This Friday our Korean Speaking Congregation will be going on a retreat on a cruise. We have been planning for that about 8 months and it is finally here. We are very excited to have this special time away from home. We will have 3 pastors with us (including me). Pastor Choi will lead the evening sessions and I will lead the morning sessions. Pastor Moon is a retired pastor and we are glad that he is joining us as well. He will not be speaking.
I will be delivering one Sunday message on Matthew 5:9 being a peacemaker and I will teach them “Biblical Conflict Resolution”. This topic is very close to my heart because most people lack the skills to practice Biblical Conflict Resolution. Even Christians lack the skills, too. I have preached on this many times, but I am glad that I get to share this in a 90 minute lession. We also taught this to church leaders in South Asia and they thoroughly enjoyed it and were able to utilize it in their everyday lives.
One thing we need to know is that conflict is not a matter of it but a matter of when. It happens all the time. God has reconciled us to Himself through the gospel (death and resurrection of Jesus Christ) and has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Humans were in rebellion (conflict) with God and God has provided a way to reconcile with humans thus brought glory to God through this reconciliation. Also, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that whatever we do we must do it for God’s glory. The context of that verse is a conflict. Conflict between people who ate the food that has been given to idols and people who did not eat it.
In our attempt to make peace or resolve conflicts, different people do differently. Some fight or flight. Some avoid or judge. Sometimes we even see people (Christians) taking people to courts to find peace and justice. There are many non-biblical ways to resolve conflicts, but there are many biblical ways to resolve conflicts. We can overlook, talk, or get help. We must be open to these biblical ways to bring God glory. Non-biblical ways do not bring God glory so we must avoid those ways.
I am hoping and praying that we will have a great time of learning and applying these important biblical lessons. As we have many relationships, these important tools are vitals in maintaining these relationships well.
I am little sad that not everyone can participate in our retreat, but for those we are coming, we will have a great time of fellowship and learning together to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
For His Glory
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