Potential Conflict 42
Intro 1) There is a potential for conflict anytime as few as "just two" people
are closely associated in any endeavor.
2) Every person has their own individual …
temperament …personality … peculiarities …
plateaus of knowledge and understanding …
environmental influences … etc.
3) A classic example of this principle is found in … Acts 15:36-40
a) There were only two people involved …
… and they were both godly men
b) Suppose there is a whole congregation of people …
… and we are all at differing levels of maturity
4) Human relations is a difficult thing …
… yet … the Lord wants us all to "get along"
Romans 12:18 be at peace with all men
I Corinthians 12:26 all suffer together … rejoice together
5) How can we each contribute toward this unity and peace
in our own congregation here?
I. We Must be more … Loving … toward one another
A. This is going to require … Sacrifice … Submission … Inter-change
1. Jn 15:12-15 It's hard to hurt someone you'd give your life for
2. Jn 13:34-35 The new part … "as I have loved you."
B. This kind of "love" has got to be an "active" kind of love …
… which we shall discuss tonight in our discussion classes
II. We Must be more … Tolerant … Compassionate … Tenderhearted
A. Mt 7:1-5 Remember … you don't always do what you should either
B. Mt 5:7 Show mercy when mistakes are made … don't be ruthless
C. I Pet 3:8-9 This is directed to one who feels insulted or slighted
D. We all expect everyone else to treat us with Tolerance and Compassion
… but … how are we to treat them when they have failed us?
III. We Must be more … Forgiving
A. Mt 6:12-15 This is directed toward one who feels "trespassed against"
1. It's easy to point out that "you" must not trespass against "me"
2. … but … what if someone DOES … who must keep the "peace"?
B. Col 3:12-15 This is directed toward one who has a "complaint"
1. Forgive … just as the Lord forgave you
2. How did Jesus treat those who spit at Him / nailed him to a cross?
3. Beloved … you will not always RECEIVE
as much recognition and attention from the brethren
as you probably believe you deserve …
… how will you react to that … and … keep PEACE?
C. Eph 4:31-32 Beloved … sin is crouching at the door …
… when you allow bitterness and anger to produce …
… slander and malice … directed toward your brethren
D. We WANT compassion and forgiveness from others …
… so … we have to offer it as well
IV. We Must be more … Encouraging … instead of being Discouraging
A. Sometimes we expect Encouragement and Interest
from those we SELDOM encourage nor show interest in
1. Old saying: "One who desires a friend must show himself friendly"
2. We can only "play the victim" for so long … then it stops working
B. Acts 28:15
Even an old "war horse" like Paul needed some encouragement
Concl 1) There's always some potential for conflict in the body of Christ
2) You will eventually feel that you have been …
… insulted … slighted … trespassed against
3) You will eventually feel that you have a just complaint against someone
4) What will you do … and … how will you act?
Will you show some LOVE?
Will you show some TOLERANCE and COMPASSION?
Will you show some FORGIVENESS, even toward the unforgiving?
Will you show some ENCOURAGEMENT,
or will you be discouraging?
5) It's in your hands.