Facing the Giants: Problem People November 17, 2008

Phil 1:15-18 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

1. Problem People: Right ____, Wrong _______!

1. Problem People: Right Role, Wrong Motives!

1. Problem People: Phil 1:15,16 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel

1. Problem People: 2 John 1:9-11 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

1. Problem People: 1 Cor. 1:23 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

1. Problem People: A. The Wrong Heart: ____

1. Problem People: A. The Wrong Heart: Envy

1. Problem People: Matt. 23:5-6 5 "But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 "They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues

1. Problem People: B. The Wrong Goal: ________

1. Problem People: B. The Wrong Goal: Division

1. Problem People: Rom. 16:17-18 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

2. Precious People Right ____, Right _______

2. Precious People Right Role, Right Motives

2. Precious People Phil 1:17   17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

2. Precious People A. The Right Heart: ____

2. Precious People A. The Right Heart: Love

2. Precious People 1 Peter 5:2-4 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

2. Precious People Gal. 2:9-10 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.

2. Precious People B. The Right Goal: ____

2. Precious People B. The Right Goal: Unity

2. Precious People Luke 9:46-50 46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.  47But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

2. Precious People 49 John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."

3. Powerful Perspective

3. Powerful Perspective Phil 1:18 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

3. Powerful Perspective A. The Right Heart: ______

3. Powerful Perspective A. The Right Heart: Christ

3. Powerful Perspective Phil. 1:21 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

3. Powerful Perspective B. The Right Goal: ___

3. Powerful Perspective B. The Right Goal: Joy

3. Powerful Perspective 1 Cor. 15:9-11 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

4. Present Parallels A. Your ______

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your _________

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your Workplace

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your Workplace C. Your __________

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your Workplace C. Your Friendships

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your Workplace C. Your Friendships D. Your ______

4. Present Parallels A. Your Church B. Your Workplace C. Your Friendships D. Your Family