Harris Creek Baptist Church Part 4: The Authority to Bring Order & FAQs
God created the earth in the very first verse of the Bible. Do you know what He did immediately after that? As we finish our series, Conflicted, JP talks about our ability and authority as Christians, as well as answers the most common questions we received about conflict.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Ability and authority go hand in hand, and as Christians, we have both when it comes to handling conflict.
- Here is the ability for how to handle conflict: See conflict as an opportunity, own your part, know conflict is pressing, overlook a small offense, clearly express your hurt, and when necessary, widen the circle.
- Asking for forgiveness should be normative for Christians.
- Knowing what to do is often not the problem. It’s the fact that we are scared and care too much about what others think about us.
- Right after God created the earth itself, it was formless and empty, so He formed and filled it.
- God made mankind in His image and commands us to fill the earth and “subdue it” or form it.
- Genesis chapter 3 is the grand conflict in all of Scripture, and in the very same chapter, we see God provide the solution in Christ.
- The church has authority given to us by the Father through Jesus which we live out in the Spirit.
- Central to what it means to be a follower of Christ is to be a minister of reconciliation. With the authority God has given us comes a responsibility.
- Christians are often the number one offenders in doing the very things God calls us to fight against: gossip, slander, cynicism, and reconciliation.
- The Word of God is our conscience, authority, and guide.
Q&A
How do I handle conflict with someone who isn’t a Christian?
- The opportunity in conflict with a non-believer is to share the gospel.
- Love them, share the gospel, and make much of Jesus!
How do I handle conflict with someone of the opposite sex?
- The setting might change based on variables (married, single, family, etc.), but the process remains the exact same.
What if I need time and space before resolving conflict?
- This is very common language today, but we don’t see it in Scripture.
- The Scriptures teach an urgency in dealing with conflict. Again, we don’t see time and space prescribed in Scripture.
- It’s unloving to leave an open ended plan for when and how quickly you will meet to resolve conflict with someone.
What if someone ghosts you?
- Reach out and ask if you have offended them.
- Never practice the process of conflict resolution over text message or email. Never.
What is forgiveness?
- To rightly understand forgiveness, we always have to start with Jesus and what He did for us on the cross.
- Forgiveness in the Bible is a release or a dismissal of something.
What if I’m not ready to forgive someone?
- Go back and center your mind and heart on your trespass against a holy God.
- Remind yourself how much God has forgiven you of.
- This is a great chance to display and live out the gospel.
What if the person who hurt you is your boss?
- Are they a Christian? If yes, practice the process of conflict resolution. If no, share the gospel.
- Don’t measure obedience by the outcome. Have an “even if” faith when it has to do with areas of obedience.
Why have you said this might the most important series you will ever teach?
- Conflict resolution is central to the Gospel. It is the gospel!
- There is a separation of church/faith in our day that God never intended. We should take our faith with us in 100% of everything we do.
MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
- Suggested Scripture study: Genesis 1:1-2, 26-28; Genesis 3:16-19; Matthew 18:15-20; 2 Corinthians 15:14-19; Proverbs 26:4-5; Matthew 5:21-26
- Conflict Field Guide
- Week 1, 2 & 3 of Conflicted