Reading: Pursuing Perspective, Part 2 - Slides

Restoring Relationships
Transforming Justice

Lecture 21

Pursuing a Healthy Perspective on Conflict

Part 2

Seeking God’s Presence - Worship

Four attributes of a person God can use as His ambassador in a conflict wildfire.

Seeking God’s Presence - Worship

Four attributes of a person God can use as His ambassador in a conflict wildfire.

The first attribute is humility.

Seeking God’s Presence - Worship

Four attributes of a person God can use as His ambassador in a conflict wildfire.

The first attribute is humility.

The second attribute of a person God can use in conflict is a desire to please God.

A Desire to Please God

The choices we make in response to conflict reveal who we desire to please - self, others, or God. 

A Desire to Please God

Jesus Christ lived his life to please his Heavenly Father, not himself or others. 

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:29

For even Christ did not please himself . . . Romans 15:3a

Jesus’ Desire to Please the Father

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

A Desire to Please God

Like Jesus, the Father desires that we reflect this same attitude of desiring to please Him first.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

A Desire to Please God

We cannot please God in a conflict wildfire and pursue selfish goals/desires at the same time. 

Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8

A Desire to Please God

As we spend time in God’s presence, Jesus Christ can transform our desires from the inside out and give us his humble heart/mind/attitude that seeks to please and obey God in the midst of conflict. 

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

A Desire to Please God

The Lord promises to bless those that seek to please him first. 

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

Lecture 21

When we seek God’s presence, He changes our perspective on conflict. 

A desire to please God is the second attribute of a person God can use as His ambassador in the midst of conflict.

When we seek God’s presence, He gives us a desire to please Him.

Jesus Christ lived His life to please the Father, not himself.

Lecture 21

We cannot please God and pursue selfish goals/desires at the same time.

God promises to bless those who seek to please Him.