The Christmas season is upon us and for many it is a time to be with loved ones, indulge in holiday treats and warm up to a fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa or coffee. Truly, a joy-filled time. Yet, a great many across our land are dreading this season because of unresolved familial conflicts that exist in their lives. Can you relate?
During Christmas, we might find ourselves in the same room with those with whom we may be harboring conflict towards. May it be with family or friends, having conflict during the holidays can lead to uncomfortable situations. And this may cause stress. ACK!
Or perhaps we might try to give advice to a family member only to have them get upset with us. We might try to fix an issue only to have the problem get worse and blow up in our face. Our intentions may be good but we still find ourselves in the middle of conflict. What should we do in these situations?
In a most unusual Christmas-time message, Senior Pastor Jamie Rasmussen, of Scottsdale Bible Church, delivers a hard hitting, and instructive message on how to behave when we find conflict in our close relationships, and encourages us to observe the obedience of faith. This message was a hopeful reminder that relationships can be redeemed and restored. May you be encouraged to pursue the unresolved!
Pastor Jamie Rasmussen continues to lead the church through the interesting holiday season with inspiring messages from the pulpit. His communication style marries deep theological knowledge and light hearted examples into one. Each sermon rings with Biblical truths and examples from Scripture.
Please take 45 minutes to watch Pastor Jamie Rasmussen’s video message, titled Conflict: Amidst the Best Intentions.
The following fillable sermon notes were provided (answers provided at the bottom of this post):
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The ____ ________ - combined with the most _______ _______ - can still ____ ______.
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God is in the _____ and He will _________ His _______ in and through it all.
The message is anchored on Mark 2:1-12 NIV (New International Version) where Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man. In this passage, Jesus has the best of intentions, but is still caught in the middle of conflict. He had people disagree with his actions even though his motives were pure. Isn’t it hopeful to see this play out? Jesus, “the epitome of what it means to get it right” had conflict in his life. If this can happen to Jesus, it can happen to you and me. In fact, it will happen to us since we are followers of Jesus.
Pastor Jamie Rasmussen also notes that “conflict is an unavoidable reality in this fallen world of ours.” Meaning, we can be the best person we can be, but still see conflict pop up out of nowhere. It even sprang up on Jesus all the time, even in the middle of forgiving and healing a paralyzed man.
During this Christmas season, see if you can't take the steam out of your conflict, and move towards healing, forgiveness, and love. After all, these words of Christ are not merely nice suggestions, but commandments to live by. Seek to forgive those who throw unexpected conflict on you. For, “You can’t get better intentions with more altruistic results than what Jesus has done [by forgiving sins].” Also understand that conflict will occur whether you plan for it or not. You aren’t a bad person if conflict arises. Don’t get discouraged. Instead, try and work through the problem the way Jesus would; with forgiveness and compassion.
Wishing you, and yours, a very Merry Christmas and Joyful New Year!
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This sermon is the first in a series of six, all centered around Mark Chapter 2.
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Conflict: Amidst the Best Intentions
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Conflict: When Going Against the Grain
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Conflict: When Conflict is About Jesus
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Conflict Over the Gray
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The High Costs of Unavoidable Conflict (Part 1)
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The High Costs of Unavoidable Conflict (Part 2)
If you found Pastor Jamie Rasmussen’s teaching insightful, be encouraged to listen to more of his sermons at www.scottsdalebible.com/
Fillable sermon notes (ANSWERS):
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The best intentions - combined with the most altruistic results - can still breed conflict.
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God is in the storm and He will accomplish His purposes in and through it all.
2018 Update: Pastor Jamie Rasmussen has published his first book, How Joyful People Think. To stay current with Pastor Jamie Rasmussen, visit his personal site at https://pastorjamierasmussen.