"Peace on Earth! Really?"

These are my notes from Apex this morning. Beautiful Christmas music with a mini choir and the praise band.

Matthew 10:34-39

Jesus provids such life giving peace that it can actually start a war.
That peace impacts all parts of our lives.

A "private" Christian is a biblical oxymoron..it doesn't exist.

At Christmas, many of us have family who are not Christian. It creates conflict.

This relational conflict arises because :

1. There is change in the focal point of your love. Family isn't #1...Christ is.

2. of the change in your identity. Christ died to save us from ourselves. We die to ourselves. Sometimes you lose friends.

3. of the supreme nature of your devotion to Christ. You take up your cross..you die to self..it's like a spiritual electric chair.

Simple principles to remember in relating to non believing family

1. Don't be surprised
2. Don't quarrel
3. Have a merciful attitude..God had mercy on you everyday
4. Respond to mistreatment with goodness..respond to sarcasm with encouragement and acts of service
5. Purue honor within biblical lines. Push honor without compromise.
6. Pray and be ready
Obey and let God take care of the fruit.