Forgiveness: The REAL “F” Word Series Part 3: How to DESTROY Your Enemies!

God’s PLAN for you is to DESTROY your enemies… …through making them your FRIENDS “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES! Matthew 5:43, 44 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” Hebrews 12:14 Whether we like it or not: Offenses WILL COME!!! “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come…” Jesus

Today we will ask and answer these 2 Questions? 1)What is the origin of conflict and offence? 2)What can we do to help bring restoration & reconciliation into broken, wounded or unsettled relationships?

Point of Origin: Why we have conflict, “intense fellowship” & offense If you “don’t know” what you “don’t know” you cant “GROW!” James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. - Fighting & Quarreling flows out of what’s inside of us… * two greek words used for “desire” in this text 1) wanting something (that someone else has) 2) set your heart on something that you don’t/ can’t have… -jealousy, envy, selfish ambition, pleasing self & fulfilling inward craving… BUT sometimes this flows out of insecurity…

Wounded Spirit (a reaction to negative words or experiences) Un-lawful Judgment (the critical assessment of another) Offense Un-forgiveness/ Anger Bitterness/ Animosity Hatred/ Murder Unfulfilled Expectations (expecting one thing & getting another) Matt. 18:6,7 Matt. 18:21-35 Heb. 12:15 Matt. 5:21 Origins and Process of Offense The Bait of Satan

“Restoring and Reconciling Broken Relationships” Almost everybody hates CONFRONTATION That’s why GOD is in the RESTORATION business! “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galations 6:1 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matt. 18:15-17

Honest Before God: Is there anyone in my life that I have NOT made peace with? Consider the root of your conflict or offense Choose now to “make peace” or “continue war” Be HONEST with God and Yourself Initiate Restoration: make a plan to begin the process of healing Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3:13, 14