Quarantine Quarrels

James 4:1-8

James 4:1-7

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

A Posture of Humility:

Overlooks Often.

A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 19:11

Shows Gentleness.

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Galatians 6:1

3. Listens First.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

4. Takes Ownership.

Admit

Apologize

Ask

5. Forgives Always.

Bear with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:13

6. Focuses on Hope

Homework: Evaluate on a scale of 1 to 10 how well you practice each of the six results of humility in the relationships closest to you. Make an intentional effort to take this posture of humility this week and working on the six results in your life. At the end of the week, reevaluate each one and determine where progress has been made.

THE MYSTERY CALLED MARRIAGE (SPANISH TRANSLATION) by Community of Faith

HOW TO STAY TOGETHER WHEN YOU’RE STUCK TOGETHER
THE MYSTERY CALLED MARRIAGE
May 2/3

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church —  for we are members of his body.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-32

1. THE MYSTERY OF MARRIAGE

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

“A man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5



2. THE VISION OF MARRIAGE

“the two will become one flesh.” Mark 10:8


3. THE COST OF MARRIAGE


“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...” Ephesians 5:25

Marriage is a trap


Marriage is a knife


“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another.” Proverbs. 27:17

“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work.” Isaiah 54:16

Marriage is a wound




The foundation of marriage is not love, but vows.



One Thing: Spend Time With God Daily


“Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, 42 but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

GOD’S PLAN FOR MARITAL SUCCESS
April 25/26, 2020

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

“It’s by God’s grace that you’re saved, through faith--and even the faith is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so no one could boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9


WE WORK OUT WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY WORKED IN

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

A lot of us believe IN God, but do we believe God? 


WHAT GOD DEMANDS, HE SUPPLIES 

“Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.” Matthew 12:13



EQUALIZE THE PRESSURE

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;  Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:17-20


“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23 




CHOOSE TO CONTROL MY TONGUE

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 


“So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.  And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body. And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.” James 3:4-11 

“Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29-30 
“Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults.  But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another…” Ephesians 4:31-32  

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.” Philippians 2:14


REPLACE COMPLAINING WITH GRATITUDE


“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18


HOMEWORK: PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Mark & Laura’s new habit

5 encouraging things

GOD’S PLAN FOR MARITAL SUCCESS
April 25/26, 2020

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

“It’s by God’s grace that you’re saved, through faith--and even the faith is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so no one could boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9


WE WORK OUT WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY WORKED IN

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13

A lot of us believe IN God, but do we believe God? 


WHAT GOD DEMANDS, HE SUPPLIES 

“Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.” Matthew 12:13



EQUALIZE THE PRESSURE

“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;  Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:17-20


“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23 




CHOOSE TO CONTROL MY TONGUE

“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 


“So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.  And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body. And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.” James 3:4-11 

“Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29-30 
“Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults.  But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another…” Ephesians 4:31-32  

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.” Philippians 2:14


REPLACE COMPLAINING WITH GRATITUDE


“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18


HOMEWORK: PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Mark & Laura’s new habit

5 encouraging things

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
How to Stay Together When You’re Stuck Together
The Joy of Marriage
April 18/19, 2020


“…fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” Hebrews 12:2

“I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord God helps Me, Therefore, I am not disgraced; Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:6-7


1. FOCUS ON JOY, NOT MY NEEDS.



The number one marriage destroyer is not adultery, not drifting apart slowly, but selfishness. 


“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…” Mark 10:43

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” Song of Solomon 2:15 


2. FOCUS ON JOY, NOT MY RIGHTS

Relationships matter more than rules and rights.

“This is my beloved, and this is my friend” Song of Solomon 5:15


3. FOCUS ON JOY, NOT MY HAPPINESS


Focusing on momentary happiness leads to dissatisfaction.

God’s goal for you is growth. 


“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 3:18

 “…let us press on to maturity…” Hebrews 6:1

“…for he is using your sufferings to make you ready for his kingdom.” 
2 Thessalonians 1:5

Focusing on growth leads to joy.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8


“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit, not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-

4. FOCUSING ON JESUS AND HIS WAY, LEADS TO JOY

“… and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” John 14:16

When you hit the wall, fix your eyes on Jesus. 


Assignment: Practice Spiritual breathing.

IN HEALTH AND IN HEALTH (Spanish Translation by Community of Faith

EASTER 2020 (SPANISH TRANSLATION) by Community of Faith

EASTER 2020 
RESURRECTION POWER IN THE MOMENT OF CRISIS


That evening, the disciples gathered together. And because they were afraid of reprisals from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors to the place where they met. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, “Peace to you!”  Then he showed them the wounds of his hands and his side—they were overjoyed to see the Lord with their own eyes!  Jesus repeated his greeting, “Peace to you!” And he told them, “Just as the Father has sent me, I’m now sending you.”  Then, taking a deep breath, he blew on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.” John 20:19-24

1. THE CRISIS

"... the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.” John 20:19

"It was late that Sunday evening..." John 20:19 


"All the disciples deserted him and fled." Matthew 26:25


 – Grief – Fear – Exhaustion – Trauma – Failure – Doubt –

In the midst of our messy lives, Jesus shows up!


“That evening, the disciples gathered together. And because they were afraid of reprisals from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors to the place where they met. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, “Peace to you!” John 20:19

2. THE PEACE 


Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! …They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. John 20:20

The lesson of Easter: Christ is already here!

Christ’s presence bring peace.

“Then, taking a deep breath, he bled on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins — and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.” John 20:22


“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

3. THE POWER

Resurrection power doesn’t leave things undone.

“... How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God. That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when he was raised from the dead..." Ephesians 1:20

“… we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”  2 Corinthians 1:9b 

We have to stop relying on ourselves and learn to rely on God.

It is through death that the power of resurrection transforms.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person…” Romans 12:1

God isn’t interested in your comfort, he’s interested in your character.

Resurrection power works best in a graveyard.

GOOD FRIDAY 2020 (Spanish Translation) by Community of Faith