A Peace of My Mind
#FamilyCircus Week 3
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Scripture: Matthew 5:9 and Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. - Matthew 5:9
We are called to be PEACEMAKERS not peacekeepers - there is a difference.
It’s a lot like the difference between LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT.
- Leaders are influential and servant-minded
- Managers are controlling and rigid
What kind of parent do you want to be? A leader or a manager?
- Peacekeepers often AVOID conflict to keep the peace
- Peacemakers EMBRACE conflict to make peace
Being a peacemaker doesn’t just mean the absence of trouble - it means SEEKING the highest good!
- You have a right to be angry
- You have a right to be offended
- You have a right to be hurt
- But when you exercise your right - your are putting self first
Peace is to be SELFLESS for the building of what is ACTUALLY right, not just A RIGHT.
- Peacekeepers often AVOID conflict to keep the peace
- Peacekeepers EMBRACE conflict to make peace.
Remember, we have a goal to make our #FamilyCircus a Christ-centered home.
A Christ-centered home isn’t a CONFLICT-FREE family. It’s a CONFLICT-SOLVING zone!
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. … 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:17-18, 21
What do peacemakers do?
- Tell the TRUTH in love.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ… Ephesians 4:15 NLT
Confront the issues, and not the person. Love the person, deal with the STUFF.
- When you don’t listen to me, I don’t feel like you value me.
- When you raise your voice, I don’t feel safe.
- You may not even notice, with our friends, jabs.
- When you continue to check your phone at the table—devalued.
- When you lie insignificant, it’s hard to really trust you.
2. Apologize when you are WRONG
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16
Admit to specific attitudes and actions with no EXCUSES.
The difference between remorse and repentance
- I’m sorry is for mistakes.
- Will you forgive me is for sin.
3. Forgive and LET GO
How do I forgive? Most people say I can’t!!!!
- Significant betrayal
- Spouse adultery
- Abuse
- Tragedy
- General irritation and annoyance!!!! (right? come on somebody amen that!)
You forgive by doing what they don’t deserve, by giving something that you didn’t pay for.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col 3:13
Family is worth it, as far as it depends on you, it BETTER be.
Children of God are made in his IMAGE. You never look more like God than when you forgive, and when you make peace.
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