Peace With Problem People 1

“Peace With Problem People”: 

“Peace With Problem People” “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18

2 Questions: 

2 Questions 1. Why a Series on Problem People? 2. Why Start on Easter Sunday?

Why Series on Problem People?: 

Why Series on Problem People? “Pursuit of Happiness” by David Myers studied what is the measure of success – the # 1 answer: meaningful relationships. # 1 Problem people have? Developing meaningful relationships. Especially difficult with “problem people”

“High Maintenance Relationships”: 

“High Maintenance Relationships” Dr. Les Parrot has identified 15 HMRs Top Five: The Critic The Martyr The Wet Blanket The Steamroller The Gossip

“Why Easter Sunday?”: 

“Why Easter Sunday?” MMT – Monday Morning Test Is the resurrection more than a historical anomaly? More than a future hope? Relevant Today and Tomorrow? Does it help us with our #1 goal and our #1 problem? Meaningful relationships

5 Relationship Realities: 

5 Relationship Realities

1. We were created for relationship: 

1. We were created for relationship The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18

2. Our relationships are a mess: 

2. Our relationships are a mess The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. - Genesis 2:25 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. - Gen 3:7 Sin-Factor

3. We are powerless to change our relationships: 

3. We are powerless to change our relationships Cannot change others Cannot change ourselves Need something outside ourselves…

4. One relationship can change everything: 

4. One relationship can change everything Philippians 3:10 Ephesians 1:19, 20 Colossians 3:1-17

Philippians 3:7-11: 

Philippians 3:7-11 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection…”

Ephesians 1:18-21: 

Ephesians 1:18-21 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead...

Colossians 3:1-17: 

Colossians 3:1-17 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God…Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

5. Get this relationship right and all the rest fall into place: 

5. Get this relationship right and all the rest fall into place “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...” - 2 Corinthians 5:16-19