Finding Peace through a Prompt “You Turn”

Key Text: Luke 12:13-15¹; Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Purpose: To encourage believers to break free from the habit of focusing on other people’s wrongs and to promote peace by focusing on their own contribution to a conflict.

Key principle from Small Group Study #3: God uses conflict to reveal our idols. Sermon Outline:

“No U Turn” vs. “No! You² Turn.”

Illustration: When you see a “No U Turn” sign you likely interpret it to mean that you cannot turn around and go the other direction. However, people from other cultures might read it to say “No, You Turn” and interpret the same sign to mean that they are supposed to go the other way.

1.     Our natural reaction to conflict is to blame others and focus on their wrongs (Lk. 12:13; Gen. 3, 37; 1 Sam. 18-19)

Illustration: Choose a current high profile controversy in politics, sports, or another venue where both sides are blaming each other (and maybe even those outside the conflict) and refusing to admit any wrongdoing themselves.

2.     The blame game always makes conflict worse (Lk. 12:15; Ps. 73:21-22)

Illustration: If appropriate, refer to a recent conflict in your own community that grew out of proportion because of blame shifting.

3.     You can change the course of a conflict with a prompt you-turn (Lk. 12:15; Matt. 7:1-5)

4.        Genuine reconciliation and lasting change require a transformed heart (Lk. 12:15; Matt. 15:18-19; James 4:1-3; Ezek. 36:25-27)

Conclusion: Make a “you-turn” by confessing the sinful desires in your own life and by receiving the incredible gift of forgiveness and peace won on the cross.

Challenge: Making a “you-turn” means that you are going to go in another direction. Lay out a practical plan for the route that you will take, with God’s help, as you go in this new direction