Part 1: Before The Explosion

Have you ever been angry with someone before? Had someone who was angry with you? As we start our new series, Conflicted, JP teaches through Matthew 5:21-26, teaching us to change our perspective, own our part, and understand that conflict is pressing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- The way we deal with anger and conflict is what we learned from our home. Are you open to learning a better way?

- The first step to deal with conflict is to change your perspective

- Conflict is an opportunity to glorify God, be sanctified, and deepen relationships. Avoiding it will not go well with you.

- Those who belong to God are peace makers. Not peace fakers or breakers, but peace makers.

- All healthy relationships are marked by conflict. Someone who says they never have conflict in relationships does not have real relationships.

- When there is conflict in your life you should be marked by urgency to address it.

- The second step to deal with conflict is to own your part.

- If you are part of the conflict, you have a part in the conflict.

- Don’t talk to someone about a problem if they aren’t part of the problem. Go talk to the person(s) that is part of the problem.

- The worst part about blind spots is you can’t see them, and when you get angry, they get worse.

- When seeking forgiveness, don’t simply apologize (“I’m sorry”) or command forgiveness (“Forgive me”), humble yourself and ASK for forgiveness: “Will you please forgive me for _________?”

- Make no mistake, conflict is work. However, as ambassadors of reconciliation for Christ, it’s one of the most important things we do.

- The third step to deal with conflict is to understand that conflict is pressing.

- We cannot measure obedience by the outcome. We measure obedience by understanding what God says to do and then doing it.

- Satan hates you, and one of his main agendas is to make you hate and be in conflict with other Christians.

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

- Suggested Scripture study: Matthew 5:21-26; Matthew 7:3-5; Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:26; Romans 12:18

- Conflict field guide