WHEN BLOOD BOILS OCTOBER 29, 2023


SCRIPTURE
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. Philippians 4:1-5, NLT


THE PROBLEM IN PHILIPPI
1. These two women were Christians.

2. These two women are influential in the church.

3. These two women were divided over a relational issue.
Paul never shied away from addressing sin or theological error in the church.


INTROOur world conditions us for unresolved conflict. If uncareful, we will co-exist with unresolved issues in our personal lives.
When an issue becomes sustained in the heart and causes division, it must be addressed.

“Takanakuy” is a specific tradition of handling conflict in Peru.
As the family of God, we aren’t to fight with each other but for each other!



OUR ROLE AS THE CHURCH Ekklesia: We are those who have been called out and called together!
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
This specifically relates to sin but can relate to unresolved conflict as well.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3


BUT WHY?!Unresolved issues breed more issues!
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31
Bitterness -- Inner Rage -- Settled Anger -- Indirect Expressions -- Direct Expressions



THE MATTHEW 18 PRINCIPLE
“If another believer sins against you, go privately, and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17


1. If there is an offense, address the situation with the Lord (70%).
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

2. If there is an offense, address the situation in private (25%). It’s difficult to dismiss a heartfelt conversation coming from a person of humility.
A discussion in private may clear up misunderstanding or an immediate apology.


3. If there is no resolution, address the situation with caring friends (4%). The purpose of this conversation is not to choose sides, but to express the seriousness of
the offense.


4. If there is still no resolution, address the situation with pastoral type leadership
( < 1% ). This person should be in spiritual and church authority. This is not a directive to tell the entire congregation.


5. If there is a rebellious and unrepentant heart, address them as a non-believer
( < 1% ). Specifically, this does not seem to be about personal conflict, but unrepentant sin.
This type of situation is very serious and rare. This decision is reserved for leadership.
Very specifically, this is issued when a person has defected from the faith through vile and unrepentant sinful activity or teaching a false gospel.



WHEN SHOULD I ADDRESS AN ISSUE?
1. Is it something that can be overlooked without bitterness?

2. Is it something that is dishonoring to the Lord?

3. Is it something that is damaging you?

4. Is it something that is hurting others?

5. Is it something that is hurting the offender?