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WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST. PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES.
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WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
THE MAGNIFYING GLASS • Do you remember as a little child when you first discovered the magnifying glass? • The magnifying glass makes something bigger than it really is. • This also happen when we look at things in our relationships under a magnified lens. • It becomes very easy to look at others faults through a magnifying glass. • We move from believing the best about our spouse, our child, our relative, or our friend to believing the worst about them. • It’s not the big things that kill relationships. • It’s little things that we magnify out of proportion.
THE MAGNIFYING GLASS • Jesus came so we could have a full abundant life. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. • Satan wants to take away that abundant life. One of his tools is to blow things out of proportion. - 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. • Here are six ways to see others in a more proportional and balanced way.
I. MOVE THE MAGNIFYING GLASS. • Move your focus from what they do wrong to what they do right. • If you’re finding yourself critical of or angry or disgusted with your spouse, you’ve likely had tunnel vision on their imperfections. • Sit down and make a list of their strengths and what they contribute positively to the relationship. • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A WRONG SUFFERED,6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;
II. STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU LOVE. • What you focus on will expand. • If you focus on what bothers you, all you will see are the things that tick you off. • Keep your eyes on what you love so you fill your heart with love. • Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
III. RESIST THE TEMPTATION. • The enemy is cunning and will do his best to get your emotions tangled up and engaged. • Once your emotions are engaged it becomes easier to see your spouse, your challenging child, your sister-in-law, or your friend as an enemy. • This is the first step of dividing and destroying. Don’t take the bait! • Mark 3:24-25 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. • Galatians 5:14-15 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.
IV. BELIEVE THE BEST ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONE. • Resist the urge to make their mistake a personal offense towards you. • Beware of statements you might make to yourself like, “If he really loved me he wouldn’t have done that,” or “She did that just to tick me off.” • These kinds of statements are fertilizer to negative emotions. • Philemon 1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
V. GET PERSPECTIVE. • Are you making a mountain out of a molehill? In the big scheme of things, is this really a big deal? • When you measure this imperfection, mistake, or disappointment against all the good things about the person, you’ll quickly see that this situation isn’t worth the energy you’re giving it. • You need spiritual perspective as well. • Remind yourself, the real enemy is Satan and his agenda is to divide and destroy. • Don’t let yourself get sucked into his distraction and deception.
V. GET PERSPECTIVE. • Beware of the power of little things. - James 3:3-5 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
VI. LEARN TO MOVE FORWARD. • Sometimes we need to give grace, forgive, and let it go. • Sometimes we need to have a conversation with the person, but only after our emotions have calmed down. • And sometimes we need to realize that our own pride or insecurity is the bigger issue here and its helpful to move the magnifying glass from our loved one to ourselves for a few convicting minutes. • Don’t let it sit there for too long or you’ll move from conviction to condemnation in no time. • Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."
CONCLUSION • That magnifying glass has its place in this world. It helps us see things more clearly at times. • Magnifying glasses in relationships can do the same. • It all depends on what you’re looking at. • What about you? • Where have you had your relational magnifying glass pointed at the wrong things? • What are you making bigger than it needs to be?
