GOODWILL TO MEN Sunday Service 20 Dec 2009 Cecil Ang

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Lk 2:11-14 (NKJV)

THE FEEL GOOD FACTORS 1.To be encouraged 2.To be accepted 3.To be forgiven 4.To be listened 5.To be understood

To be ENCOURAGED “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today …” Heb 3:13 (NIV)

To be ACCEPTED “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Rom 15:7 (NIV)

To be FORGIVEN “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph 4:32 (NIV)

To be LISTENED to “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Jas 1:19 (NIV)

To be UNDERSTOOD “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick- tempered man displays folly.” Pr 14:29 (NIV) “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” Pr 18:2 (NIV)

GOD’S GOODWILL TO MEN 1.God encourages us 2.God accepts us 3.God forgives us 4.God listens to us 5.God understands us

God encourages us "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt 11:28 (NIV)

God accepts us "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jer 31:3 (NIV)

God forgives us Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Lk 23:34 (NIV)

God listens to us “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Is 65:24 (NIV)

God understands us “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Heb 4:15 (NIV)

The Golden Rule “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Mt 7:12 (NIV)

THE FEEL BAD FACTORS 1.To be discouraged 2.To be unaccepted 3.To be unforgiven 4.To be ignored 5.To be misunderstood

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” Rom 12:17 (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom 12:21 (NIV) “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Eph 4:31 (NIV) THE FEEL BAD FACTORS

THE RESTORATIVE PROCESS Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. … To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.” Acts 3:19-21,26 (NKJV)

(A) If we are the offender Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Mt 5:23-24 (NIV)

(A) If we are the offender 1.Take initiative to seek amends & forgiveness 2.Stop repeating sin Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." Jn 5:14 (NIV)

(B) If we are the offended If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Mt 18:15-17 (NIV)

(B) If we are the offended 1. C onfront privately in love. Choose to forgive. 2. Seek godly people to mediate in the unresolved situation. 3. Let the church know about it.

(C) If we are neither The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. Pr 18:17 (NIV) He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Pr 17:9 (NIV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matt 5:9 (NIV)

“… for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.” Eph 5:8 (NASB)