National divisions

Political divisions

Ideological divisions

Racial divisions

Relational divisions

Theological divisions

How To Live In A Divided World

“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me.” John 17:20-21 ERV

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NASB 95

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” Colossians 1:13 NASB 95

“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 NASB 95

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44 NASB 95

Acts 17:22-34

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 NASB 95

 “Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 ERV

“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.” Proverbs 16:32 NASB

Three Stages Of Anger

Basic Anger

“When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin,” and don’t stay angry all day.” Ephesians 4:26 ERV

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 ESV

Internal anger

“You heard that it was said to the ancient people, ‘You shall not murder’; and anyone who commits murder shall be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment…” Matthew 5:21-22a NTFE  

Outward anger

“…anyone who uses foul and abusive language will be liable to the lawcourt; and anyone who says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to the fires of Gehenna.” Matthew 5:22b NTFE

When I am angry I need to

“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” Proverbs 14:29 NLT

“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back.” Proverbs 29;11 NIV

“A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow.” Proverbs 15:1 ERV

“Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 NASB

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 NIV

“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, that he may hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.” Psalm 77:1-2 NRSV

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11 NIV

How To Deal With How You Feel

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?”

B. Is it spiritual?

C. Is it physical?

“Put your hope in God…”

What is hope? Hope is the confident expectation of God’s faithfulness. Hope keeps our perspective straight.

“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

Why so disturbed within me?

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5 NIV

B. Talk to a trusted friend

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV

C. Talk to yourself

“Christians spend to much time listening to themselves, when they should spend more time talking to themselves.” Martin Lloyd-Jones

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NASB

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 2:1-4 NASB

“O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.” Psalm 131:1-3 NASB 95

How To Find Rest

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NASB

“Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 NASB

Physical rest

Emotional rest

Spiritual rest

Relational connection

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10 NIV

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

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NASB

“…If you want to be first,” he said, “you must be last of all, and servant of all.” Mark 9:35 ERV

“And whatever you do, in word or action, do everything in the name of the master, Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the father… Whatever you do, give it your very best, as if you were working for the Master and not for human beings. After all, you know that you’re going to receive the true inheritance from the Master as your reward! It is the Master, the Messiah, that you are serving.” Colossians 3:17, 23-24 NTFE

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness…So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them…Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone…’” Genesis 1:26a, 27 and 2:18 NASB

2. The result of sin is disconnection from God and from one another

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings. Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:7,8 NASB

3. Jesus came to undo the effects of sin and invite us into true life

“For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind.”  Romans 5:17-18 NASB

4. The Kingdom of God advances through Christian community

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.And all the believers were together and had all things in common;and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 NASB

What are the roadblocks to true community?

2. Idealism

3. Individualism

4. Intimidation

How do we find true community?

2. Fully participate in your community

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 NASB

3. Be vulnerable with your community

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV

If I Am Feeling Empty, I Need To

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 NIV

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 NLT

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16 NASB 95

“…be filled with the Spirit. Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be willing to serve each other out of respect for Christ.” Ephesians 5:18:21 ETRV

“The last day of the festival came. It was the most important day. On that day Jesus stood up and said loudly, “Whoever is thirsty may come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.”  Jesus was talking about the Spirit. The Spirit had not yet been given to people, because Jesus had not yet been raised to glory. But later, those who believed in Jesus would receive the Spirit.” John 7:37-39 ETRV

“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 ESV

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

How To Stand Up To The Bully Called Fear (1 Samuel 17)

“On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” 1 Samuel 17:11 NIV

 1. Find out Who God says He is and what He has promised. (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength.The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

“My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:9-11 NLT

2. Figure out who you should really fear. (1 Samuel 17:32)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10 NIV

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NIV

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV

“So, my friends, I have this to say to you: don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. I will show you who to fear: fear the one who starts by killing and then has the right to throw people into Gehenna. Yes, let me tell you, that’s the one to fear!” Luke 12:4-5 NTFE

3. Work out your faith and courage muscles (1 Samuel 17:37)

“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37 NIV

4. Call out your biggest fear first (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

“…When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.” 1 Samuel 17:51 NIV

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:24-34 NASB

Worry: Trying to control the uncontrollable

According to Jesus worry is

Unreasonable (6:25)

Unnatural (6:26, 28-29)

Unhelpful (6:27)

Unnecessary (6:30)

How can I overcome worry?

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20 NIV

“Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me.” John 14:1 LB

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

“Don’t worry about anything. Rather, in every area of life let God know what you want, as you pray and make requests, and give thanks as well. And God’s peace, which is greater than we can ever understand, will keep guard over your hearts and minds in Messiah Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NTFE

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:1-9 NASB

What is the cure for hopelessness? The resurrection of Jesus Christ, our living hope

Living Hope: The confident expectation of God’s faithfulness to His promises

The resurrection provides

“Jesus was handed over to die for our sins, and he was raised from death to make us right with God.” Romans 4:25 ERV

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

“We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.” Romans 5:1-5 ERV

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 NIV

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 NASB

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your love for me. Thank You for demonstrating that love, in the life, death, and resurrection of Your One and Only Son. Jesus, thank you for what You did for me through the cross. Today, I am trusting in You. I put my hope in You for forgiveness from my past and future failures. I put my hope in You for the present. I look to You to lead and guide my life through the power and strength that only You can give. I agree with You that You are my Savior and my Lord. I put my hope in You for the future, that I have a living hope, that will lead me from this life into eternal life with You forever. Holy Spirit, thank You that You dwell in me and that You are the presence of Jesus with me at all times. Holy Spirit You raised Jesus from the dead. And I believe that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me. Help me to live my life in Your power and joy. In Jesus name Amen.