--PRE-SERVICE PRAYER--

Focus: Trusting God in Prayer

Foundation Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3 (NKJV)

Prayer Points:
1. Call on Him
2. Expect an Answer
3.Hear What the Spirit is Saying
4. Pray for Sunday Service

--MESSAGE--
F.O.L.K.S.

Introduction:
Whether it’s friends, family (“F”), neighbors, co-workers, social groups, frats/sororities (“Ordinary ones”), fiancée & dating (“L”oved Ones), kids (“K”), & spouse (“S”), God has “programmed” us to live in community with one another. We must interact with others and engage in the relationships we have all around us.

Foundation Scripture

The book of Colossians houses the foundations of Linked UP Church’s vision. How we relate to God, ourselves, each other, and our community is, what we believe, to be the essence of God’s Will for our lives

We already spoke about communication which leads to conflict AND leads to peace.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict is defined as a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; strife, controversy, quarrel: conflicts between parties; discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or principles: a conflict of ideas.

Resolution is defined as a decision or determination; a resolve; to make a firm resolution to do something; the act determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.; the act of resolving; firmness of purpose; the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute.

Simply stated, conflict resolution is the effort to come to an understanding & agreeable state of functional existence between 2 or more people, groups, or parties.

So, before engaging in conflict resolution, one must agree to these definitions, not “winning” but to do something to make the relationship work.

These women have done great work together and now Paul is begging that they resolve their issues so that the Gospel can continue through their impactful works together!

These are Jesus’ guidelines for dealing with those who sin against us.

They were meant for
(1) Christians, not unbelievers,
(2) sins committed against you and not others, and
(3) conflict resolution in the context of the church, not the community at large.

Jesus’ words are not a license for a frontal attack on every person who hurts or slights us. They are not a license to start a destructive gossip campaign or to call for a church trial. Jesus gives an orderly way to handle conflicts with increasing public accountability at each step. We should first appeal to the individual and his or her conscience. If that doesn’t work, then the community should be called in, but gradually, first with a few, then more. Jesus urges us to reconcile wherever conflict among believers threatens to damage relationships or the church community so that all can live in harmony. When someone wrongs us, we often do the opposite of what Jesus recommends. We turn away in hatred or resentment, seek revenge, or engage in gossip, verbal counterattacks, or smear campaigns. By contrast, we should go to that person first, as difficult as that may be. Then we should forgive them as often as they need it (18:21-22). This will create a much better chance of restoring the relationship.

1. Initiative - Someone must want resolution and it starts with a conversation with active listening.

COUNTER PRACTICE: Temper tantrum, anger, retaliation

People who can’t communicate think everything is an argument. -Daniel Chidiac

2. Humility - the pursuit of peace over personal victory.

COUNTER PRACTICE: Competition – attempting to win through dominance or power.

3. Compromise – find the common ground.

COUNTER PRACTICE: Control – one party decides to function alone.

4. Focus on the real issue.

COUNTER PRACTICE: Avoidance – no one takes action or responsibility to address the real issues, and everyone suffers.

COUNTER PRACTICE: Accommodating – one party is willing to forfeit their position, but it ends up making the situation worse most often.

Conclusion: Conflict is unavoidable. For some of us, our mere existence poses conflict some