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The Gospel & Conflict
Big Idea  Because of the
Gospel, conflict can produce
character.
The Context for Conflict

Four Foundational Fractured Relationships
 With
God
 With Self
 With Others
 With Creation
The Crucible of Conflict
The
crucible is
for silver,
& the
furnace is
for gold,
& the
LORD
tests
hearts.
Proverbs 17:3
The Centrality of the Gospel
The Gospel
Gospel
Connections
Gospel
Conduct
The Gospel, The Connection, The Conduct

Romans 5:1-4  1 Therefore, since we
have been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2
Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, & we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More
than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing
that suffering produces endurance, 4 &
endurance produces character…
The Gospel, The Connection, The Conduct

1 Peter 1:6-7  6 In this you rejoice (According to
his great mercy, he has caused us to be born
again…to an inheritance…guarded through faith for
a salvation… – v. 3-5), though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7
so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more
precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by
fire – may be found to result in praise & glory & honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ…. (v. 13
Therefore…set your hope fully on the grace that will
be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…)
Focus on the Family

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This conflict is most painful.
This conflict is most difficult to resolve.
This conflict glorifies God when resolved.
This conflict draws people into the family when
resolved.
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)

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21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how
often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive
him? As many as seven times?"
What is the limit to the forgiveness I must give in
Your Kingdom, Jesus?
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times,
but seventy times seven.”
There is no limit to the forgiveness you must give
in My Kingdom, Peter.
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)


23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who wished to settle accounts
with his servants.
24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him
who owed him ten thousand talents (one talent is
worth about 20 years wages; 200,000 years of
wages; $8,000,000,000 at $40,000/year;
$38,193,223.64 per month on a 30 year loan at
4%). Debt #1
 Count
the Cost of Conflict
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)



25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him
to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he
had, and payment to be made. King’s First Response
26 So the servant fell on his knees imploring him,
“Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.”
Debtor’s Plea #1
27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant
released him and forgave him the debt. King’s Second
Response
Costly
Forgiveness
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)


28 But when that same servant went out, he found
one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred
denarii (one denarii is worth a day’s wage for a
laborer; $16,000 at $20/hour; $76.39 per month
on a 30 year loan at 4%), Debt #2
and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay
what you owe.” Man’s First Response
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)

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29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with
him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.”
Debtor’s Plea #2
30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he
should pay the debt. Man’s Second Response
Unrelenting

Mercilessness
31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken
place, they were greatly distressed, and they went
and reported to their master all that had taken place.
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)

32 Then his master summoned him and said to him,
“You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt
because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you
have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had
mercy on you?”
Forgiveness

should beget forgiveness.
34 And in anger his master delivered him to the
jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
King’s Third Response
Focus on Forgiveness (Matthew 18)

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one
of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your
heart.
Forgiveness

should beget forgiveness.
Big Idea  Because of the Gospel, conflict can
produce character.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
When I realize
that a conflict
exists…
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
I fight or flee.
I take the
initiative to seek
reconciliation
(Rom. 5:8).
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
My top
priority when
I’m in
conflict…
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
I vindicate
myself.
Glorify God
by reflecting
His reconciling
love.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
When others
behave like
enemies…
I treat them
like
enemies.
I love my
enemies, like
Jesus did.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
When I’ve
done
something
wrong…
I cling to my
selfrighteousness.
I trust that I’m
forgiven then
confess.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
When I or
others keep
doing the
same sins…
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
I become
hopeless.
I have hope
because Jesus
promised
change.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
When others
have done
wrong…
I build a
case against
them.
I recall Jesus’
kindness
towards me.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
When others
hurt me
deeply…
I dwell on
their
wrongs.
I forgive as
God
forgave me.
Because of the Gospel…
Situation
When conflict
persists in my
church &/or
LIFE Group…
Knee-jerk
Response
Gospel
Response
I disengage
&/or leave.
I recall, Jesus
died to make
us a family.
(Eph. 4:3)
Homework

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View conflict as an assignment, not an accident.
Get the log out of your own eye so you can see the
speck in your brother’s eye.
Count the cost of conflict & feel the loss.
Initiate forgiveness with the person you’ve sinned
against.
Initiate reconciliation with the person who has sinned
against you.
What homework has God assigned to you?
Meditate on the Gospel.
Because of the Gospel, conflict can produce
character.