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NEEDED: MORE BATTLES WON
(5)
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
The early church encountered
numerous relationship issues.
1.
There was strife among the
apostles when James and John asked for positions of prominence in the
2.
A
sharp contention developed between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark (Acts
15:36-41).
3.
Division existed in
4.
There was a problem between
Euodias and Syntyche, members of the church at
5.
A
conflict arose between John and Diotrephes, a man who loved to have the
preeminence (III John 9-10).
6.
A
rift existed in the early church between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile
Christians.
B.
In like manner, we find that
the church of the 21st century has difficulties with Christian
relationships.
1.
Personalities.
2.
Doctrinal
issues.
3.
Cultural
conflicts.
4.
Wrongs committed one against
another.
5.
Power
struggles.
6.
Pettiness and stubborn
pride.
C.
This is another battle front
wherein spiritual warfare is waged.
1.
If Satan wins, brethren are
alienated from one another and the body of Christ is
divided.
2.
Therefore, we need to learn
how to deal with difficulties in Christian relationships.
I. DIG
THE FOUNDATIONS OF RELATIONSHIPS DEEP
A.
A
foundation is “the basis upon which something is
supported.”
1.
Foundations need to be made
of the right material.
2.
Foundations need to be set
deeply to weather the storms and trials that come with
time.
3.
NOTE: The church has a foundation, Jesus
Christ (I Cor. 3:11).
For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.
B.
Our Christian relationships
must be built upon solid foundations.
There are at least three key ingredients in this
foundation.
1.
Love
a.
The church at
b.
In I Corinthians 12:31, Paul set before them a
more excellent way, the way of love.
c.
I Corinthians 13:1-3
Though I speak
with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as
sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and
all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove moun-tains,
and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me
nothing.
d.
Paul described this love in I Corinthians 13:4-8.
1)
Sixteen (16) qualities are set forth.
2)
Many times these actions are cast aside when problems develop in
relationships.
2.
Unity (Eph. 4:3).
Endeavoring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
a.
Endeavoring (4704)
1)
Strong: to use speed, that
is, to make effort.
2)
Thayer: to exert one’s
self.
b.
To keep (5083)
1)
Strong: to guard, to keep
the eye upon, to prevent from escaping, to put a military fortress
around.
2)
Thayer: to attend carefully,
take care of.
3)
Example of a little boy who caught a mouse (shoebox, cage, aquarium, pen
of double chicken wire).
3.
Truth (Prov. 23:23)
Buy the truth,
and sell it not…
a.
Definition:
1)
The state of being the case:
FACT.
2)
The body of real things, events, facts: ACTUALITY.
b.
Truth often gets pushed to the side when problems arise in
relationships. Feelings, needs,
power, and other relationships come before allegiance to the
truth.
II. DO THE RIGHT
THINGS TO HEAL THE HURTS
A.
Pray for self and the
opposition (Heb. 4:16).
Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace
to help in time of need.
B.
Go to our brother or sister
and work out the problems.
1.
Matthew
5:23-24
Therefore if
thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first
be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer they
gift.
2.
Matthew
18:15
Moreover if thy
brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and
him alone: if he shall hear thee,
thou hast gained by brother.
C.
Seek
resolutions.
1.
Some will come and express
themselves, but they leave with no truth resolutions to the problem. The relationships continue to be
strained and division still exists.
2.
The
For it seemed
good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these
necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood,
and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye
shall do well. Fare ye well. So when they were dismissed, they came
to
D.
Do what’s required of
you.
1.
If you need to say: “I am wrong,” do
so.
2.
If you need to say: “You are forgiven,” do
so.
3.
If you need to say: “I misunderstood,” do
so.
4.
If you need to say: “I understand,” do
so.
5.
If you need to say: “Let’s continue to study,” do
so.
III. DON’T DO THE WRONG
THINGS
A.
Don’t go talking to everyone
else about the issue between you and your brother (Prov.
11:13).
A talebearer
revealeth secrets: but he that is
of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
B.
Don’t let you anger turn
into sin (Eph. 4:26a).
Be ye angry, and
sin not…
C.
Don’t allow your pride keep
you from healing the relationship (Prov. 13:10).
Only by pride
cometh contention: but with the
well advised is wisdom.
D.
Don’t seek to assassinate
another’s character.
E.
Don’t make the issue bigger
than it really is.
CONCLUSION
A.
Psalm
133:1
Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity!
B.
John
14:34
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
