DEVOTED

“Devoted to His People”
Pastor Ben Johnson – March 3, 2024

EVERYONE is devoted to SOMETHING.

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) – All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer... And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

The TRUTH about people…
all people deal with CONFLICT.

• Some relationships don’t SURVIVE conflict.

• Conflict can STRENGTHEN relationships.

• Unresolved conflict can IMPACT our SPIRITUAL LIFE.

• Reconciliation is ALWAYS available.

Romans 12:17-18 (NLT) – Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Some Wisdom for Navigating Conflict:

HUMILITY: Understand the CONDITION of my own heart.

Matthew 12:34-35 (NIV) – …For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

SELF-CONTROL: Impulsiveness KILLS reconciliation.

James 1:19-20 (NLT) – Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

GENTLENESS: Choose WORDS that have the best CHANCE of being heard.

Proverbs 18:19 (NLT) - An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

INTEGRITY: OWN our mistakes.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT) - “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

FORGIVENESS: ASK for it, or OFFER it.

Luke 17:4 (NLT) - “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”