1Co 10:31-11:1 LITV Then whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God. (32) Be without offense both to Jews and Greeks, and to the assembly of God. (33) Even as I also please all in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, that they may be saved. (11:1) Be imitators of me, as I am also of Christ.

Glorify God:

1. _____ God

Pro 3:5-7 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

(Example: Acts 16:22-31)



2. ____ God

Joh 14:15 ESV "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Joh 14:21 ESV Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.



3. _______ God

Eph 5:1-2 CEV Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. (2) Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.



4. ___________ God

Php 2:13 ESV for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

1Pe 3:15-16 ASV but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer

to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and

fear: (16) having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to

shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.



Serve Others:



Luk 6:27-30 KJVR But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, (28) Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (29) And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. (30) Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

~ Note ~ (Through the study of His Word, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship)



Grow to Be Like Christ:



1Co 11:1 ESV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.



“ There is more to being like Jesus than recognizing weaknesses and confessing sin, however.To grow, you must also draw on His grace and practice new attitudes” ~ Ken Sande

“The more faithfully you draw on His grace and follow His instructions, the more likely you are to see a constructive solution and genuine reconciliation.” ~ Ken Sande pg. 39



Keys to being an effective steward of conflict:



· Motivated: Mat 22:37 CEV Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.



· Informed: Luk 12:47 ESV And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.



· Strengthened: 2Ch 16:9a CEV The LORD is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him.



· Dependent: Pro 12:15 KJV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Heb 10:24-25 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.



· Faithful: 1Co 4:2 LITV Moreover, it is sought among stewards that one be found faithful.



Applying what we’ve learned:



“Oh, what a lovely fragrance you have”

OR

“Wow, do you stink!”



How will you respond? We shall soon find out…



In-class “staged” conflict TBA!

Notes:

Rom 12:18 ESV If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Rom 12:21 ESV Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.





The Three Dimensions of Peace:





1. Peace with God: We must understand our sin, accept Gods grace, and follow Jesus



Scripture References: Isa 59:1-2, Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23a, John 3:16, Col 1: 19-20, Rom 5: 1-2, Rom 3:20, Eph 2:8-9, 1Peter 2:24-25



2. Peace with Others: We must strive diligently for unity (genuine harmony, understanding, and goodwill between people)



Scripture References: Eph 2:11-18, Ps 133:1, Rom 12:18, Matt 22:39



3. Peace with Yourself: “Internal peace is a by-product of righteousness.” (K.S)



Scripture References: 1John 3:21-24, Isa 26:3, Isa 32:17, Isa 48:18





· Peace, Love , and Unity are key to being a good witness for Christ. His reputation is on the line, and it is commanded to us to be a good witness of His grace and truth.



Scripture References: 1John 3:23, Matt 5:9, John 17: 1-23, John 13:34-35, 1Peter 2:12, Matt 5:21-22, 1John 4:19-21



· Beware of the Enemy: Don’t believe the lies that the world has come to believe like “look out for number one”, etc



Scripture References: 1Peter 5:8-9, Acts 5:3, 2Tim 2:25-26, Eph 4:26-27, Eph 6:12, James 4:7



· Our Unity and God’s reputation are effected by how we handle conflict. Therefore it is imperative that we settle our differences in a Godly way and without the use of the courts, which are public and full of non-believers.



Scripture References: 1Cor 6:1-8, Matt 18: 15-20



“ When a dispute is resolved within the church, the parties are encouraged to work together to develop creative solutions that resolve both material and relational issues…The primary benefit for resolving disputes through the church is that it preserves our witness for Christ.” (K.S.)

Same as last week... Focussing on Peace with God...

Rom 12:18 MKJV If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.



Psa 133:1 DRB A gradual canticle of David. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity:



Reference note: MKJV=Modern King James, DRB=1899 Douay-Rheims





A Closer Look At The Three Dimensions of Peace:





1. Peace with Others



· We must strive diligently for unity (genuine harmony, understanding, and goodwill between people)



Scripture References:



Ps 133:1



Matt 22:39



Rom 12:16-21



Eph 2:11-18







· Peace, Love, and Unity are key to being a good witness for Christ. His reputation is on the line, and it is commanded to us to be a good witness of His grace and truth.



Scripture References:



Matt 5:9, Matt 5:21-24



John 13:34-35, John 17: 1-23



1John 3:18-24, 1John 4:19-21





Through an understanding of the past and a faith in the promises of God for the future, we can glorify Him in the present by following Jesus’ example and teaching of true peace, love and unity with each other.




G1515 εἰρήνη eirēnē (i-rah'-nay)

Probably from a primary verb εἴρω eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again

~ Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries



Peace

PEACE, n. [L. pax, paco, to appease.]

1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.

2. Freedom from war with a foreign nation; public quiet.

3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war.

4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance.

5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.

Great peace have they that love the law. Psa 119.

6. Heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven.

7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance.

8. Public tranquillity; that quiet,order and security which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace.

This word is used in commanding silence or quiet; as, peace to this troubled soul.

Peace, the lovers are asleep.

To be at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony.

To make peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance.

To hold the peace, to be silent; to suppress one's thoughts; not to speak.

~Webster’s 1828 Dictionary



H3162יחד yachad (yakh'-ad)

From H3161; properly a unit, that is, (adverbially) unitedly: - alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal.

~ Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries



Unity

U'NITY, n. [L. unitas.]



1. The state of being one; oneness. Unity may consist of a simple substance or existing being, as the soul; but usually it consists in a close junction of particles or parts, constituting a body detached from other bodies. Unity is a thing undivided itself, but separate from ever other thing.

2.Concord; conjunction; as a unity of proofs.

3. Agreement; uniformity; as unity of doctrine; unity of worship in a church.

4. In christian theology, oneness of sentiment, affection or behavior.

How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psa 133.

5. In mathematics, the abstract expression for any unit whatsoever. The number 1 is unity, when it is not applied to any particular object; but a unit, when it is so applied.

6. In poetry, the principle by which a uniform tenor of story and propriety of representation is preserved. In the drama, there are three unities; the unity of action, that of time, and that of place. In the epic poem, the great and almost only unity is that of action.

7. In music, such a combination of parts as to constitute a whole, or a kind of symmetry of style and character.

8. In law, the properties of a joint estate are derived from its unity, which is fourfold; unity of interest, unity of title, unity of time, and unity of possession; in other words, joint-tenants have one and the same interest, accruing by one and the same conveyance, commencing at the same time, and held by one and the same undivided possession.

9. In law, unity of possession, is a joint possession of two rights by several titles, as when a man has a lease of land upon a certain rent, and afterwards buys the fee simple. This is a unity of possession, by which the lease is extinguished.



Unity of faith, is an equal belief of the same truths of God, and possession of the grace of faith in like form and degree.

Unity of spirit, is the oneness which subsists between Christ and his saints, by which the same spirit dwells in both, and both have the same disposition and aims; and it is the oneness of christians among themselves, united under the same head, having the same spirit dwelling in them, and possessing the same graces, faith, love, hope, &c.