Oakwood Church

RECAP

• Love of money and the things of this world lead to destruction and despair

• Love of God and obedience to Him leads to satisfaction and hope

HANG IN THERE

• Begin with the end in mind

• Process conflict appropriately

• Draw encouragement from faith heroes

• Maintain your integrity

Keys to Farming in 1st Century Israel

• Careful planning

• Understanding of local conditions

• Patience

• Faith in the Lord’s provision

Keys to Beginning with the End – the Return of Jesus – in Mind

• Careful planning: Ask yourself, “How can we build God’s Kingdom?”

• Understanding of local conditions: Discover how God is working through church and other believers

• Patience: Allow God to work through us, wait for His timing

• Faith in the Lord’s provision: Be obedient to the process. Trust God to handle the results.

Process Conflict Appropriately

• Do not grumble against one another

• Do not hold a grudge against one another

• Do not complain against one another

Process Conflict Appropriately

X Do not offend one another

• Speak truth in love

• Do not ignore your emotions

Bitterness

• Feelings of sadness, resentment, or anger

• Can result from insult or injury

• Can grow unnoticed for a long time

Bitterness

• How often do little things bother you?

• How often do you feel misunderstood or unappreciated?

• Do you believe you will never truly be happy?

Unwinding Bitterness

• Change your attitude toward other believers to unity and peace

• Walk in a manner worthy of YOUR calling; do not worry about others living up to THEIR calling

• Lean on the example of other mature believers

Biblical Conflict Resolution

• Approach the other in truth with love, with the goal being restoration of relationship

• If needed, return with an intermediary

• If still unresolved, involve the elders

HANG IN THERE

• Begin with the end in mind

• Process conflict appropriately

• Draw encouragement from faith heroes

• Maintain your integrity

Remember the Examples of the Past

• Old Testament: Noah, Daniel, Ruth, David

• New Testament: Paul, Stephen, Jesus

• The present-day suffering saints

Maintain Your Integrity

• Do not invoke oaths.

• Be trustworthy on your own reputation.

• Don’t take the easy way out.

HANG IN THERE

• Begin with the end in mind

• Process conflict appropriately

• Draw encouragement from faith heroes

• Maintain your integrity