Today marks week three in the 40 days of community. let's keep the pace in reading the guide! here's sunday sermon for those who missed it. it's rather lengthy( i copied three pages of notes!!!) so please bear with me:


Week THREE: 2 -- 8th Feb 2009
Sermon Topic: "What destroys relationships and what builds them?
Preacher: Ps Stanley
Scripture Text: James 4: 1-12


Introduction:

* relational conflict extends to every level of society. we're not free from conflict!
*loving one another may be the key, but it is easier said than done.


What is the source of all fights and conflicts amongs us all?
Scripture reference: James 4: 1

What destroys relationships?

-Most fights and conflicts stem from unresloved problems in the past.
-Root cause of conflicts--> DESIRE(carries a negative connoctation in Greek).
Scripture refrence: Mark 7: 20-23
-Summing up, the desires in our heart is the root of all our relationships.

Two desires that constitute the evil desires in our heart:
Disclaimer: This list is not exhaustive, there are many other root causes but due to time constrain, pastor chose these two out of the rest.

->Selfish Desires.
Scripture reference: James 4: 23
When we stop working hard in our relationships, selfishness creeps in!
Scripture reference: Phillipians 2: 3-4

->Prideful Desires.
Scripture reference: James 4: 6 (adopted from Proverbs)
Pride: huperephanos, which literally means "he who shows himself above other people."
-Pride tends to show in criticism.
-The comparing sprit hints pride.
-The most destructive side of pride: when pride blinds one from seeing one's sin.
-In any relatonship, it takes two hands to clap.


What then builds relationships?

1. Submit ourselves to God.
Scripture reference: James 4: 6
-All relational problems stem from problems with God.
-Our conflict with another person inevitably and indirectly involves God. Why? The bible says, how can we say we love God when we hate our brother? By being in conflict with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we are indirectly saying we are in conflict with God!

Therefore, humble ourselves before God:
*Submit/confess our sin to God. Forsake our sins!
Scripture reference: 1 John 1:9

*Humble ourselves before others! Genuine confessions involves specific apology and asking for forgiveness. confessions ought to be short and not lengthy.


2. We must resist the devil.
Scripture reference: James 4: 7

How do we resist the devil?

->the only reason how we can stand before any spritual being is because of the blood of Jesus.
->the blood of Jesus gives us the authority.
->But for us to have the authority of Jesus, we must be right with God and our brothers/sisters.
As pastor illustrated, there was a man trying to cast demons out of a man. Instead of leaving the man, they replied to him:"Jesus we know, Paul we know. Who are you?!"
->In resisting the devil, we say,"In the name of Jesus, I reject you Satan and your thoughts."


3. We come near to God.
Scripture reference: James 4: 8
-We fear rejection. Naturally.
-but when we draw near to God, God draws near to us.


4. Stop judging others.
Scripture reference: James 4: 11-12.
-Conflict is inevitable when judging happens.


Conclusion: Psalms 133: 1-3.

i have to say, whatever that is written above MAY not be exactly what was shared on Sunday. Many times i have to paraphrase what was shared so i can copy down more notes. i hope that this helps though. if you do have anything to add, i will be more than willing to 'zheng' this post.hahaha just email the boyzone email. yup!

A not-so-friendly reminder: Please remember to read the guide! cell's the same this saturday at 5! as usual, we will watch the video first before proceeding with worship and discussion. yup!

isaac