THE WAY 8 – CHOOSE NON-RETALIATION & RECONCILIATION, 5-31-26, Lead Pastor Jeff Aenk, New Hope Christian Church
Key Verse - John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - Jesus
CHOOSE JESUS WAY OF NON-RETALIATION & RECONCILIATION IF POSSIBLE, INSTEAD OF HARM OR WALKING.
Romans 12:14-21 - 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:15-16, 25-27, & 29-32 – 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work…….
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold…….
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 18:15-17 - 15 “If your brother or sister sins (against you), go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church (leaders); and if they refuse to listen even to the church (leaders), treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
1. What Relationship is Currently Painful, or What Person has Hurt you?
2. Instead of Paying them Back for what they did, Forgive them as God Forgave you, & Put them in God’s hands to make things right. Overcome evil by responding with active, surprising Kindness.
3. Commit to a "24-Hour Conflict Window". If you have a Grievance with a Friend, Family member, or Church brother or sister in Christ, commit to addressing it within 24 hours. No "ghosting" or passive-aggressive behavior. Resolve Conflict Privately & Gently before it escalates. Grant Forgiveness as God has Forgiven you. Admit when You’ve Been Wrong too & Ask Forgiveness.
CHOOSE JESUS WAY OF NON-RETALIATION & RECONCILIATION IF POSSIBLE, INSTEAD OF HARM OR WALKING.
Romans 12:14-21 - 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:15-16, 25-27, & 29-32 – 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work…….
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold…….
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 18:15-17 - 15 “If your brother or sister sins (against you), go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church (leaders); and if they refuse to listen even to the church (leaders), treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
1. What Relationship is Currently Painful, or What Person has Hurt you?
2. Instead of Paying them Back for what they did, Forgive them as God Forgave you, & Put them in God’s hands to make things right. Overcome evil by responding with active, surprising Kindness.
3. Commit to a "24-Hour Conflict Window". If you have a Grievance with a Friend, Family member, or Church brother or sister in Christ, commit to addressing it within 24 hours. No "ghosting" or passive-aggressive behavior. Resolve Conflict Privately & Gently before it escalates. Grant Forgiveness as God has Forgiven you. Admit when You’ve Been Wrong too & Ask Forgiveness.