09 Dec Prince of Peace | Part 2 “The Keys to Relational Peace”
Posted at 11:54h
in
Guide
by Mary Ann Parsons
Get the latest updates at what’s happening at waters by texting ‘waterschurch’ to 41411
Ornaments are available for purchase between Thanksgiving and Christmas in the amount of $50 and $100 to sponsor a guest for Night to Shine. Look for the white Christmas tree in the lobby each weekend!
Guatemala trip has been moved one week later to February 23 – March 2nd. If you plan on going on this trip we need your application asap.
We offer two types of classes:
Starting Point: What is Christianity all about? Is the Bible really more than just a book? Who is Jesus? No matter where we are in life, we all have questions. Starting Point is a great place to explore the faith and have safe and open discussions about some of life’s toughest questions.
Growth Track: In this 3 part class; Discover, Deepen, & Dedicate; you will get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Waters Church and have an opportunity to ask your own. This is the perfect place to get to know the “Why” behind the “What” of who we are as a church.
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Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:1-16
Relationships are difficult. People can be challenging. We can get stressed out by the relationships we have.
MY RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET OF MY LIFE.
When we are at death’s door, the most important thing we want is the people we do life with. What leads to long-term health is not health, wealth or fame, but close-knit relationships. We need to get good friends. When we get to the end of our lives, if we have two or three good friends, then we are doing well. Relationships come and go but the close ones will be the most important decision we make. Most of us are not intentional about our relationships.
WITHOUT INTENTIONALITY, MY RELATIONSHIPS CAN CAUSE STRESS.
If we have as much as one toxic relationship, it will cause greater risk of heart attack or stroke. Toxic people are those who suck the life out of us.
Q. What has been the most stressful relationship that you have had?
We receive the grace of God in vain, when we get involved int he wrong kind of relationships, as the church of Corinth did. The church of Corinth was Paul’s most demanding congregation. This congregation was full of EGR’s. Extra Grace Required. False teachers had infiltrated the church and wrecked a lot of people’s faith. They called themselves Super Apostles and they denied that Paul, who started the church, was an Apostle. The church started following these ‘Super Apostles’ who were up to no good.
Q. Have you ever witnessed someone’s faith being wrecked by following a false teacher and how did they get off track?
FOUNDATIONAL POINT:
THE GOSPEL DOESN’T JUST BRING US PEACE WITH GOD, IT INFORMS OUR PEACE WITH OTHERS.
We let people in and they start to affect the way we feel. They rent space in our head. We take our anger out on others because we never deal with them. When we know our relationship with God is right , then we are filled with holy boldness on how to interact with people on earth. When we have Jesus’s approval, we don’t need the approval of others. We should not compromise our values to be in a group.
Q. When have you compromised your values to fit in and why?
THREE KEYS TO RELATIONAL PEACE:
KEY #1. OPEN MY HEART TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
Finding Mr and Mrs Right.
Who are the Right people?
TRAIT #1 : PEOPLE WHO ENDURE TROUBLE WELL.
2 Corinthians 6:4-6 NLT
Some people fly off the handle at the littlest thing. Something goes wrong and they stop going to church. We should walk with those that know how to endure with Christ.
Psalm 101:6 NLT
RIGHT PEOPLE TRAIT #2: PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO TROUBLE WITH GODLY CHARACTER.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7 NLT
We need to look for people who bring peace, not anxiety.
RIGHT PEOPLE TRAIT #3: PEOPLE WITH HEAVENLY RESPECT
The Devil makes us think life is all we have. It is not YOLO (You Only Live Once) for us as Christians, it is YOLT (You Only Live Twice).
2 Corinthians 6:8-10 ESV
Paul has problems but he knows that this life is not his total life. There is heaven to come. In heaven, somebody knows our name. As Christians, Our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life!
Proverbs 22:10 NCV
Q. Can you give an example of those you have had relationships with that did not fit the above 3 traits and why? Are they still in your circle?
KEY #2. GUARD MY HEART FROM THE WRONG PEOPLE.
Even Jesus withdrew from the wrong people. We are to love people, but we should not be fools and jump into relationships with them and think it is going to get better.
Mark 3:13-19 NLT
Jesus picked them because he liked them. We need to move with the movers.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16 ESV
This is not just for marriage but it applies to other relationships as well. We should not yoke up with unbelievers. This does not mean we should avoid them, but we should not give our whole life to those that don’t love Jesus.
Deuteronomy 22:10 KJV
We won’t get anywhere and we won’t go any further in our faith if we are yoked up with unbelievers. Of course, if one is married to an unbeliever, they should stay married.
Q. What may have been an experience you have had being yoked with an unbeliever (business partner, marriage etc.)? Why is it important that as believers, we should not be yoked with them?
Key #3: IMMERSE MY LIFE INTO THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 ESV
Our God is alive. In the Body of Christ we experience the presence of God in the community of faith.
IDEA: Meet people in the lobby before and after service and help them find a small group.
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, THE LOST, WOONSOCKET AS WE COME CLOSE TO SIGNING ON A LEASE TO A PERMANENT LOCATION AND OTHER UPCOMING CAMPUSES THE ROOF AS IT HAS SEVERAL LEAKS AND WILL COST MUCH $$ TO REPLACE , THE CHURCH, THE NATION AND LEADERS AND GUATEMALA MISSION. ALSO PRAY FOR NIGHT TO SHINE, FOR GUESTS TO REGISTER AND ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SERVE.
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