Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday, March 4th, 2007 – 10:30 a.m.

 

THREE CORRIDORS – MANY CHIOCES

Genesis 50: 19-21

            19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, {but} God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

 

I           THE CORRIDOR OF THE PAST

 

            Why is it important to go down this corridor?  Because the memories of your family / home exert a huge influence.  They are part of the pattern after which you will unconsciously construct your home / family / marriage.

 

II          THE CORRIDOR OF THE PRESENT

 

            F ORGIVENESS

 

            Matthew 18: 21-22

21 ¶ Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

 

            A PPRECIATION

 

The best demonstration of this is TIME TOGETHER.

 

“ The Lord will come to us as surely as the dawn comes.” – Hosea 6:3

 

M UCH COMMUNICATION

 

See Genesis 43: 26 -29

 

I NWARD TURNING DURING CRISIS

 

See Genesis 6: 18

 

L OTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND AFFIRMATION

 

See II Timothy 3: 15;  1:5

 

Y IELDEDNESS

 

* Trust             * Freedom and Grace               * Spiritual Foundation

 

III        THE CORRIDOR OF THE FUTURE

 

            S HOW RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY

 

            Ephesians 6:1

                        1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

 

            Obey means:  hearken to, give ear to, attend to

 

            Respect for Parents à Respect For:  EMPLOYER

 

                                                                        LAW

 

                                                                        CHURCH LEADERS

 

                                                                        LORD

            T RUTH

 

Ephesians 4: 25 - 25 ¶ Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE {of you} WITH HIS NEIGHBOUR, for we are members of one another.

 

Love – Truth = DECEPTIVE

 

Truth – Love = CRUEL

 

R ESTRAINT

 

Ephesians 4: 31-32 - 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

 

·        Bitterness – sharp or pointed like an ARROW

·        Clamor – criticism, insults, put-downs, sarcasm, bickering

 

O NE ANOTHER – SUBJECT

 

Ephesians 5: 21 -  and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

 

N EW WORD – AGAPE

 

Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her

 

G OD’S FULL ARMOUR

Ephesians 6: 10-11, 18 - 10 ¶ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 18 ¶ With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints