WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONFRONTATION - Sadell Bradley 11/29/17 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"I think confrontation is healthy because it clears the air very quickly. Nowadays, if you're afraid of confrontation, you're not going to do very well." - Bill Parcells - NFL Coach   "Those who avoid confrontation at all cost are preserving the very problems they wish would go away." - Unknown I embrace confronting problems. I do it on global issues like racism, sexism and class disparities. I don't shy away from it in personal, work or church situations. I do it in this blog. Some say it's a prophetic mantle, but every Believer is called to speak the truth in love and grow up. (Eph. 4:15) Every Christian is required to confront an offender when a wrong has occurred. (Matt. 18:15-17) When speaking of problems or difficulties, CONFRONT means to present, face up to, and deal with the situation. It means to face a challenge with the determination to overcome it versus avoid it. By the way, confrontations are best done in person. You cannot change what you refuse to confront; inside or out. John Maxwell said, "In order to develop leaders, you've got to care enough to confront." Most people don't associate confrontation with caring. They don't consider the relational or societal risk it takes to decide not to placate a dysfunctional behavior, philosophy or situation and allow it to continue, but to address and arrest it. The Bible is full of confrontations. They aren't pleasant or easy. It takes strength to confront a wrong or stand up for what you believe in.   God confronted Adam and Eve in the Garden after they had sinned. (Gen. 3) The Prophet Samuel confronted king Saul after he disobeyed by partially fulfilling God's command to slaughter Israel's enemies (1 Samuel 15) The Prophet Nathan confronted David after he'd killed Uriah the Hittite and slept with his wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12) The Hebrew boys confronted king Nebuchadnezzar saying they would not bow to his idols. (Daniel 3) Paul confronted Peter over his stance on including the Gentiles (Gal. 2:11-13) Jesus constantly confronted the Pharisees (Gospels) Christ confronted Peter (and Satan) when he contradicted the Father's will saying Jesus should not go to the cross. (Matt. 16:23) The Gospel itself confronts the sinful state of our prior lifestyles. It's a battle over our future, life and legacy. If the Word and the Holy Spirit did not challenge, check, convict and convince us that where we were positioned was wrong, we would not be saved and would still be in our sin. We all have blind spots: places of denial we've lived with for years. People around us know about them. They might even talk about us. We know that someone really cares for us when they're willing to take the risk to confront the things that might be injuring or killing us. There is beauty in confrontation from someone who loves us. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Prov. 27:6) Chuck Swindoll said, "If we confront someone, we should have one goal in mind: restoration - not embarrassment."  We confront because we love and we desire transformation.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131