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God’s Recipe For Peace Within The Local Church!

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” (Rom. 14:19)

PEACE: Freedom from conflict or bitter disagreement; harmony.

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2 PETER 1:3

GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO GODLINESS

PURSUING PEACE IS GODLY

THEREFORE GOD HAS GIVEN US THE RECIPE FOR PEACE

GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO GODLINESS

PURSUING PEACE IS GODLY

THEREFORE GOD HAS GIVEN US THE RECIPE FOR PEACE

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue”

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A USEFUL RECIPE

MUST BE WANTED! MUST BE READ! MUST BE FOLLOWED!

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“PEACE”DESCRIBES THE KINGDOM

WHY? GOD GUIDES

(LK. 1:78, 79) GOD GIVES

(2 Thess. 3:16) FRUIT OF SPIRIT

(Gal. 5:22)

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, BUT righteousness and PEACE and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17)

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, BUT righteousness and PEACE and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17)

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1. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS SEEK PEACE

“Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14)Departs from evil to do goodPursues peace and seeks it

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1 PETER 3:9-11

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT

YOU GET

WHAT YOU SAY, SAYS WHAT YOU

LOVE & SEE

WHEN EVIL PRESENTS ITSELF, DO

GOOD!

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1 PETER 3:9-11

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

EMBRACE PEACE WHEN GIVEN

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1 PETER 3:9-11

9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

PURSUE PEACE WHEN

DENIED

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2. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER

EPHESIANS 4:1-31 I. . .beseech you to walk worthy

of the calling with which you were called,

2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

EPHESIANS 4:1-31 I. . .beseech you to walk worthy

of the calling with which you were called,

2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

“TO HOLD UP”

(STRONG’S 430)

“TO HOLD UP”

(STRONG’S 430)

“TO USE SPEED, to make effort, be prompt or

earnest” (STRONG’S

4710)

“TO USE SPEED, to make effort, be prompt or

earnest” (STRONG’S

4710)

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BEARING WITH BEARING WITH BRETHRENBRETHREN

IS NOT TEACHING TO BE TOLERANT OF SINFUL PRACTICES OR ACTIONS!

DO NOT LOSE YOUR BEARINGS: DO NOT BECOME

OFFENDED IF A SUGGESTION IS REJECTED!

DO NOT BEHAVE OFFENSIVELY IN DENYING A SUGGESTION!

“I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil.4:2)

"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another." (Mk. 9:50)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

WE CAN BE WE CAN BE “CHILDLIKE”“CHILDLIKE” BUT NOT BUT NOT “CHILDISH”“CHILDISH” IT SHOULD BEIT SHOULD BE – “When I became a – “When I became a Christian, I put away childish things”Christian, I put away childish things”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

WHEN YOU PATTERN YOURSELF AFTER THE WHEN YOU PATTERN YOURSELF AFTER THE BEST EXAMPLE OF A MAN—CHRIST, YOU BEST EXAMPLE OF A MAN—CHRIST, YOU “PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS”“PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

WHEN YOU PATTERN YOURSELF AFTER WHEN YOU PATTERN YOURSELF AFTER MEN—YOU ARE CHILDISH & FLESHLY MEN—YOU ARE CHILDISH & FLESHLY MINDED (CARNAL)! (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Rom. 8:7; MINDED (CARNAL)! (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Rom. 8:7; 1 Cor. 14:20)1 Cor. 14:20)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “Why didn’t they invite me Pouting – “Why didn’t they invite me over?”over?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “Why did you forget me in Pouting – “Why did you forget me in the prayer?”the prayer?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “Why didn’t you visit me Pouting – “Why didn’t you visit me when I was sick?”when I was sick?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “Why didn’t you follow my Pouting – “Why didn’t you follow my suggestion?”suggestion?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “Why didn’t you speak to Pouting – “Why didn’t you speak to me?”me?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Pouting – “You didn’t do it the way I Pouting – “You didn’t do it the way I think it should have be done?”think it should have be done?”

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Impulsive – Impulsive – “Also it is not good for a soul to “Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet”with his feet” (Prov. 19:2) (Prov. 19:2)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Selfishness –Selfishness – “Look not every man on his own “Look not every man on his own

things, but every man also on the things of others”things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4; Rom. 12:3)(Phil. 2:4; Rom. 12:3)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Self-Centered – Self-Centered – ““Doth not behave itself Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil”provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Cor. 13:5)(1 Cor. 13:5)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Insensitive To Danger – Insensitive To Danger – “A prudent man “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished”and are punished” (Prov. 27:12) (Prov. 27:12)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Too Trusting – Too Trusting – “The simple believes every “The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps”word, But the prudent considers well his steps” (Prov. 14:15)(Prov. 14:15)

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3. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS “When I was a child, I spoke as a

child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11)

CHILDISH TRAITS:CHILDISH TRAITS:

• Undisciplined/Lacks Self Control - Undisciplined/Lacks Self Control - “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls”city broken down, without walls” (Pro. 25:28) (Pro. 25:28)

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Proverbs 25:16, 17

16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

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4. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS DO NOT MEDDLE IN ANOTHER’S BUSINESS

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Pet. 4:15) OFFERING UP UNSOLICITED ADVICE

DESTROYS PEACE! FEEDING CURIOSITIES IN ANOTHER’S

FINANCES/EXPENSES/INCOME/SPEND-ING CAN DESTROY THE PEACE!

OVER-INVOLVEMENT IN ANOTHER’S PERSON’S WORK, WEEK, LIFE CAN DESTROY THE PEACE!

Prov. 25:17, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.”

Prov. 25:17, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.”

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4. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS DO NOT MEDDLE IN ANOTHER’S BUSINESS

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thess. 4:11)THE SOLUTION FOR LEADING A

QUIET LIFE IS TO FIND A JOB AND GO TO WORK & Keep busy doing good things!

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5. A CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS ARE HUMBLE

WHERE THERE IS A CHURCH WITH DIVISION THERE IS AN INFLATION OF PRIDE IN ONE OR MORE OF THE MEMBERS“By pride comes nothing but strife,

But with the well-advised is wisdom” (Prov. 13:10).

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1 PETER 5:5, 6

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

GK. (huperephanos)

1) showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent

2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

(Strong’s 5244)

GK. (huperephanos)

1) showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent

2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

(Strong’s 5244)

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1 PETER 5:5, 6

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

GK. (tapeinos)

1) not rising far from the ground (Strong’s 5011)

•envision a tapestry

•the difference between the two is as much as the ceiling is from the carpet!

GK. (tapeinos)

1) not rising far from the ground (Strong’s 5011)

•envision a tapestry

•the difference between the two is as much as the ceiling is from the carpet!

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WHAT CAN I DO TO PROMOTE LOVE, PEACE, JOY AND UNITY AMONG BRETHREN? I WILL:

PRAY MORE FERVENTLY! SPEAK MORE WORDS OF

ENCOURAGEMENT! BE LESS CRITICAL IN MATTERS OF

JUDGMENT/SELF-ABASED! REFUSE GOSSIP! STAND FOR THE TRUTH! OBEY GOD’S COMMANDS!

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Review:

To have peace each member must:Seek it!Bear With One Another!Put Away Childish Things!Not Meddle In Other’s Affairs!Have a Humble Attitude!

Follow GOD’S Recipe For Peace!