RELATIONSHIP GOALS SERIES

· NEW HERE- WE HAVE SEVERAL CAMPUSES

· LAST WEEK LAUNCHED HISPANIC CAMPUS-56

· ESPERANZA VIVA CELEBRATED 20 YEARS

· 1 ASK- STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS HUNT 2 HARVEST

· TODAY BEGIN A NEW SERIES RELATIONSHP GOALS

DEFINE GOAL:

· AN AIM OR PURPOSE

· INTENTION- TARGET

DUDE PERFECT TRICK SHOTS

· THESE GUYS HAVE MADE MILLIONS-HOW?

· THEY GET A TARGET-THEY AIM-THEY SHOOT

· THE TARGETS THEY SHOOT AT-UNUSUAL

WE HAVE EVERY OTHER KIND OF GOAL

· WEIGHT LOSS GOAL EDUCATIONAL DEGREE GOAL

· JOB PROMOTION GOAL

· GET OUT OF DEBT GOAL

· SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE GOAL

DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE RELATIONSHIP GOALS?

HOW IMPORTANT ARE RELATIONSHIPS ANYWAY?

PURPOSE:

· WE WOULD HAVE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF TOOLS TO MAINTAIN GOD HONORING RELATIONSHIPS

GENESIS 2:18. GOOD GOOD GOOD

18. “THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO BE ALONE. I WILL MAKE A HELPER WHO IS JUST RIGHT FOR HIM.

# 1 TACTIC FOR PUNISHING-ISOLATION-NOT SOLITUDE

VIDEO ON BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

· BUSINESS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ITS IMPORTANCE

· DO WE?

· I DON’T THINK HES SUGGESTING APPROACH THIS SELFISHLY

· IDENTIFYING GENUINE RELATIONSHIP BUILDIUNG

· WE DO RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE WE BELIEVE WE ARE CALLED TOGETHER FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN US IN GODS KINGDOM

GENESIS 2:7-8

7. “THEN THE LORD GOD FORMED A MAN FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND. HE BREATHED THE BREATH OF LIFE OF LIFE INTO THE MAN’S NOSTRILS, AND THE MAN BECAME A LIVING PERSON. THEN THE LORD GOD PLANTED A GARDEN IN EDEN IN THE EAST, AND THERE HE PLACED THE MAN HE HAD MADE.

PLACED

· WHAT PLACE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

· WHERE HAS HE PLACED YOU? STILL LOOKING?

 GENESIS 2:9

9. “THE LORD GOD MADE ALL SORTS OF TREES GROW UP FROM THE GROUND-TREES THAT WERE BEAUTIFUL AND THAT PRODUCED DELICIOUS FRUIT. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN HE PLACED THE TREE OF LIFE AND THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.”

PROVIDES

· THE LORD PLACES THE MAN

· THEN HE HAS PROVISION FOR THE MAN

· HE PLACES AND PROVIDES

· MANY OF YOU HAVE SERVED THE LORD

· HAS HE NOT ALWAYS PROVIDED?

· NO EVE YET

 GENESIS 2:15

15. “THE LORD GOD PLACED THE MAN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO TEND AND WATCH OVER IT.”

PURPOSE

· WHERE YOU LOOKING TO FIND PURPOSE?

· PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE? AGE OLD QUESTION

 SCRIPTURE GENESIS 2:16

16. “BUT THE LORD GOD WARNED HIM, YOU MAY FREELY EAT THE FRUIT OF EVERY TREE IN THE GARDEN.”

GENESIS 2:17

17. EXCEPT THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. IF YOU EAT ITS FRUIT, YOU ARE SURE TO DIE.”

GARDEN IMAGE

· LONGWOOD GARDENS- DUPONT

· HE DOESN’T SAY- YOU HAVE 2 CHOICES

· HE PROVIDES INCREDIBLE OPTIONS

· HE SAYS ALL OF IT IS YOURS- EXCEPT 1 THING

· CHRISTIANITY HAS TOO MANY RESTRICTIONS

· HANDCUFFS ME- YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL

PARAMETERS

· THE LORD PROVIDES GUARDRAILS FOR ADAM

· HERE ARE THE BOUNDARY LINES FOR YOU

· HE DOES THE SAME FOR US INDIVIDUALLY

· WHAT DOG DOES WHEN LET HIM OUT THE DOOR

· RUNS TO THE EDGE-PERIMETER.

GENESIS 1:26

26. THEN GOD SAID, “LET US MAKE HUMAN BEINGS IN OUR IMAGE, TO BE LIKE US. THEY WILL REIGN OVER FISH IN THE SEA, THE BIRDS IN THE SKY, THE LIVESTOCK, ALL THE WILD ANIMALS ON THE EARTH, AND THE SMALL ANIMALS THAT SCURRY ALONG THE GROUND.”

 IDENTITY

· IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP- IT HINGES ON THIS

· DOESN’T MATTER WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP

· IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR IDENTITY- YOU WILL STRUGGLE

· HINGES ON HIM- WHO DOES HE WANT ME TO BE

 WORDS P/P/P/P IDENTITY

PLACE. PROVISION. PURPOSE. PARAMETERS. IDENTITY

MANY PEOPLE (MAYBE US) HAVE THE WRONG TARGET?

SO WHAT IS YOUR GOAL OR GOALS? WHAT ARE THEY?

HOW MANY ARE USING/ALLOWING CULTURE TO PROVIDE THE TARGET?

WHAT IS BAROMETER TO HELP SET PROPER GOALS?

RELATIONAL GOALS ARE KARDASHIAN ESTABLISHED

· THE OTHER ISSUE IS MANY OF US HAVE POOR AIM

· WE DON’T MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR WEATHER

· DISTANCE

 TARGET WITH CROSS IN THE CENTER

· HERE IS A TARGET

· DEATH TO LIFE- DIE TO YOURSELF- SEEK TO ELEVATE OTHERS

· JESUS “I CAME NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE”

· EVERYONE NEEDS EXAMPLES/RELATIONSHIPS

 PYRAMID

· THINK OF IT LIKE A PYRAMID-

· TOP IS OF COURSE GOD- MOST IMPORTANT

· PAUL- A MENTOR (HE MENTORED TIMOTHY)

· BARNABAS-COMRADE/PEER JOIN YOU

· TIMOTHY-YOU HELP/POUR IN TO

· SAMARITAN- OPEN YOUR HANDS TO LIFT UP

· FOR ONE-DO HAVE 1 THAT DOESN’T KNOW JESUS?

 RELATIONSHIP GOALS

1. FIND MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST

2. FIND 12 MEN THIS CALENDAR YEAR TO JOURNEY WITH ME IN PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP

3. HAVE OUR KIDS WANT TO HANG OUT WITH US, EVEN WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE TO.

4. COMMUMINCATE BETTER

5. GET COMPLETELY OUT OF DEBT

JOHN THE BAPTIST

· JOHN STATES HIS RELATIONSHIP GOALS

· HE MUST INCREASE

· I MUST DECREASE

EVEN THE MISSION IS A RELATIONSHIP. ITS NOT A TASK, THE MISSION IS A RELATIONSHIP. GOD IS SEEKING TO BRING YOU INTO A RELATIONSHIP, AND ONCE WE’RE THERE, TO BRING OTHERS TO RELATIONSHIP.

SALVATION IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD/JESUS. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THE MISSION THAT GOD SENT JESUS ON WAS TO BUILD A TEAM. GOD SENT JESUS TO BUILD A TEAM, AND HE CALLED THESE MEN TO BE WITH HIM, FOLLOW HIM, BUILD THEIR LIVES ON HIM AND THAT RELATIONSHIP.

JESUS RELATIONSHIP GOALS:

· COME FOLLOW ME AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

THIS IS HOW THEY WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLE THAT YOU “LOVE ONE ANOTHER”

HES BEEN SEEKING TO RESTORE THAT BROKNESS EVER SINCE

IM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO FEAR

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

FROM MY MOTHERS WOMB

YOU HAVE CHOSEN ME

LOVE HAS CALLED MY NAME

IVE BEEN BORN AGAIN INTO A FAMILY

YOUR BLOOD FLOWS THROUGH MY VEINS

I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM

I AM CHOSEN NOT FORSAKEN

I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM

YOU ARE FOR ME NOT AGAINST ME

I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM

WHO THE SUN SETS FREE

IS FREE INDEED

IM A CHILD OF GOD YES I AM

ADOPTION SONG LYRICS

I renounce the lie That I don’t measure up I renounce the lie

I’m unworthy of Your love And when shame comes knocking And fear starts talking I will lift my hands In Your presence, You remind me who I am

I am adopted I am beloved

It’s my inheritance I’m a child of god So when the liar Starts mouthing off I’ll sing in confidence My adoption song

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives

https://www.bible.com/events/49384868

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Relationship Goals Part 1

Our Identity is in Christ

Over the next few weeks, we will work through several relationship goals that we can see in the scriptures.

By naming this series Relationship Goals, we are acknowledging from the very beginning that our relationships have room to grow. They may need work, maybe even a lot of it. We also recognize that WE need work. that ME in relationship, needs work.

The purpose of this series is not to make you feel guilty about yourself or the quality of your relationships. Our desire is to offer hope, to set some goals and find practical tools that will help us work on our relationships.

As the old saying goes “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” So why not set some goals to get us where the bible is calling in our relationships?

Today we begin with relationship goal #1 “Our identity is in Christ”

In relationships we must begin by grounding our own identity in Christ before pursing relationship with others.

To know who we are as a child of God created in his image for a purpose, frees us to engage in relationships freely and with confidence because we know that no individual can ever be my “number 1” in any relationship because that place is always reserved for Jesus.

To get a clearer picture of our identity and god’s design, I want us to go back to the beginning, let’s turn to Genesis chapter 2

In genesis 1-2 we have the account of how the Lord created everything Sun, moon, and stars, land and sea and everything in it. There is no sin present, everything is as God designed and intended it to be, including the first man, Adam.

Let’s read about his beginnings

Genesis 2:7-8

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.

“God formed a man from the dust of the ground”

Who are you? You are god’s masterpiece, skillfully and purposefully created. You are not an accident. You are created with intrinsic value and worth. Formed, shaped, knit together by the hand of the Lord.

“Breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”

This idea is of the breath that you would blow onto an ember to bring it flame. God took the elements of the earth and breathed life into them.

Genesis 2:15-17

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

The Lord had a specific plan, a specific place for Adam. He gave him a calling, a vocation, a purpose to give his life work to.

Like Adam we are created for a purpose, to glorify God as he has a plan for us. The Lord also gave parameters, instructions on how to live out his calling and how to live in relationship with God.

Adam first found his identity in relationship with the Lord. It was there that Adam had fulfilled the deep core created longings of his heart. And now he was ready for relationship.

Genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Having our identity, purpose, and belonging secure in the Lord, doesn’t mean we don’t need relationships. I believe it means we are ready for relationships.

Adam had all this sorted out and settled in the Lord, but God still looks at him and sees “it’s not good for man to be alone”. And what we see in this passage, in this “not good” idea, is that we were made for relationships. It’s part of who we are and how we are made.

We are made to be in community and relationship with others. It’s good. But don’t miss the order in which the Lord brought these things together.

Adam first had his identity in the Lord, THEN relationship with Eve.

If we enter into relationship with our identity being incomplete, inevitably we will seek to complete ourselves, our identity, our purpose, our value, in another person. And friends that is not going to go well. We cannot expect any other person to complete something that God designed for himself.

That means that nobody can be our number 1. Not our parents, not our kids, not our spouse, or even our best friend. That place must be reserved for Christ alone.

And friends, that’s why our first relationship Goal is “Our identity is in Christ First.”

‭‭LAST WEEK OF SERIES HEALTHY ME

STARTED 3 WEEKS AGO

COVERED LONELINESS- DEPRESSION-ANXIETY

 LONELINESS

1. RECOGNIZE/REALIZE GODS PROMISE TO NEVER FORSAKE US.
2. EMBRACE GODS DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY.
3. ASK YOURSELF “WILL ANYONE BENEFIT FROM MY LONELINESS?

 DEPRESSION/ANXIETY

1. EMBRACE COMMUNITY
2. CAST YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM (I PETER 5:7)
3. LISTEN FOR HIS WHISPER. HE WISHPERS BECAUSE HE IS CLOSE.
4. MEET WITH A TRAINEDE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR.
5. POSSIBLY MEET WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

THIS WEEK: ANGER- SOME THINGS REALL

SLIDE 5: COMMANDERS/REDSKINS HELMET/LOGO

• I MEAN I KNOW THIS IS TROUBLE
• SOME OF US ARE EXCITED TODAY
• SOME OF US- THIS MAKES US ANGRY TODAY

SLIDE 6: PICTURE OF TOILET PAPER ROLL

• WHEN THIS HAPPENS- DOESN’T IT TICK YOU OFF?
• WHEN IT HAPPENS IN A PUBLIC PLACE- AWFUL
• HAPPENS IN YOUR HOUSE- ROLLS RIGHT THERE

SLIDE 5: LONELINESS

• RECOGNIZE/REALIZE GODS PROMISE TO NEVER FORSAKE US.
• EMBRACE GODS DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY.
• ASK YOURSELF “WILL ANYONE BENEFIT FROM MY LONELINESS?

DEPRESSION/ANXIETY

1. EMBRACE COMMUNITY
2. CAST YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM (I PETER 5:7)
3. LISTEN FOR HIS WHISPER. BECAUSE HE IS CLOSE.
4. MEET WITH A TRAINEDE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR.
5. POSSIBLY MEET WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

ANGER:

• WOMEN LOSE TEMPER 3 XS WEEK/MEN 6 TIMES
• WOMAN ARE MORE VERBAL WITH ANGER
• MEN ARE MORE PHYSICAL
• WOMEN EXPRESS ANGER AT PEOPLE/ MEN AT THINGS
• SINGLE ADULTS EXPRESS ANGER TWICE AS OFTEN AS MARRIED
• PLACE YOU EXPRESS ANGER MOST OFTEN AT HOME
• 51 ILLNESSES ARE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO ANGER

  “SPEAK WHEN YOU ARE ANRGY AND YOU WILL MAKE THE BEST SPEECHES YOU WILL EVER REGRET”

  AMBROSE BIERCE

INTRODUCED TO ANGER  

GENESIS 4:2-7

  ² Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

EPHESIANS 4:22

   “YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.

EPHESIANS 4:25-26

   THEREFORE EACH OF YOU MUST PUT OFF FALSEHOOD AND SPEAK TRUTHFULLY TO YOUR NEIGHBOR, FOR WE ARE ALL MEMBERS OF ONE BODY. “IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN. DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY.

• HE HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT UNITY
• HE HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT SENSUALITY/GREED

SUNSET

• EVERY SUNSET- BEAUTY IN IT
• THINK- AM I ANGRY WITH SOMEONE?

 EPHESIANS 4:27-28

  27. AND DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD. ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN STEALING MUST STEAL NO LONGER, BUT MUST WORK, DOING SOMETHING USEFUL WITH THEIR OWN HANDS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THOSE IN NEED.

 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

• THE LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE PROBLEM UNDER HOOD- ENGINE NEEDS CHECK UP.

WARNING IMAGE

  READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND OPERATORS MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS EMOTION.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

• I WONDER HOW MANY OF US STRUGGLE WITH ANGER? WE MIGHT STRUGGLE BECAUSE WE FEEL GUILTY THAT WE HAVE IT- YOU SHOULDN’T
• GOD GIVEN EMOTION
• CANNOT LET IT RULE YOU- LIVE IN IT
• YOU SHOULD HEAD WARNINGS GIVEN ABOUT IT

WORD INDULGE MEANS:

 TO GIVE FREE REIGN- TO GRATIFY (CANT WITH ANGER)

JOHN 2:13

  13. “THE PASSOVER OF THE JEWS WAS NEAR, AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. IN THE TEMPLE HE FOUND PEOPLE SELLING CATTLE, SHEEP, AND DOVES AND THE MONEY CHANGERS SEATED AT THEIR TABLES.

 JOHN 2:15

  15. MAKING A WHIP OF CORDS, HE DROVE THEM ALL OUT OF THE TEMPLE, WITH THE SHEEP AND THE CATTLE. HE ALSO POURED OUT THE COINS OF THE MONEY CHANGERS AND OVERTURNED THEIR TABLES.

JOHN 2:16

  16. HE TOLD THOSE WHO WERE SELLING DOVES, “TAKE THESE THINGS OUT OF HERE! STOP MAKING MY FATHERS HOUSE A MARKETPLACE!”

“IT IS WRITTEN, MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER” BUT YOU ARE MAKING IT A DEN OF ROBBERS. ( HOUSE OR WORSHIP/PREACHING)

• I READ THIS IS BECAUSE JESUS GETS ANGRY
• BUT ITS NOT BECAUSE OF WHATS DONE TO HIM
• HES ANGRY BECAUSE OTHERS ARE MISTREATED

 PICTURE OF TWO MEN

• ADOLF AND RUDOLF DASSLER (2 YEARS APART)
• 1948 RUDOLF ESTABLISHES PUMA
• 1949 ADOLF ESTABLISHES ADDIDAS

   In 1948, after over 30 years of working together, Adolf and Rudolf abruptly shuttered Geda and separated

GET BURRIED AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF CEMETARY

ANGER IS A PROBLEM

• INCONVENIENCES TRIGGER STRONG ANGER RESPONSE
• ANGER HAS PATTERNS- ANGER UNCONTROLLABLE
• CAN’T NAME WHAT IS CAUSING IT
• BLOWING OFF ANGER ONLY A TEMPORARY RELIEF
• OTHER PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE ANGRY

 ANGER

1. CONSIDER THE CAUSE
2. IS IT DIRECTED AT YOU OR SOMEONBE ELSE?
3. FORGIVE WHEN NECESSARY
4. DON’T MISS OPPORTUNITIES

 ANGER ICEBURG

• ANGER MAY BE WHAT EXPLODES
• MANY OTHER THINGS ARE PUSHING IT OUT.
• TEENAGER DEALS WITH A DATE BROKEN OFF MAY GET ANGRY- BUT ROOT OF THAT WAS REJECTION

 MATTHEW 21:14

  “THE BLIND AND THE CAME TO HIM IN THE TEMPLE AND HE CURED THEM. BUT WHAT THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES SAW AMAZING THINGS THAT HE DID AND HEARD THE CHILDREN CRYING OUR IN THE TEMPLE SAYING” HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID” THEY GOT ANGRY

MARK 4:5-6

  “ HE LOOKED AROUND AT THEM IN ANGER AND, DEEPLY DISTRESSED AT THEIR STUBBORN HEARTS, SAID TO THE MAN, “STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND. “HE STRETCHED IT OUT, AND HIS HAND WAS COMPLETELY RETORED. THEN THE PHARISEES WENT OUT AND BEGAN TO PLOT WITH THE HERODIANS HOW THEY MIGHT KILL JESUS.”

ANGER IS MORE ACCEPTABLE (NOT REALLY LIKEABLE)

IT COVERS UP OTHER EMOTIONS LIKE FEAR AND HURT AND SADNESS AND DEFINITELY PLANTS A ROOT WHICH GROWS INTO BITTTERNESS

ANGER REPRESENTS ONLY WHAT IS SEEN ON THE SURFACE

A TEENAGER WHO GETS A DATE CANCELLED- MIGHT APPEAR TO BE ANGRY ABOUT THE CALLED PLANS BUT IT MIGHT BE MORE ABOUT THE REJECTION FELT OF THE BROKEN DATE

DETAIL FOOTHOLD

PHYSICAL ISSUES FROM ANGER

ROAD RAGE INCIDENTS INCREASED BY

ANGER INCREASED A PERSON LKKELIHOOD TO DEVELOP TYPE 2 DIABETES INCREASED BY 34 %

EXPRESSIONS OF ANGER – OUTBURSTS AND SUPPRESSIONS RESULTED IN LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO

ANSWERS TO ALL OF THESE

IS JESUS DEFINED/CHARACTERIZED BY HIS ANGER?

ARE YOU?

DO PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU BEST- WOULD THEY DEFINE YOU BY ANGER?

WE LOST A GAME ANGER

MAC HOLMES- ANGER

ANGER

DON’T INDULGE IN ANGER

INDULGE BY DEFINITION

DON’T HAVE TO ALWYS EXPRESS OR SUPPRESS

FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON YOUR ANGER

https://www.bible.com/events/49381389

Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus

Healthy Me: Mind Made Up Part 4

Mad is Hell…

Healthy Me is a compassionate invitation to seek healing and wholeness in the area of mental health. Believing that God sees us and he cares about how we are feeling.

Our goal is to provide a biblical approach to our mental health and to gain tools to begin a path towards a healthy me.

This is not about quick fixes, easy answers, or cliché responses. It’s not a substitute for professional counseling. These are tools for the journey of wholeness and healing through Christ.

Today we conclude our series talking about anger.

Anger- a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism. Or a threatening or violent appearance or state.

In our everyday language we might say someone has a short fuse, or a bad temper, they get a little hot headed.

You may be surprised to hear this morning that Anger is actually a God-Given emotion. It is part of our “fight or flight” response system that helps us avoid danger and compels us to action at injustice.

But the truth about this God given emotion is that we often mis-use it. In fact, this emotion comes with specific instructions AND a warning label.

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

How’s your relationship with anger?

Have you read the operators manual for anger? Are you following it’s instructions?

The reality is that failure to follow the biblical approach to anger, could result in serious injury to people around us, and to ourselves. Even death.

Anger might seem like a strange topic for a series on mental health, but the truth is, if we are pursing wholeness and healing in Christ, we must address our anger.

Ephesians 4:25-28

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

It’s really fascinating that right in the midst of lying and stealing having no place in the life of a Christian, Paul addresses anger.

It’s fascinating because I think if we were honest, im not sure many of us would put our anger up there on a list in significance with lying and stealing.

Often times I think look at anger and we want to excuse it, deny it, or attempt to justify it in our lives. But Paul says look- how you handle anger is critical in your life with Christ.

He says “In your anger, do not sin: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”

We need to read carefully here. I think it’s easy to read this and think it’s giving us permission to be angry, but in reality, it’s offering a concession.

Commentator Andrew Lincoln paraphrases this verse by saying:

“Anger is to be avoided at all costs, but if, for whatever reason, you do get angry, then refuse to indulge such anger so that you do not sin.”

When we give into anger, if we allow it to take the controls, we give the devil a vantage point to wage hell on our life, our family, and our relationships.

When anger comes up, use extreme caution.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

If you have been following along in the series, you know we have tried to close each message with a some practical tools for seeking wholeness and health.

We have used acrostics as a way to remember those tools.

For the path to wholeness and healing in the area of anger, i would propose that we remember the letters A.C.T.

A-Awareness. The path to a healthy me in the area of anger begins with awareness. An honest look at the place anger has in our life.

C- Check into it. As we become aware of our anger we need to check into it. “pop the hood” on our emotions and see what’s going on underneath the feelings of anger.

T-Today. We must take action to deal with our anger today. Don’t continue to give the devil free room and board in your life by holding onto anger.

At the end of the day we have a choice with anger.

We might not choose when or how anger enters our lives, but we have a choice and a responsibility when it does.

We can surrender to it, allowing it to control our lives. Or we can surrender our anger to the Lord, and allow him to bring the healing and transformation we need.

What will it be for you?

Winter Retreat: Echo

Echo God ‘s love

Jeremiah 31:1-25

““And when that happens”—God’s Decree— “it will be plain as the sun at high noon: I’ll be the God of every man, woman, and child in Israel and they shall be my very own people.” * * * This is the way God put it: “They found grace out in the desert, these people who survived the killing. Israel, out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!” God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again, dear virgin Israel. You’ll resume your singing, grabbing tambourines and joining the dance. You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards on the Samaritan hillsides, And sit back and enjoy the fruit— oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests! The time’s coming when watchmen will call out from the hilltops of Ephraim: ‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion, go to meet our God!’” * * * Oh yes, God says so: “Shout for joy at the top of your lungs for Jacob! Announce the good news to the number-one nation! Raise cheers! Sing praises. Say, ‘God has saved his people, saved the core of Israel.’ “Watch what comes next: “I’ll bring my people back from the north country And gather them up from the ends of the earth, gather those who’ve gone blind And those who are lame and limping, gather pregnant women, Even the mothers whose birth pangs have started, bring them all back, a huge crowd! “Watch them come! They’ll come weeping for joy as I take their hands and lead them, Lead them to fresh flowing brooks, lead them along smooth, uncluttered paths. Yes, it’s because I’m Israel’s Father and Ephraim’s my firstborn son! “Hear this, nations! God’s Message! Broadcast this all over the world! Tell them, ‘The One who scattered Israel will gather them together again. From now on he’ll keep a careful eye on them, like a shepherd with his flock.’ I, God, will pay a stiff ransom price for Jacob; I’ll free him from the grip of the Babylonian bully. The people will climb up Zion’s slopes shouting with joy, their faces beaming because of God’s bounty— Grain and wine and oil, flocks of sheep, herds of cattle. Their lives will be like a well-watered garden, never again left to dry up. Young women will dance and be happy, young men and old men will join in. I’ll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy. I’ll make sure that their priests get three square meals a day and that my people have more than enough.’” God’s Decree. * * * Again, God’s Message: “Listen to this! Laments coming out of Ramah, wild and bitter weeping. It’s Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace. Her children are gone, gone—long gone into exile.” But God says, “Stop your incessant weeping, hold back your tears. Collect wages from your grief work.” God’s Decree. “They’ll be coming back home! There’s hope for your children.” God’s Decree. “I’ve heard the contrition of Ephraim. Yes, I’ve heard it clearly, saying, ‘You trained me well. You broke me, a wild yearling horse, to the saddle. Now put me, trained and obedient, to use. You are my God. After those years of running loose, I repented. After you trained me to obedience, I was ashamed of my past, my wild, unruly past. Humiliated, I beat on my chest. Will I ever live this down?’ “Oh! Ephraim is my dear, dear son, my child in whom I take pleasure! Every time I mention his name, my heart bursts with longing for him! Everything in me cries out for him. Softly and tenderly I wait for him.” God’s Decree. “Set up signposts to mark your trip home. Get a good map. Study the road conditions. The road out is the road back. Come back, dear virgin Israel, come back to your hometowns. How long will you flit here and there, indecisive? How long before you make up your fickle mind? God will create a new thing in this land: A transformed woman will embrace the transforming God!” * * * A Message from Israel’s God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “When I’ve turned everything around and brought my people back, the old expressions will be heard on the streets: ‘God bless you!’. . . ‘O True Home!’. . . ‘O Holy Mountain!’ All Judah’s people, whether in town or country, will get along just fine with each other. I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.”

Jeremiah 31:1-25 MSG

““That’s right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won’t be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master.” God’s Decree. “This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” God’s Decree.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34 MSG