#447 REALationships Series 4, Factions to Function

#447 REALationships Sermon #4, Factions To Function
By: D. Karl Thomas

(Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page)

PICTURES — Jamaica Trip!!!

Philippians 4:2-7 “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life …”

“…Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; …”

“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“Transformation is my favorite game and, in my experience,, anger and frustration are the result of you not being authentic somewhere in your life or with someone in your life. Being fake about anything creates a block inside of you. Life can’t work for you if you don’t show up as you.” Jason Mraz

Frustration rises when you have made an investment and the return does not meet your expectation.
Unresolved disappointment.
1. React 2. Repress Medicate – Motivate – Meditate 3. Respond

Factions:— strife or dissension within a group Synonyms — discord, disagreement, schism, split, friction.

N.T. Family Of God
1 Corinthians 3:3 “…for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

Titus 3:10 “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”

PICTURE YELLOW CARD!!! Two strikes you’re out!!!!!

Pathway to supernatural Peace
1. Engage One Another “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.”

2. Encourage One Another “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me…”

3. Enjoy One Another “…Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

4. Refocus One Another “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

5. Release One Another “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;…”

Here comes supernatural peace!!!

“… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Judges 11:1-11 Jephthah turned his faction into function. Jephtath:– (yif-tawkh) to open for oneself.

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. 2 Gilead’s wife bore sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.” 3 Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him. 4 It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. 5 And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. 6 Then they said to Jephthah, “Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon.” 7 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in [a]distress?” 8 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That is why we have turned[b] again to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the people of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” 9 So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the Lord delivers them to me, shall I be your head?” 10 And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “The Lord will be a witness between us, if we do not do according to your words.” 11 Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words before the Lord in Mizpah.

1. He had a tough start.
…but he was the son of a harlot.”

2. He was severely rejected.
“You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house…”
Your pain often has its source in someone else’s behaviour.

3. Wise Response
“…dwelt in the land of Tob;”
Tob:—to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right.
a. Forgive It b. Bless It c. Give Thanks

Romans 8:28 (NIV) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
It’s all good! Dwell in TOB!!!!

Things shift in TOB:
1. Acrimony TO Acceptance 2. Disappointment TO Discovery
3. Pain TO Preparation 4. Rejection TO Revelation
5. Resistance TO Reigning

4. The Awesome Comeback

Left in disgrace comeback in Honour Left alone comeback with Elders
Left in rags comeback General’s robe Left secretly comeback in PARADE
Left a nobody comeback Commander

Make Your FACTION FUNCTION!
You’re a secret in God. You’re a Commander waiting to happen. Turn your rejection into promotion.

Ephesians 4:3
“Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace.”

REALationships Series 4, Factions to Function, Sermon notes to print, PDF

REALationships Series 4, Faction To Function, PowerPoint Slides, PDF