Sermon Notes

THE STRESSLESS LIFE

Week 5: Dealing with People

Definition of “Stress”: Fearful concern experienced when life’s demands seen greater than my ability to meet them

What stresses you out?

WHY THIS MATTERS:

· We all have relationships that aren’t perfect!

· Many of us have relationships that are more painful than peaceful.

EPHESIANS 4:17

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.“

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” Ephesians 1:3-5

EPHESIANS 4:25-32 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Five Questions We Must Answer About Our Relationships

1. Am I being honest? (v.25)

V25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

2. Am I acting out of anger? (v.26-27)

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” 4:26-27

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 4:32

3. Am I focused on what I can give or what I can get? (v.28)

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” 4:28

4.  Am I intentional with the words I speak? (v.29)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” 4:29

What we say is very important

“What you say flows from what is in your heart” Luke 6:45

When we say what we say is very important

“A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word.” Proverbs 15:23

How we say what we say when we say it is very important

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6

5.  Am I trying out of my own strength or am I trusting Christ to do what only He can do? (v.31-32)

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 4:31-32

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” Romans 12:18