welcome to the Believers Bible assembly today dr. Jackson will continue his teaching on the truth about

the church looking at what the Bible has to say about dealing with conflict in the church listen

and be blessed but last week we began to talk about why people stopped attending the local church everybody in

the local church is not born again and because of that people have a hard time relating to

one another people have a hard time connecting with one another and they fall out with

the church because of church hurt and one of the main problems that's related to church hurt is disagreements misunderstandings

and conflicts that was never properly resolved and that church her led to bitterness and resentment and the danger

of this it causes a people who are not connected with the church spiritually to reject the Church of

together and rejecting God today I want to look at three biblical actions that we can take to bring

the issue of church hurt anger bitterness and resentment to a Biblical resolution see God is

all-knowing and he knew when he formed his church that they will be disagreement that they will be misunderstanding that

there will be conflict t' there will be anger and bitterness and resentment he knew

all that you know why because it's made up of human beings imperfect people and because

of this imperfection is just a matter of time for disagreement misunderstanding and conflict to occur God in his

wisdom knew that and God Incorporated in his word the answer the resolution to this problem

and that's why I want to talk about today from a Biblical perspective dealing with conflict in

the church because it's not if conflict is going to happens when it's gonna happen but when

it happened the certain actions that has to take place to resolve it so it won't impact other

people three biblical actions that we can take the bring the issue of church hurt to a resolution so

that Unity now can Prevail so we can walk into Oneness of the body of Christ and walk

into Oneness of the word number one we have to learn to control anger Vision Chapter 4 verses

are still angry meaning bring this issue to a quick resolution and do not give the

devil a foothold in your anger do not sin this is what Paul said we just what

Paul did say he did not say that anger is see throughout the whole Bible in the Old

Testament and the New Testament you see people expressing their anger anger is an emotion but your anger

should not lead you into sin doing something that's not pleasing to God don't let the sun go down while

you are still angry bring this matter bring this issue to a quick resolution because if you don't you're

giving the devil a foothold it whole into your life Paul is saying here is that

anger itself is not the issue but how we respond to anger is the issue

and we must resolve any conflict personal or church-related quickly do not allow disagreements hurt feelings

to become long-term resentment because that's exactly what's going to do somebody right now mad

somebody right now I'll open it feelings because of something that happened 10 15 years ago they did not bring

that issue to a quick resolution and because of that all these things that are

not of God has been built up in your anger do not sin don't do anything

that's going to be displeasing to God resolve the issue quickly because if you don't you're giving the devil a

foothold into your life what does that word homie it means a place to stand so you're given the

devil a place to stand in your life and what's the enemies job he comes to kill steal

and destroy your peace your relationships your fellowship with man and God that's the reason why you got to resolve

this issue quickly because you don't you're giving the devil a place to stand that's why we have

to resolve this issue quickly and a grrrr if left unchecked will lead to corrupt communication corrupt speech

you're going to say something that you'll regret you're going to say something that going to have long-term damage in

a relationship personal or church you're going to say something that will destroy your relationship with other people

that's why we got to deal with this quickly immediately but you have to deal with it in

a Biblical way because if you don't you're going to give the devil an opportunity to lead you into sin

by holding a grudge anger or harboring resentment bitterness you've given the devil opportunity to come in and steal

your peace your joy and your relationship so what do we have to do number

one we got to release the bitterness we got to release the anger and seek reconciliation whenever possible that

should be the goal of any conflict any disagreement especially among Believers because the body of Christ must be

United not divided we have to seek reconciliation whenever possible remember to do not allow anger to

create division destroy relationships or interfere with your walk with God why are you in a state

of anger while you in the state of bitterness why you in the state of church hurt your relationship

with man has been impacted but also your relationship and your walk with God and you're

wondering why aren't the blessing fluent why is my life in this state I feel distant

from God because you have allowed anger bitterness and resentment to creep in to kill steal and destroy your relationship

with your brother and sister in Christ but also it is impacting your walk with God God is not

going to bless you in a state of anger bitterness and resentment so we got to

make these decisions to let it go we got to make this decision to release it

we got to make this decision to seek reconciliation and we can do this because

anger can be controlled on the fruit of the spirit is what self-control so you make the decision to

be bitter you make the decision to be angry you make the decision to be resentful oil or you can

manage your anger your bitterness and resentment through Godly wisdom forgiveness and self-control we can choose not to let anger

control us or give the enemy a foothold in our lives so the first thing

that we have to do towards resolution dealing with church hurt we have control my anger don't let your

anger make a decision that you'll regret in the future number two we have to

replace that anger that bitterness and that resentment with love forgiveness and understanding Ephesians 4:31 through 32 says get

rid of all bitterness rage and anger brawling and slander along with every form of malice be kind and

compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave or gave you we have to

do this this is an action we must take and we can do that because we have the

fruit of spirit we can do that and replace it with kindness compassion towards one another and forgiveness

and we have to do this immediately and we have to do this freely we have

to do it immediately because of point one you don't want to give the devil a foothold

and you have to do it freely as a matter of your will forgiving each other other just

as Christ forgave you that's what I had to learn tell me now I had to learn not to

Harbor any kind of bitterness resentment or anger because Christ forgave me what if Christ

will hell these things against me for how I treated him before I was born

again when he died on the cross he died once for all and when we accept Jesus Christ as

our Lord and savior when were born again All is Forgiven a tional All Is Forgiven and

we still have the mind of Christ we supposed to be christ-like so if we have the mind

of Christ and we're supposed to be as disciples christ-like there shouldn't be a problem being

kind there shouldn't be a problem being compassionate there shouldn't be a problem forgiving one another

just as God forgave you Christ he gives us the model of how to do it

he gives us the model how to be kind and compassionate and if we give it

he gives us the model and the Holy Spirit has given us the power and the ability to forgive but

we have to make up our mind I'ma forgive that brother I'm gonna give that sister for whatever they

said that hurt me because I've said things that hurt other people and God forgave me and now

I have to forgive my brother and my sister in Christ does that means now that you

dap up and kiss it may be b-but what you're not doing you're not harboring

bitterness anger and resentment because if you do that it's going to impact your walk with

the Lord you're not walking and fellowship with God because you still hold it on something Let

It Go forgive we receive God's forgiveness by his grace there's nothing that we did to deserve God's

forgiveness but his grace is unmerited favor that's what reconciled us to him and to God and so by Grace

we have been forgiven by God as we forgive forgive others don't allow anger bitterness and

resentment to control your heart choose as a matter of your will kindness compassion and forgiveness you

decide whether or not the dwelling anger bitterness or resentment or you decide to be kind compassionate

and forgive it's a matter of your will and I know it's hard to do but this is what we've

had been called to do and you have Christ in you you have the Holy Spirit you

can do it if you choose to even when others have hurt you in the church outside of church

you can do it we have the treat others with the same Grace the same mercy and

the same forgiveness that God has shown to you forgiveness does not mean that what happened was

okay that you're gonna forget about it that's not what we're giving this means forgive this means you choose choose

as a matter of your will not to let anger bitterness and resentment take root

in your heart we have to get our anger in check number two we got to

replace it with kindness and compassionate and forgiveness and number three we have to pursue peace we have to pursue

reconciliation Hebrews 12:14 and 2:15 says make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be

holy without Holiness no one will see the Lord see to it that no one falls short of

the grace of God and that no Bitter Root grows up to cause trouble and

defile many unforgiving heart will end up being a Bitter Root that grows up to cause trouble and

defile many you don't want to have a bitter heart unforgiving heart it says that

you have to make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy for

without Holiness no one will see the Lord it says make every effort to live in

peace we have to make the effort and that effort is shown in how we

interact with one another how we love one another how we forgive one another when it says make every

effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy it's time about you

Believers are to take the initiative to make every effort to live in peace walk in Holiness and guard

your heart against bitterness when it passed the time out I was with you up to this point you

mean to tell me I have to be the one to take the initiative and make the

effort to live in peace and welcome Holiness and got my heart against business for somebody

hurt me am I understanding that right I have to take the initiative I have to do

that yes that's the problem see you harboring this bitterness resentment waiting for the other person to come to

you to say they're sorry and while you waiting all of this is building up is building up

building up and it's going to grow into a Bitter Root of unforgiveness the Bible says you have to make

the effort you have to initiate the action you have to go to that brother

and sister listen I'm sorry we have this disagreement I don't know if I've done anything to offend you

but if I have I apologize my goal is to live in peace walk in Holiness and

not have any business or resentment in my heart I love you and my prayer is that we

can walk together in unity and go forth in the things of Jesus Christ taught you all this morning

about the testing of your faith see that's the test you have to go to the person

that hurt you that spoke ill about you that's landed your name you have to go to

that person and seek reconciliation to live in peace who does hard that's hard would you know what you're

showing you showing spiritual maturity you're showing the love of God that you have in your heart you chose

not to let anger business and resentment rule your heart steal your joy steal your peace and you

decided that you're going to make every effort to live in peace with his brother or the sister now

listen I'm not just talking about the church on time I you know house in

your family there's some family members you ain't spoke to in years make every effort

to live in peace when I say live in peace I'm not talking about reconciliation

to the point where y'all back to friends again that may or may not happen only time will tell

you don't want to force it it's going to happen naturally but you have to

take the initiative to forgive so that everyone can live in peace and living in peace

might mean never talk to that person again but you have to choose forgiveness as a matter of your

will over anger resentment we have to seek peace over conflict we have to seek love over anger don't

allow Church hurt or been in it this to take root in your heart and damage your

relationship with God and others Jesus said this in Matthew chapter 5 verses 20 through

has something against you leave your gift there in the front of the altar first go and

be reconciled with them then come and offer your gift you see the price here

you about to make an offering to the Lord which is your spiritual act of

worship but before you do that you remember that your brother or your sister has something against you or

you have something against them the scripture says you want to leave your gift in the front of the

altar go to your brother and sister and reconcile with them then come back and give your offering

to God what is Jesus saying here Jesus is saying our relationship with other people matters to God

how how we treat one another matters to God God is not pleased when you have anger bitterness and resentment

that's causing division in the body of Christ God is not pleased when you have anger

bitterness and resentment in your family you're not talking to your brother your sister your mom and your

dad he's not pleased go make it right you waiting on your cousin know you go to

your cousin and make it right if you make it right before you give the offering the

blessing that comes with you giving your offering God will honor because you did it with

a clean heart you did it when don't anger bitterness or resentment against another brother and

sister you have a clean heart when you presented your gift because that's what God desires he desires reconciliation he

desires forgiveness he desires peace among his people were it is not about going through religious motions

true worship our spiritual act of worship should also be reflected in how we treat other people

so don't allow Pride that's what it is don't allow anger don't allow unresolved conflicts the stand between you

and another believer because it's also going to cause your fellowship with God to be impacted

and you don't want that every day I pray Lord let my life be pleasing himself in your site

that got to be more than a phrase that you quote your life is not pleasing and

acceptable in the sight of God if you're harboring bitterness anger and resentment so take

the initiative to seek forgiveness just as Christ forgave you take the initiative does to restore the relationship if possible

Romans 12:18 says do your best to live in peace with everyone one do your best if

possible from your part to live in peace with everyone if you don't take anything with

him this message take this you have to initiate the action that's going to lead toward resolution

now I like the way the scripture is worded it says do your best if possible to live

in peace with everyone you might go to that brother you might go to that sister seeking reconciliation

and they tell you to get the out of the face you know what you

did your part if I'm God's perspective you did your part now the other person that

rejected your offering of forgiveness and dismiss your initiative and trying to restore relationship oh now they

got to deal with God now but as far as you're concerned you did your part

you did it biblically you went to that brother you would do that sister and you

sought reconciliation you initiated action to seek forgiveness and to restore the relationship anshel but

don't expect or be disappointed or disheartened if your offer of forgiveness and restoration is rejected in God's eyes

and that's all the eyes that matters you've done your part you've done what a child

of God is supposed to do you sought forgiveness you salt reconciliation now before you get all

that you had to put away your what you had to put away your anger had to put

away your business you had to put away your resentment here put that stuff away first

now you went to your brother and sister and ask forgiveness and they rejected you you

did your part well onus is on the believer to make things right with others and

when you make things right with others you're making things right with God because that is the

will of God for your life to be unified walking fellowship and harmony with your brothers and sisters

not the harbor any resentment or bitterness but the sea seek forgiveness and Restoration in the local

church conflict is inevitable because is made up of imperfect people the question is not

whether disagreements will occur but whether Believers will take the initiative to address and resolve

the disagreements the hurt according to the scripture now everything I share with you this morning is from

the scripture walking in the spirit does it go sideways If You Walking In the Flesh the Believers have to

initiate this and resolve these issues according to the scriptures according to the spirit at the same time reconciliation requires

truth repentance and taking the appropriate actions the Apostle Paul said this we ought to speak the truth in Love

Part of reconciliation process you have to speak truth you have to let that brother-sister know what they do did

they hurt you they might not even be aware of it and here you are thinking they should

know they should understand they probably didn't even know what he said hurt you they probably didn't even know

what they did that hurt you defended you they probably not even have a clue what it

is so you got to speak to the truth and then that will lead to repentance and that will lead

to reconciliation so talk it out as Believers we should be able to speak the truth in

love put the shoes on the table and seek resolution seek reconciliation the formula that Jesus gave you go

to that brother you go to that sister one-on-one and you talk it out and you try to work it

out if that don't work you take one or two other believers with you and you try to work

it out talk it out pray it out and if that don't work bring it to

the spiritual leader to try to resolve the issue you see all the waves in the scriptures

at the Lord wants us to seek reconciliation not just fall out one another but the

reality of it is some people just aren't there the reality of some people just won't accept your apology

they won't accept your offer of forgiveness they're going to continue to cause conflict and drama in the local church

but the scripture got a plan for that too he said put him out treat

him like an unbeliever until they come to their senses and they realize that they need

the brother and sister in Christ we need one another in the body of Christ nor for the body

of Christ to be unified Paul talks about in First Corinthians chapter 12 we need one

another we need one another in order to accomplish guys will here on the Earth but reconciliation requires truth it

requires forgiveness requires repentance so before you jump ship wipe your hands and say I'm done with this church

I'm done what do you church folk think about these Solutions I talked about today to seek resolution

for the conflict for the church hurt you have people jumping from church to church trying to

find a perfect church and come to find out there is no perfect church because the

church is not made of a perfect people but the local church is made up of imperfect people long

as we down here on this Earth we have to love one another we have to treat everyone

with kindness and compassion but when conflict does happen you will to take the necessary

steps so it won't lead to church hurt and now that person is on an island all by themselves hurt

bitter man upset they're sitting up a prime target for the enemy and that's what he wants he wants

separation God requires reconciliation he wants you to be in the flesh when dealing with these

issues God wants you to walk in the spirit and in the word to resolve these issues so before

you consider jumping ship going from church to church consider whether the matter can be addressed

through these biblical processes which requires honesty and Truth we have to seek the word of God

we have to seek the wisdom of God we have to seek the counsel of other believers in

order to bring these things to a Godly resolution and that's what we want amen you for

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be blessed