1

The The FamilFamily of y of GodGod1 Tim. 3:14-1 Tim. 3:14-

1515

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When Challenges When Challenges AriseArise

• Ignore them (Ignore them (OstrichOstrich))• Run away from them (Run away from them (JonahJonah))• Increase the trouble by Increase the trouble by

inflammatory words & actions inflammatory words & actions ((DiotrephesDiotrephes))

• Meet them with open minds, Meet them with open minds, open Bibles & a prayerful, open Bibles & a prayerful, reverent attitude (reverent attitude (AbrahamAbraham,, Gen. 13:8Gen. 13:8))

3

God God expects us expects us to meet our to meet our challenges challenges by serving by serving each other each other in love & in love & unity unity Acts Acts

6:1-76:1-7

Eph. 4:1-3 Eph. 4:1-3 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25 1 Jno. 12:25 1 Jno.

4:20-214:20-21

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Challenge of Challenge of CompatibilityCompatibility

•Different people… One in Different people… One in Christ –Christ – 1 Cor. 12:25-26; 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Jno. 17:20-23; 1 Jno. 4:10-Jno. 17:20-23; 1 Jno. 4:10-1111

•How?How?

•Others before self,Others before self, Phil. 2:3-4; Acts 6:1, 5Phil. 2:3-4; Acts 6:1, 5

•Forgiveness,Forgiveness, Matt. Matt. 6:14-156:14-15

•Common faith,Common faith, Gal. Gal. 3:26-28 (Titus 1:4)3:26-28 (Titus 1:4)

Acts 6:1 Acts 6:1 Eph. 2:13-Eph. 2:13-

2222

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Challenge of Challenge of CommunicationCommunication

•Fail to communicate -Fail to communicate - Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24; Jas. Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24; Jas. 1:19-201:19-20

•Communicate wrong Communicate wrong infoinfo

•Not hearsay, gossip, Not hearsay, gossip, backbiting,backbiting, 1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Tim. 5:13; Prov. 16:28; 2 Ths. 3:11Prov. 16:28; 2 Ths. 3:11

•Speak truth,Speak truth, Eph. 4:25Eph. 4:25

Acts 6:1-5Acts 6:1-5

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Challenge of Challenge of ConvertednessConvertedness

•Satan is still in control Satan is still in control whenever there is lack of whenever there is lack of conversion – conversion – Acts 5:1-5, 7-9Acts 5:1-5, 7-9

•Change heart, life & relations, Change heart, life & relations, Acts 3:19; 26:20Acts 3:19; 26:20

•Conversion shows in…Conversion shows in…•What we serve, What we serve, Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Ths. Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Ths. 1:91:9•Who we serve, Who we serve, 1 Jno. 3:16-181 Jno. 3:16-18•What is our 1What is our 1stst concern, concern, Matt. 6:33Matt. 6:33

Acts 6:3Acts 6:3

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Challenge of Challenge of ConvertednessConvertedness

•Test our convertedness Test our convertedness – – (2 Cor. 13:5)(2 Cor. 13:5)

•Do carnal things hinder Do carnal things hinder my obedience?my obedience? (1 Jno. (1 Jno. 2:15-17)2:15-17)•Do I seldom pray?Do I seldom pray?•Do I have trouble Do I have trouble forgiving?forgiving?•Do I hold grudges?Do I hold grudges?•Do I keep my brethren at Do I keep my brethren at arm’s length?arm’s length?•Do I refuse to repent?Do I refuse to repent?

Acts 6:3 Acts 6:3 Rom. Rom.

12:1-212:1-2

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Challenges Challenges are our are our

opportunities opportunities to succeed to succeed (Phil. 4:13)(Phil. 4:13)

•Be an asset to this church & Be an asset to this church & help us meet our challenges with help us meet our challenges with faith, love, mercy & truth!faith, love, mercy & truth!