Reading: The Second Fire of Conflict

Restoring Relationships
Transforming Justice

Lecture 6

The Second Fire of Conflict - The Peacefire

The Second Fire of Conflict

The Peacefire is a fire that ignites in the midst of conflict when someone makes a faith choice to pursue and rely on Jesus Christ in response to a conflict rather than pursue a desired outcome.

The Second Fire of Conflict

The Peacefire is a fire that ignites in the midst of conflict when someone makes a faith choice to pursue and rely on Jesus Christ in response to a conflict rather than pursue a desired outcome.

At the Peacefire, Jesus Christ provides a transforming peace to those who relentlessly rely on him.

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is our peace that passes understanding.

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is our peace that passes understanding.

For he himself is our peace, . . .  Ephesians 2:14a

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is our peace that passes understanding.

For he himself is our peace, . . .  Ephesians 2:14a

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is our peace that passes understanding.

For he himself is our peace, . . .  Ephesians 2:14a

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is the fire that transforms.

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is the fire that transforms.

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

Two Aspects of the Peacefire

Jesus Christ is the fire that transforms.

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

… I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. Isaiah 1:25

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

The Pursuit at the Peacefire

When we focus on the Wildfire, we pursue our desired outcome.

The Pursuit at the Peacefire

When we focus on the Wildfire, we pursue our desired outcome.

When we focus on the Peacefire, we pursue Jesus Christ and his purposes in the conflict.

The Pursuit at the Peacefire

When we focus on the Wildfire, we pursue our desired outcome.

When we focus on the Peacefire, we pursue Jesus Christ and his purposes in the conflict.

We will not experience the Lord’s peace if we pursue Jesus Christ in an attempt to obtain our desired outcome.

The Pursuit at the Peacefire

When we focus on the Wildfire, we pursue our desired outcome.

When we focus on the Peacefire, we pursue Jesus Christ and his purposes in the conflict.

We will not experience the Lord’s peace if we pursue Jesus Christ in an attempt to obtain our desired outcome.

We pursue Jesus Christ to obtain his desired outcome – restored relationships and transformed justice.

Pursuing God at the Peacefire

If God has a desired outcome for our conflicts, how do we identify it and lay hold of it?

Pursuing God at the Peacefire

If God has a desired outcome for our conflicts, how do we identify it and lay hold of it?

There are three principles that assist us in seeking God’s plan at the Peacefire.

Pursuing God at the Peacefire

If God has a desired outcome for our conflicts, how do we identify it and lay hold of it?

There are three principles that assist us in seeking God’s plan at the Peacefire.

Applying these principles will position us to experience God’s transforming peace in the midst of our conflict wildfires and will position us to be used by Jesus Christ to bless others – to restore relationships and transform justice.

The Peacefire Triangle

To help us remember the three principles that help us identify God’s desired outcome in a conflict wildfire, I created a diagram called the Peacefire Triangle.

Purpose

The first leg of the Peacefire triangle is labeled “Purpose.”

Purpose

The first leg of the Peacefire triangle is labeled “Purpose.”

When we write our conflict stories at the wildfire, we pursue our own purpose, our own desired outcome.

Purpose

The first leg of the Peacefire triangle is labeled “Purpose.”

When we write our conflict stories at the wildfire, we pursue our own purpose, our own desired outcome.

But at the Peacefire, we pursue God’s purposes rather than our own.

Principle #1

When we pursue God’s purpose in conflict, it will change our priorities.

Principle #1

When we pursue God’s purpose in conflict, it will change our priorities.

Our purpose determines our priorities.

Principle #1

When we pursue God’s purpose in conflict, it will change our priorities.

Our purpose determines our priorities.

When our priority is to pursue God’s purposes in our conflicts, we will not be focused on pleasing self or pleasing others who might lead us astray.

Benefits of Pursuing God’s
Purposes in Conflict

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

Benefits of Pursuing God’s
Purposes in Conflict

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Matthew 6:33

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Discerning God’s Purpose

How do we discern what God’s purpose is in our conflicts?

Discerning God’s Purpose

How do we discern what God’s purpose is in our conflicts?

The Bible – Prayer – Godly Counselors

Discerning God’s Purpose

How do we discern what God’s purpose is in our conflicts?

The Bible – Prayer – Godly Counselors

Don’t presume to know God’s purpose – ask Him!

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.  Psalm 19:13

Discerning God’s Purpose

How do we discern what God’s purpose is in our conflicts?

The Bible – Prayer – Godly Counselors

Don’t presume to know God’s purpose – ask Him!

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.  Psalm 19:13

God’s purpose never contradicts His Word.

Power

The second leg of the Peacefire Triangle is labeled “Power.”

It takes power to extinguish the flames of a conflict wildfire.

When we pursue God’s purposes in a conflict, His power is available to us.

Principle #2

When we respond to conflict using God’s power, it changes our possibilities.

Principle #2

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose in our own strength, but with his power all things are possible.

Principle #2

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose in our own strength, but with his power all things are possible.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Principle #2

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose in our own strength, but with his power all things are possible.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, … Eph. 3:20

Principle #2

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose in our own strength, but with his power all things are possible.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, … Eph. 3:20

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

God’s Power

It is the power that the Lord provides that enables us to break free from the shallow stories of the wildfire.

God’s Power

It is the power that the Lord provides that enables us to break free from the shallow stories of the wildfire.

It is the Lord’s power that enables us to restore relationships that are currently damaged and broken.

God’s Power

It is the power that the Lord provides that enables us to break free from the shallow stories of the wildfire.

It is the Lord’s power that enables us to restore relationships that are currently damaged and broken.

It is the Lord’s power that enables us to transform justice from retribution to restoration.

Presence

The third leg of the Peacefire Triangle is labeled “Presence.”

Principle #3

When we seek God’s presence during a conflict, it will change our perspective on the conflict.

Principle #3

When we seek God’s presence during a conflict, it will change our perspective on the conflict.

Joshua and his encounter with Jesus Christ.

Principle #3

When we seek God’s presence during a conflict, it will change our perspective on the conflict.

Joshua and his encounter with Jesus Christ.

Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”  Joshua 5:14

Principle #3

“Jesus Christ doesn’t come to take sides, he comes to take over.” – Ian Thomas

Lecture 6

A Peacefire ignites when we make a faith choice to pursue Jesus Christ in response to a conflict rather than pursue a desired outcome. 

Jesus Christ is the Peacefire – He provides a peace that passes understanding and a fire that transforms. 

We discover God’s plan in conflict by applying the three principles of the Peacefire Triangle. 

Lecture 6

Pursuing God’s purpose in conflict will change our priorities. 

Applying God’s power will change our possibilities in responding to conflict. 

Seeking God’s presence during a conflict will change our perspective.