Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Finishing with Forgiveness

Colossians 3:13

It may be one of the most difficult things that we ever have to do.  Yes, forgiveness is really tough, but it's also not optional.  Forgiveness is essential to resolve many conflicts, but such a step raises some interesting questions: Why do we have to forgive? Exactly what does forgiveness involve?  How do we do it?  Whose responsibility is it?  What does the Bible have to say about it?  Today our series Let's Get Ready to Rumble continues as we focus on the vital step of "Finishing with Forgiveness."   

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Should I Post This on Facebook?

Matthew 18:15; Ephesians 4:29

We live in a day when technology and social media are radically altering the ways we live together.  They can be wonderful tools in enhancing life in community, but they also present very intriguing challenges.  At times they blur the lines between "public" and "private" and serve as modes of communication that lack the non-verbal cues we're accustomed to observing.  That has significant implications for how we deal with conflict.  Today our series Let's Get Ready to Rumble continues as we consider the ever-important question: "Should I Post This on Facebook?"

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

The Right Way to Rumble

Matthew 18:15-17

None of us are strangers to conflict, and most of us have seen conflict situations turn a bit (or perhaps, a whole lot) messy.  God provides a very practical process for constructively resolving that conflict, and many of the ugly times happen because we fail to follow those principles.  Today our series Let's Get Ready to Rumble continues as we unpack the steps in that process as Jesus laid them out for His disciples.  Conflict can actually become a very constructive thing if we are willing to learn "The Right Way to Rumble."

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

I Want It MY Way!

Philippians 2:1-11

So many of our conflict situations arise from our desire to get what we want.  It may be things or it may be a decision on an issue.  In many of those situations, we miss the opportunity to grow and resolve conflict in a healthy way because we're unwilling to consider any way but our own.  But the Word tells us that we ought not to be pursuing solely our own interests, but that we should look to the interests of others as well.  Today on this Family Worship Sunday our series on conflict continues as we look at what happens when I insist that "I Want It MY Way!"

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Getting Ready to Rumble!

Matthew 7:1-5

When we find ourselves in the middle of a conflict our natural tendency is to see just how wrong or difficult "that other person" is.  There's a critical first step, however, with which we ought to start.  We first need look in the mirror.  There are very few occasions when we can honestly say that our motives and our responses are truly pure.  Jesus taught His disciples that before addressing issues with someone else, they first needed to address the issues within.  Today our series on conflict continues as we look at what we need to do when we're "Getting Ready to Rumble!"

Let's Get Ready To Rumble
Knowing When Not to Fight
Colossians 3:12-14

It's truly amazing the things that we choose to fight about.  Many times conflict erupts over matters that are relatively inconsequential.  And while it's not usually the first thing that comes to mind, a foundational biblical principle for conflict resolution centers on the issue of wisely choosing our battles.  Some issues simply aren't worth hassling over.  And yet some are.  How do we decide?  This morning we begin a new series on conflict called Let's Get Ready to Rumble with a few thoughts on "Knowing When Not to Fight."

Living on Empty

When Empty Is a Truly Great Thing

Luke 24:1-12

Often the word "emptiness" has negative connotations.  When our gas tank is empty.  When the Miracle Whip jar is empty.  When the bank account is empty. But oddly enough, Easter is - in a way - a celebration of emptiness.  Today we commemorate the fact that the cross is empty and that the tomb is empty! We want to look at why that's such good news as we unpack the story of that first resurrection morning and reflect on its implications for our lives.  We bring our series Living on Empty to a close today as we look at "When Empty Is a Truly Great Thing."

Living on Empty

The Danger of Empty Praise

Matthew 21:1-11

Living on Empty

Avoiding an Empty Future

Philippians 3:17-21

Is there really hope for the future?  And if so, what does that look like?  The Bible is clear about the fact that we live not only in the present, but also with an eye toward the future. not only the next few years, but eternity.  For some folks, however that future would seem to be pretty bleak.  What makes the difference?  What can give us genuine hope for a truly blessed eternity?  That's what we want to tackle today.  Our series Living on Empty continues this morning as we see what will help in "Avoiding an Empty Future."

Living on Empty

The Empty Words of This World

Ephesians 5:1-14

Remember watching some of those television commercials as a kid?  They promised so much, and yet when you bought that toy or cereal or Kool-Aid, it just didn't seem to deliver the kind of experience it had seemed to guarantee.  The world is often like that, and Paul describes its words as "empty."  Unfortunately, it's so easy for us to fall for those "empty words."  Today our series Living on Empty continues as we look more closely at "The Empty Words of This World."

Living on Empty

When Life Is Empty of Purpose

Jeremiah 29:1-14

Sometimes the events of our lives leave us wondering what's going on.  Circumstances can lead us to ask hard questions or wrestle with challenging doubts.  Why am I here?  What's the point of all this "stuff"?  What can give my life meaning?  Those questions can haunt us and leave us feeling discouraged and defeated.  God's people have been there before and their story can become a tremendous source of encouragement for us.  Today our series Living on Empty continues as we see what the Word says about how we might respond when "When Life Is Empty of Purpose." 

Living on Empty

The Empty Heart

Matthew 23:23-28

What's inside is what's most important.  It's possible for things on the outside to look pretty good, but the inside to be empty of what really counts.  That's a critical lesson regarding our faith that Jesus was sharing as He confronted some of the Pharisees of His day.  Their legalistic observance of the law veiled a heart that was empty of what mattered most - a passionate love of God.  Are we any different?  That's a hard, but significant question.  Today we begin a new series - Living on Empty"- by looking more intently at what can be done about "The Empty Heart."