April 1, 2019
Now that we know the significance of the Tabernacle (see previous series), we can see the power in Jesus tearing the curtain that locked away His holiness. When He died, not just the High Priest or even just the Jews, but everyone was instantly given equal opprotunity to live in the presence of God.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:3-12
Here we find the decription Jesus gave of the people who live behind the curtain. Join us in this series as we press on into this new kind of living.
Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister
Notes:
God loves unity and counts peacemakers as family.
Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 5:9
To make peace means to restore, heal, complete—and to team up in ways that make God' s will happen. Matthew 25, Colossians 1:18, 2:19, & 3:15
Dr. Stephen Covey's 7 Habits...Seek first to understand, then to be understood,
James 1:19 & 3:17-18
Synergize. (become more than the sum of your parts) 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 (& 2:16)
Peacemaking defines God's children. It's what we do. John 13:35 & 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:18, Romans 12:18
In The Peacemaker, Ken Sande says to “look at conflict as an opportunity to glorify God, serve others, and grow to be like Christ.” This includes:
Overlooking
Colossians 3:13, Proverbs 19:11
Reconciliation
Ephesians 4:15, James 3:18
Jesus's system in Matthew 18:15-17 is:
1) Go to them privately.
2) Take one or two witnesses.
3) Take it to the church.
4) Go back to treating them like a non-believer (with love!)
Lord, today, I surrender...
Lord, today, I choose to...
