A PASTOR’S FIRST-AID KIT
by Don Chapman
ll/86
INTRODUCTION
The following list of categorical notes are some of the things which the Lord gave to me when I was under attack in the ministry. I trust this doctrine will help all those communicators who are under the same pressure that I was.
THE PROPER WAY TO FACE A CRISIS
(Illustrated by the way Christ faced the cross: I Peter 2:21b)
1) Remember that God is with you. John 16:32
2) Talk about the crisis – don’t clam up and develop ulcers. John 16:32
3) Remember that problems are part of life. John 16:33
4) Pray with other believers about the crisis. John 17:1-8
5) Pray for other believers who are still supporting you. John 17:9-26
6) Find the will of God and stick to it no matter what happens. John 18:10-12 Reminder: Something out of the ordinary does not mean that God has had a change of plan.
7) Realize that very few people, if any, will stay with you once the crisis comes. Matthew 26:56b
8) Continue to submit to those in authority. Someone has to treat you unfairly for you to reach spiritual maturity. Endure it. John 18:19-24
9) Commit your life to God. Nothing ever happens by chance. If your life is taken away, trust God to know what He is doing. I Peter 2:23 God can take your mistakes and turn them into blessings. Let Him!
10) Remember that your suffering might result in the salvation of someone else. Luke 23:39-43
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THE SEVEN MAIN THINGS JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH OTHER PEOPLE
INTRODUCTION
Jesus Christ taught all the doctrine necessary to be able to handle any problem that a believer would ever have with another person. By mentioning Him and His teachings, I am trying to get your attention focused on the Son of God: so that in the midst of personal problems with others, you will be able to “look unto Jesus the originator and perfecter of our faith;…” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Such occupation with Christ is a characteristic of mature believers.
1) When persecuted for what you believe, maintain the right mental attitude, say good things about those who curse you, do good to them, do not revenge, but pray for them. Matthew 5:10-12,39,44-48; Luke
6:22-23; 6:26-29
2) Forgive and try to make peace with everyone who has sinned against you. God will NEVER accept your confession of sin until you do! Matthew 5:23-24; 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26
3) When you have civil problems with others, seek to settle them out of court as soon as possible. Matthew 5:25-26; Luke 12:58-59
4) When you correct someone else, make sure you have all the overt sins in your life taken care of: so the other person can not use your sins as an excuse to continue his sins. Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:41-42
5) Treat others like you want them to treat you. Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31
6) When another believer sins against you, tell them about it. Matthew 18:15-20
A) This passage applies to all believers, and emphasizes the importance of peace in a congregation.
B) Pastors, however, have the authority to handle problems with people other ways. What Jesus taught was the ideal situation. Problems in a church cannot ALWAYS be solved this way. That is, a Pastor is not limited to Matthew 18:15-20. There are other passages which govern his behavior. For example: I Corinthians 5:1-13; I Timothy 1:19-20 Titus 2:15; Titus 3:9-11; II Timothy 2:23-26; Hebrews 13:17; Jude 1-4
7) There is no limit as to how often you should forgive someone for sinning against you. Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:3-4
BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF PROBLEMS WITH OTHER PEOPLE
When looking up these passages in the Word of God, please note the PROBLEM, HOW IT WAS HANDLED, HOW IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED, and the RESULT FROM HOW IT WAS HANDLED.
1) The first recorded problem in the Bible was that which occurred between Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:1-12
2) Abraham and Lot had a problem between them which the Lord used to separate them. Genesis 13:5-12
3) Sarah and Hagar had a problem after Hagar became pregnant by Abraham. Genesis 16:1-16
4) Ishmael and Sarah had a problem when Isaac was three years old. Genesis 21:1-14
5) Isaac (when married) had a problem with the men of Gerar, because of the prosperity God gave him. Genesis 26:12-22
6) Jacob and Esau had a problem when Jacob stole Esau’s blessing. Genesis 27:41-45
7) Miriam, Aaron and Moses had a problem when Moses married an Ethiopian. Numbers 12:1-15
8) Hannah had a problem with Peninnah when she couldn’t become pregnant. I Samuel 1:1-18
9) Paul and Barnabas had a problem just before their second missionary journey. Acts 15:35-41
10) Some believers in Corinth sued other believers because of their problems. I Corinthians 6:1-8
11) Euodias and Syntyche had a problem and refused to forgive one another. Philippians 4:2-3
12) Personal problems with others can lead to murder if one is not careful. Galatians 5:15; I Peter 4:15
13) Some of the best advice given in the Scripture about dealing with other people, is given in I Peter 3:8-9.
Computers for Christ – Chicago
