going to want to resolve this with you.
00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:58.559
Now on the other hand, you might also come to realize that you're not really the part you're not really part of the resolution because the problem.
00:44:00.320 --> 00:44:03.280
Wasn't necessarily with you.
00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:17.280
And so your feelings, although warranted, are about something that happened to someone else who you care about.
00:44:21.760 --> 00:44:30.639
And therefore, you feel like you need to be you need to resolve the resolution also.
00:44:33.679 --> 00:44:37.519
And so that takes some understanding as well.
00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:40.079
Sometimes the problem isn't you.
00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:42.800
Sometimes the problem is you.
00:44:44.320 --> 00:44:48.000
And sometimes the problem isn't about you at all.
00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:55.039
You have just projected your opinion and your feelings onto the situation.
00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:59.360
So you can make it a problem for you.
00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:10.000
Conflict resolution takes a lot of self-awareness and honesty.
00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:29.280
Because in the end, if you realize that you are the reason for the conflict, if you if you if you are the guilty party in all of this and you haven't fully resolved it, then it is up to you to seek out that person.
00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:31.679
Like we said, like it like it was said in scripture.
00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:48.320
If you have something against your brother, you leave your gift at the altar and you go and work it out before you participate in a activity that is in part of a part of your worship to the Lord.
00:45:51.519 --> 00:46:00.000
Like I said, it takes real honesty to figure out what the deal is.
00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:20.960
It takes time, it takes prayer, but we can always rest assured that in those situations the Holy Spirit's working, and Jesus is wanting to be involved, and Jesus is going to guide us both because that court of three strands works both ways.
00:46:32.159 --> 00:46:34.639
And I was I said it before and I'll say it again.
00:46:34.880 --> 00:46:43.440
When Matthew 18 is done correctly, it works 100% of the time.
00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:59.119
But if someone throws their idea or their suggestion or tries to make it better because they think they can, it's not going to work.
00:46:59.920 --> 00:47:01.679
It's not going to work at all.
00:47:03.280 --> 00:47:06.239
As always, we would love to hear from you.
00:47:06.559 --> 00:47:12.320
My email address where you can contact me is preacherman1178 at gmail.com.
00:47:12.400 --> 00:47:15.920
That's preacherman1178 at gmail.com.
00:47:16.079 --> 00:47:24.239
Also, don't forget uh the Preacher Man Podcast has a Facebook page, and you can do a search on Facebook, find the Preacher Man podcast, follow it.
00:47:24.400 --> 00:47:29.039
You can message me on the Preacher Man Podcast Facebook page as well.
00:47:29.280 --> 00:47:44.320
And you never know if you uh have a question or a comment or anything that you that's related to anything we've talked about on this podcast, I would love to hear from you, and we might just talk about it on the next podcast coming up next.
00:47:44.480 --> 00:47:47.360
Speaking of next podcast, it will be a back-to-back podcast.
00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:51.280
We're gonna do, we're gonna try to I'm gonna try to get episode 29 up.
00:47:51.519 --> 00:47:57.119
It's our the start of our new miniseries called Fix the Cracks.
00:47:57.519 --> 00:48:27.920
We are working on um the problems in our lives, and we dip into or we jump into this idea of what does it mean when the Lord takes over to help us repair whatever it is that's got going on in our lives, where we let God fix the cracks, and what does restoration and renewal look alike look like for the Christian?
00:48:28.079 --> 00:48:31.199
Uh, can't you can't wait to get it uploaded for you to listen to.
00:48:31.440 --> 00:48:32.639
This is the Preacher Man.
00:48:32.719 --> 00:48:33.679
We're gonna get back at it.
00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:39.679
Hope you have a blessed day, and always remember who you are and whose you are.
00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:22.719
Happy Saturday, folks.
00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.160
This is the Preacher Man here.
00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:32.719
Welcome to another episode, episode 28, as a matter of fact, of the Preacher Man podcast sermons and lessons.
00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:37.039
Want to go ahead and extend my apologies.
00:00:37.359 --> 00:01:04.640
It's been a couple of uh weeks since we've had a new upload, and that is simply because sometimes we have to, as parents of um adult young adult children, we gotta go to graduation ceremonies and whitecoat ceremonies, and we get to go and see the things that our kids are doing after college.
00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:21.760
So Michelle and I and my mother, along with my son, took a trip back down to San Antonio where my daughter uh received her white coat at p for PA school at UTSA.
00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:39.840
And uh I must say we are very proud of her, very proud of uh her hard work, and uh can't wait to see what the next levels are in her dis in her goal to become a physician's associate.
00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:42.799
Wishing her all the best on that.
00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:45.359
Catching back up now, though.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:47.760
So this is episode 28, like I said before.
00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:58.480
Uh we were, and that Sunday, we were wrapping up one mini-series on the court of three strands.
00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:16.639
And then the Sunday after that, we started up a new series, and I look forward to telling you about that here at the close of this podcast, we will have a back-to-back back to back podcast posting.
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:29.120
You can find it on the um I'll put it on, I'll put it on the Facebook page and I'll put it on um on the um other um podcast channels as well.
00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:40.159
But this Sunday in particular was the Sunday we were wrapping up our quarter three strands series, and I really it was a an accumulation.
00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:49.919
We have spent so many time, so much time discussing the different kinds of relationships that we've had as Christians.
00:02:51.759 --> 00:03:09.919
The importance of those relationships when you incorporate the third strand, and that is a life surrendered to Jesus, allowing him to be Lord and Master of your life, and therefore, if he's Lord and Master of your life, he's Lord and Master of your relationships.
00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:41.039
But we all know and can acknowledge and recognize that in those relationships, no matter what kind they are, whether it be a husband and wife, a boss and employee, a church family, um teacher student you name it, the the the or just best friends, uh your good Christian friends sooner or later there's going to be a conflict.
00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:42.960
There's going to be a problem.
00:03:44.639 --> 00:04:22.800
There's going to be um just an issue that if not handled properly will bec allow that relationship to become stagnant uh to become infected by the devil and will not will have the opposite result of what the church is trying to accomplish, and that's um showing love through unity and harmony and peace.
00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:48.000
So this is a wrap-up, if you will, to understand what it means to have Christ centered conflict resolution and why it's so important for us to make it a high priority and the different relationships.
00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:52.560
So the sermon was preached on August the second, the first Sunday in August.
00:04:52.959 --> 00:05:11.519
The sermon title is Three Strand Strength During Conflict and our text was Matthew 5, Matthew 18, James, Proverbs 15, Colossians 3, and Philippians 2, 4.
00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:17.600
And of course, as normal, we will be back afterwards for some closing thoughts.
00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:50.319
Open your Bibles to the book of James.
00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:55.120
James chapter one is where we will get our start this morning.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:13.519
I know that many of us are excited about a new month, hopefully with some better temperatures and cooler weather a little bit.
00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:23.600
Uh I hope that we can accomplish all that we are trying to accomplish today.
00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:32.000
Uh, someone asked me if there was anything else we could cram into this Sunday, and sometimes that's how scheduling works, sometimes I guess.
00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:37.040
But we will we will find a way and push through.
00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:49.360
Um this morning I'm gonna uh start off by talking about something that many of us may not think about until we really experience it, experience it, and that's friction.
00:06:50.560 --> 00:07:00.480
Have you, I mean, and how many times of the day do you really stop and think about the concept or the science behind friction?
00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:12.160
Many everyday items and actions need friction in order to work.
00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:18.319
Walking shoes, vehicle brakes, pencils.
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:24.000
Without friction, none of these objects would work properly.
00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:34.000
In fact, there would be a lot of slipping, sliding, and failure to adhere to the surface in which it already is trying to get onto.
00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:41.120
Shoes grip the ground, and feet so our feet can push forward without sliding.
00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:51.040
Tire tread, tires grip the road so the vehicle can move and move and turn or even stop safely.
00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.399
Brakes.
00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.240
We all know how brakes work.
00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:59.199
The pad squeeze the wheel to create friction needed to slow down.
00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:12.160
Friction rubs material at the tip of a pencil to leave a mark or a word on paper.
00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:13.920
Matches.
00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:18.639
I mean, maybe I'm when's the last time you used a book of matches?
00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:26.319
Matches uh slide against the rough part of a box to create heat from friction.
00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:37.679
Nails, screws, friction holds them tightly inside the wood or the wall after they are put into place.
00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:57.360
So as you can see and understand with what we described so far, there are many times and many places and many situations where a little friction is required and needed, and I would say, especially if your brakes are not so good, probably appreciated.
00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:11.679
But friction is not supposed to be a part of Christian relationships.
00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:32.240
In fact, it's quite the opposite: unity, harmony, peace, forgiveness, understanding, listening, sympathy.
00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:42.799
All of these things are where you need to be pointing at to or guiding yourself to instead of the idea of friction.
00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:53.840
This morning, we're we're I'm I'm trying to really wrap up all these relationships that we've been talking about for the last couple of Sundays.
00:09:54.240 --> 00:10:10.559
The relationship between you and God and Jesus with that court of three strands, your your relationships with your best friends or your coworkers or your employees, your relationships with the between a husband and a wife.
00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:25.360
All of these relationships require us to one, have some preventative maintenance involved so that these marriages and these relationships can continue to grow and be better.
00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:44.879
But we're also, as Christians, required to say, I'm going to be the example and I'm going to allow Jesus to be involved in this relationship so that cord of three strands can be secure and cannot be broken.
00:10:45.120 --> 00:11:25.519
And so when there is that cord of three strands, and it has to do some work because there is friction, there is conflict, there is problems, I am thankful for one thing that the Bible gives us plenty of passages and plenty of areas to go to where we as Christians know how to properly fix a relationship, properly repair a friendship, and do it the way Jesus wants us to do it.
00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:29.279
And do it in a way where Jesus can be involved in it.
00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:39.360
So as we go through this lesson this morning, this three-stranded strength during conflict, um, think about this question.
00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:57.679
When a conflict arises in your home, when a conflict shows up in a friendship, when a conflict appears into a body of believers, a church family, do your words escalate the tension?
00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:07.279
Or are they acting as a gentle bridge toward reconciliation?
00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:15.360
Conflict doesn't have to break a relationship.
00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:40.879
When you filter that conflict through grace and patience and the presence of Christ, believe it or not, that conflict can become the very anvil where a deeper unity can be forged.
00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:52.720
And so throughout this series, we have looked at how how a life anchored in Christ transforms our identity.
00:12:54.399 --> 00:13:05.200
It transforms our friendships, it transforms our marriages, and we have seen in many ways the beauty of that three-stranded cord.
00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:13.759
But can we can we be honest for a little bit here?
00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:20.559
Can we be real in our family this morning?
00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:35.679
Because it's no secret that whenever you bring in a bunch of imperfect human beings and you bring them into a close community, there's gonna be friction.
00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:40.000
It's bound to happen.
00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:50.000
Whether it's in a friendship, whether it's in a workplace, whether it's in a marriage, conflict is inevitable.
00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:59.279
Any couple who looks at you and tells you, oh, me and my spouse, we've never had an argument.
00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:06.799
I would say they probably haven't been married that long, but that might be just the wrong thing to say.
00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:18.080
The real test of a Christ-centered relationship isn't whether or not you experience conflict.
00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:21.919
As we've already said, conflict is gonna happen.
00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.960
There's gonna be a problem, there's gonna be an issue.
00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:32.159
The real test is how you handle it when it shows up.
00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:59.120
Do arguments, pull the cord of three strands apart, or is that three-stranded cord with you, the other person, and Jesus going to twist a little harder and stay the course, have the strength to withstand whatever's coming down the line.
00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:27.279
I believe that where we can get our start is to, when it comes to conflict resolution, is to really pump the brakes, take a breath, slow down, and instead of looking inward, start looking outward.
00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:35.279
Tension rises in relationships because of our human nature.
00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:46.000
We have this instinct in ourselves to want to react quickly and draw our swords, raise our shields, and defend ourselves.
00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:49.120
You're not gonna say that kind of stuff to me.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:54.799
You're not gonna use those words against me, you're not gonna accuse me of that.
00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:59.519
Here you go, bringing that problem up again, right?
00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:02.320
Defense mode, boom.
00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:07.039
We start throwing up walls left and right.
00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:15.840
Scripture calls us, contrary to popular belief, scripture calls us to do it totally the opposite.
00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.000
Totally the opposite.
00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:24.639
Have a totally even have a totally different posture and attitude.
00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:34.799
And if you don't like what I'm saying this morning, if you have a problem with what I'm saying this morning, I'm just a messenger.
00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.720
Read your Bible.
00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:39.600
James 1, 19.
00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:43.600
You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters.
00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:52.639
Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.519
Everybody say quick to hear.
00:16:56.559 --> 00:17:01.360
Everybody say slow to speak, everybody say slow to anger.
00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:20.559
One of the reasons why I like one using James whenever I can, but also these kind of lessons pop up is because hey, this is where your fruit is going to show in your life.
00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:36.319
This is where your ability to understand what Jesus has done for you, what the Bible says about how you're supposed to live, what the and how the Holy Spirit is living in you is going to come in full focus.
00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:42.799
You ain't gonna be able to hide from it, you ain't gonna be able to sugarcoat it.
00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:46.799
You're either doing it or you're not.
00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.759
You know what you're doing?
00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:07.680
You are honoring the other person and showing them how much you love and respect them.
00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:20.640
It takes some time, it takes some training, it takes some understanding to know what it actually means to look beyond ourselves.
00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:25.920
And with that, we can turn to what Paul says in Philippi.
00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:31.039
Because Philippians challenges us further.
00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:38.960
Philippians tells us to not to look at the oh that's right, that's not right.
00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.720
I must have had that in there.
00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.279
I'm sorry.
00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:50.799
Philippians uh chapter 2, verse 4 tells us to that we're not only to look at our own interest, but we're also to look at the interest of others.
00:18:52.880 --> 00:19:03.680
Yes, you need to have self-evaluation, you need to know why you you're hurt or why you are upset or why you're feeling the way you're feeling.
00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:13.920
But as a Christian who is more concerned about the other people outside of your life, you have to be willing to understand what they're going through as well.
00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:17.440
News flash, it's not always about you.
00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:24.960
Conflict starts when we demand our own way.
00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:32.079
Where did we get this sense of entitlement?
00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:46.319
Conflict starts when we demand our own way, but here's the good news this morning: peace can begin when we consider the heart and the perspective of the person standing in front of us.
00:19:49.759 --> 00:20:00.559
And when we start having a little more understanding, when we start opening up our heart and looking forward, guess what happens next?
00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:12.799
Not angry words, not spiteful words, but gentle words come into play.
00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:15.440
Am I going the wrong way, Morgan?
00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.960
Um, Proverbs 15, one.
00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:24.160
A gentle answer, thank you, turns away wrath.
00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:27.759
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.920
What are your words like?
00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:39.440
Well, I I'm I'm good, preacher.
00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:41.039
Yeah, but you're here.
00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.640
You know how to behave when you're here.
00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:49.599
What are your words like when you're out in the workplace?
00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:53.680
When you're on that board meeting.
00:20:55.359 --> 00:21:00.079
When you're dealing with those kids on Monday, teachers.
00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.319
What's your actions like?
00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.599
Who are you representing?
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:18.079
Soft answers will act like a buffer.
00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:27.200
And it keeps the disagreements from turning into destructive decisions.
00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:39.359
Something to think about as we consider how we're supposed to act and how we're supposed to handle conflict when conflicts come up.
00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:49.680
There's something to be said also about how we're called to clear the air a little bit.
00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:54.160
Clear the air before we go any further.
00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:59.759
Why can't why do conflicts or why is conflict resolution?
00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:04.240
So difficult for us to comprehend and process.
00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:22.319
I'll tell you why, if we're being honest here, because we tend to major on the faults of the other person, and at the same time, we're going to be working, making sure that we are minimizing our own faults.
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:29.359
And all the while we're doing that, you know what we're doing?
00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:33.440
We're letting bitterness take root and quickly grow.
00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:43.519
Did you know that Jesus places an extraordinary level of urgency when it comes to the concept of making things right?
00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:53.759
In the Sermon on the Mount that was read this morning, he gives us a striking picture in Matthew 5, starting in verse 23.
00:22:54.240 --> 00:23:10.160
Therefore, he says, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and then remember that your brother or sister has something against you, you leave your gift there in front of the altar, and then go and be reconciled to them, and then come and offer your gift.
00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:14.160
Do you see the priority of the relationship in this verse?
00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:32.720
Notice that Jesus doesn't tell us to wrap up our religious stuff that we're doing, wrap up our religious duties that we're trying to fulfill, and because obviously religious stuff is way more important than people according to what they were thinking.
00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:39.839
He commands us to hit the pause button.
00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:51.279
And first go deal with that broken relationship.
00:23:54.319 --> 00:24:05.440
We believe that every act that we do daily could be and should be a spiritual act of worship.
00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:08.160
Wasn't that what Paul says in Romans?
00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:14.480
So here's how these two things connect.
00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:34.000
You pause what you're daily doing to glorify God, you go and you fix a relationship, you mend a hurt, you get forgiveness, or you receive that forgiveness, and then you go back and continue in your daily act of spiritual worship.
00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:42.000
He commands us to pause, to drop what we're doing and fix and prioritize reconciliation.
00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:48.079
That requires us to do this little thing that many people don't want to do, and that's take some initiative.
00:24:48.559 --> 00:25:07.039
Whether someone has sinned against you or you have caused an offense, God started, God has a standard, and that standard is in, it is an active pursuit of peace.
00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:27.519
Mercy and the willingness to have a little humility in ourselves are the glue that can keep that three-stranded cord from snapping when the pressure comes.
00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:38.559
Literally, a blueprint on how to resolve a situation.
00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:49.839
And it's direct, but it also is just overflowing with grace.
00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:59.680
When the conflict hits, our human side tends to want to do one of two things.
00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:09.519
And I've seen him, I've seen both, I've experienced both, and yes, I will confess to you today, brothers and sisters, I have done both.
00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:17.519
Sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, and cover it up.
00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.440
Don't worry about it.
00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:23.920
All that does is it allows bitterness to fester.
00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:40.480
The other thing we do, and this is a favorite for many, is to broadcast it to everyone in the world, except for the person who's done me wrong.
00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:45.519
Except for the person we have issue with.
00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:07.039
Matthew 18, starting in verse 15.
00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:12.720
It says this, now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private.
00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:16.240
If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:28.319
But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that the one testimony of two or three witnesses, every matter may be confirmed.
00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:31.920
And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:38.799
And if he refuses to listen to even the church, he is to be as to you, a gentile or a tax collector.
00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.880
Private steps.
00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:50.160
Private, one-on-one steps is the starting point.
00:27:50.799 --> 00:28:05.039
Jesus wants us to cut through and stop with the tendency toward gossip and stop with the temptations of public retaliation and deal with it one-on-one.
00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:25.680
True Christian conflict resolution starts with a face-to-face, with a heart-to-heart, with a protecting the dignity of the other person while seeking restoration.
00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:32.079
And so this blueprint is put out before of us.
00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:40.160
And it comes no surprise to me that the blueprint, if you step back and look at a blueprint, the blueprint is in the shape of a bridge.
00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:45.680
And the bridge is titled community.
00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:51.759
Because if they listen, praise the Lord.
00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:54.160
You've won your brother or sister over.
00:28:55.119 --> 00:29:07.599
If not, it takes a little more work, then Jesus says, take someone else with you along so that every matter may be established by one or two witnesses.
00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:12.240
Jesus wants us to bring strength to the community.
00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:24.480
Jesus wants us to bring strength to the church family, into the pro in and wants us to bring all that into the healing process that helps fix what is broken.
00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:47.039
And I guarantee you this when you follow the pattern Christ put in the in place for us to follow, instead of trying to use our own defensive instincts, conflict stops being a weapon.
00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:53.759
Because we know what this weapon does.
00:29:55.119 --> 00:30:10.799
The weapon called conflict cares relationships and it ruins families and workplaces and churches.
00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:24.880
And instead, when we do the pattern that Christ put in for us here in Matthew 18, it becomes the opportunity for a true lasting reconciliation.
00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.799
Why, preacher?
00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.559
Why in the world?
00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:35.359
Why in the world would you want to bring this up and talk about this?
00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.799
Why?
00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:43.200
Because I like nicknames.
00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.400
I do.
00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.920
I like nicknames.
00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:52.160
And one of the reasons why I like nicknames so much is because sometimes I don't remember everybody's name.
00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:54.720
But I can give you a nickname and it'll stick.
00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.559
I'll know who you are.
00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:05.839
So sometimes nicknames come because I haven't quite recalled your name yet.
00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:09.359
But when I call you Booger Bridges, it's because I love you.
00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:14.960
When I call you knucklehead, it's because that's a term of endearment.
00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:17.599
Yes, I act like a knucklehead too.
00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:28.319
But buddy, friend, pal, whatever, I like nicknames.
00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:34.799
I really like it when people give me a nickname.
00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:56.400
Jesus, and when I and I I say all this to say this, Jesus didn't just offer a suggestion when it comes that we, you know, just look, Jesus didn't say this.
00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:59.599
Just try your hardest to just try to get along.
00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:02.480
Jesus didn't say that.
00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:04.480
No.
00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:12.160
And if you if you if you have if you have been thinking that for a while, I'm sorry, you've been misled.
00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:15.920
Make sure that you understand this.
00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:26.160
Jesus requires us to have unity and harmony.
00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:34.720
Because that is the only way we're going to be able to not only love each other, but love the people out in that community.
00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:39.440
Well, Blaine, I thought love was the most important thing of all.
00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:42.079
Believe me, I it is.
00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:46.799
Love is what is what love is what it's all about.
00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:57.519
But if there isn't any harmony and unity in the body, how can that love even start to be shown?
00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:04.319
And I am deadly serious about this.
00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:08.160
I've seen too many churches split.
00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:18.319
I've seen too many families never mend up and kiss and make up after something just incredibly dumb that happened took place.
00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.720
I used to say it breaks my heart.
00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.240
Now it just makes me mad.
00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:45.359
Unity and harmony in the church, in the body of Christ, no matter if we're here on Sunday morning or working together in the workplace or seeing each other down at the Walmarts, unity and harmony in the family of Christ is key.
00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.799
Can I get an amen?
00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:55.279
Jesus doesn't suggest that we try to get along.
00:33:56.160 --> 00:34:18.400
Jesus places a profound blessing when it comes to those who are actively working toward unity and harmony and are willing to put in the work to heal the places that are broken.
00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:27.280
Going back to his Sermon on the Mount, he says this blessed are the peacemakers.
00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:33.519
For they will be called sons of God.
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:36.880
Which nickname do you want in that sentence?
00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:41.760
Because if you want one, then you gotta have the other.
00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.039
You want to be called a son?
00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.800
You want to be called a child of God?
00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:57.280
Then quit looking at peacemaking as just a spiritual gift that someone else has and start incorporating it into yours.
00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:02.400
You want to be a peacemaker?
00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:05.920
Then you need to figure out what the good Lord wants from you first.
00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:12.480
Now I think I've already told you, but don't let me stop you from reading and studying on your own.
00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:14.400
That's what you need to do.
00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:27.440
A peacemaker doesn't sweep conflict under the rug, and a peacemaker really doesn't try to fuel the fire with gossip.
00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.719
No.
00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:51.360
Instead, a peacemaker steps in and he leads with his chin, knowing full well that the tension is probably gonna take a swipe at him and might connect, but he's willing to take the hit.
00:35:53.840 --> 00:36:05.280
And he walks directly into that tension because he's armed with the most powerful, two most powerful things that a Christian can carry, and that's love and that's grace.
00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:14.239
And a peacemaker helps bring that third strand into the middle of an argument.
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:27.679
Matthew, going back to Matthew 18, it doesn't end with Jesus saying you treat the person who doesn't listen, you do treat him like a thing in a tax collector or a heathen.
00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:37.840
You keep on reading Matthew 18, and you'll see that that conflict resolution continues down and makes you understand something that has been taken, sometimes gets taken out of context.
00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:48.559
That ain't got nothing to do with worship or church.
00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:51.760
It's got everything to do with conflict resolution.
00:36:53.280 --> 00:37:01.199
If two Christian people are feuding, where else do you think Jesus is going to be?
00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:10.880
If two Christian people are celebrating and praising the Lord, where else do you think Jesus is going to want to be?
00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:19.840
It's real simple this morning.
00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:27.760
Conflict, conflict doesn't have to break a relationship.
00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:53.440
When that conflict gets, starts going through those filters of grace, starts going through those filters of patience, starts going through that presence of the of Christ, conflict can become an anvil where deeper unity is forged, and love can flourish.
00:39:01.840 --> 00:39:44.960
One of the things that comes up sometimes in these relationships or in these conflicts is understandably so when emotions get involved, when feelings get um irritated, if you will, you could say, yeah, when feelings get irritated, the uh tendency is to not be able to fully work it down to its source of the problem.
00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:54.880
And that can only some well try it again.
00:39:55.039 --> 00:39:56.000
Three, two, one.
00:39:56.719 --> 00:40:04.079
Now getting to the source of the problem is gonna take some work.
00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:20.159
It's gonna take some some thinking, it's gonna take some prayer because you know, with all the kinds of things that take place in the world today, it's understandable why some people can say, I don't know why my feelings are hurt.
00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:22.079
I don't know why I'm feeling this way.
00:40:22.239 --> 00:40:31.760
Um I feel like there's this and that, and I don't understand it completely, but I know that I don't feel resolved in this situation.
00:40:35.519 --> 00:41:22.480
And so to me, and this is just me thinking, this is this is my this is my psychology, this is the way my brain works, is I I I would say one of the first questions that you need to ask yourself if if you are involved in a conflict with a brother or a sister in Christ, if you are involved with a conflict and you don't feel like the issue is resolved, then it could be entirely possible that the start or the creation of the conflict, it it could be possible that you haven't gotten to the source.
00:41:24.800 --> 00:41:49.280
And so that requires you to unfortunately kind of dig up some of those feelings and those emotions to try to understand and gain insight on what was it or and or who was it that sinned against you.
00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:56.800
And you gotta be honest with yourself, you've got to be real with yourself.
00:41:56.960 --> 00:41:59.199
You can't just be going off.
00:41:59.280 --> 00:42:10.480
I mean, yes, I understand your feelings are understandably, you know, right there in front of you, and and and they play a big part in all this, but you gotta also incorporate some logic.
00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:26.000
You gotta let your brain come in and help you sort through all those feelings and ask yourself honestly who sinned or who hurt you.
00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:37.679
Because if you can figure out that, then you know who to go to in order to get the resolution.
00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:42.719
Well, I shouldn't have to, Preacher Man.
00:42:42.960 --> 00:42:47.360
They should know that they've hurt my feelings, they should know that I'm upset, and they should come to me.
00:42:51.280 --> 00:43:09.599
In a perfect world, yeah, I can see how that would take place, but unfortunately we can s as human beings, we can get so caught up with uh other things that are taking place in our lives, and we can get so with so many issues and so many things happening.
00:43:11.119 --> 00:43:24.400
It could be entirely possible that the person who hurt you may not even realize that this issue has not been fully resolved.
00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:37.519
And if he is a child of God and if he takes that relationship seriously and responsibly, then they are going to want to resolve this with you.
00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:58.559
Now on the other hand, you might also come to realize that you're not really the part you're not really part of the resolution because the problem.
00:44:00.320 --> 00:44:03.280
Wasn't necessarily with you.
00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:17.280
And so your feelings, although warranted, are about something that happened to someone else who you care about.
00:44:21.760 --> 00:44:30.639
And therefore, you feel like you need to be you need to resolve the resolution also.
00:44:33.679 --> 00:44:37.519
And so that takes some understanding as well.
00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:40.079
Sometimes the problem isn't you.
00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:42.800
Sometimes the problem is you.
00:44:44.320 --> 00:44:48.000
And sometimes the problem isn't about you at all.
00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:55.039
You have just projected your opinion and your feelings onto the situation.
00:44:56.079 --> 00:44:59.360
So you can make it a problem for you.
00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:10.000
Conflict resolution takes a lot of self-awareness and honesty.
00:45:11.519 --> 00:45:29.280
Because in the end, if you realize that you are the reason for the conflict, if you if you if you are the guilty party in all of this and you haven't fully resolved it, then it is up to you to seek out that person.
00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:31.679
Like we said, like it like it was said in scripture.
00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:48.320
If you have something against your brother, you leave your gift at the altar and you go and work it out before you participate in a activity that is in part of a part of your worship to the Lord.
00:45:51.519 --> 00:46:00.000
Like I said, it takes real honesty to figure out what the deal is.
00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:20.960
It takes time, it takes prayer, but we can always rest assured that in those situations the Holy Spirit's working, and Jesus is wanting to be involved, and Jesus is going to guide us both because that court of three strands works both ways.
00:46:32.159 --> 00:46:34.639
And I was I said it before and I'll say it again.
00:46:34.880 --> 00:46:43.440
When Matthew 18 is done correctly, it works 100% of the time.
00:46:44.960 --> 00:46:59.119
But if someone throws their idea or their suggestion or tries to make it better because they think they can, it's not going to work.
00:46:59.920 --> 00:47:01.679
It's not going to work at all.
00:47:03.280 --> 00:47:06.239
As always, we would love to hear from you.
00:47:06.559 --> 00:47:12.320
My email address where you can contact me is preacherman1178 at gmail.com.
00:47:12.400 --> 00:47:15.920
That's preacherman1178 at gmail.com.
00:47:16.079 --> 00:47:24.239
Also, don't forget uh the Preacher Man Podcast has a Facebook page, and you can do a search on Facebook, find the Preacher Man podcast, follow it.
00:47:24.400 --> 00:47:29.039
You can message me on the Preacher Man Podcast Facebook page as well.
00:47:29.280 --> 00:47:44.320
And you never know if you uh have a question or a comment or anything that you that's related to anything we've talked about on this podcast, I would love to hear from you, and we might just talk about it on the next podcast coming up next.
00:47:44.480 --> 00:47:47.360
Speaking of next podcast, it will be a back-to-back podcast.
00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:51.280
We're gonna do, we're gonna try to I'm gonna try to get episode 29 up.
00:47:51.519 --> 00:47:57.119
It's our the start of our new miniseries called Fix the Cracks.
00:47:57.519 --> 00:48:27.920
We are working on um the problems in our lives, and we dip into or we jump into this idea of what does it mean when the Lord takes over to help us repair whatever it is that's got going on in our lives, where we let God fix the cracks, and what does restoration and renewal look alike look like for the Christian?
00:48:28.079 --> 00:48:31.199
Uh, can't you can't wait to get it uploaded for you to listen to.
00:48:31.440 --> 00:48:32.639
This is the Preacher Man.
00:48:32.719 --> 00:48:33.679
We're gonna get back at it.
00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:39.679
Hope you have a blessed day, and always remember who you are and whose you are.
