“I’m Sorry, I Can Do Better!”
Pastors Phil & Jannette Derstine 12-28-25
I’m Sorry, I Can Do Better! – A phrase that I tell men to use, to stop an argument (works for women too!)
- When one knows you’re sorry and you’re going to work on changing… There’s nothing more to debate!
- Marriage isn’t easy, but it’s worth it
- Today: A few key Biblical Principles learned in our 50 yrs. of Marriage.
Perilous Times – Bring opportunities for knowledge through experience (no victory without a battle).
- II Timothy 3:1 “In the last days, perilous times shall come. (5) Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof… (7) Ever learning but never coming to a knowledge (participative, experiential) of the truth.”
- Knowledge: Academic knowledge vrs. Experiential knowledge
- Today we’d like to share with you some experiential TRUTH that has sustained our marriage.
Sowing Peace – Is a way to bring God into the middle of your chaos.
- James 3:18 “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
- (NIV) “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
- The goal: NOT being “right,” but rather “righteous” (Right standing with God)
- Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
- In perilous times, peace doesn’t happen by accident. It’s sown—through love, forgiveness, humility, joy, and obedience.
- Peace: One of the 9 Fruit of the Spirit – the Character of God (Love, Joy, Peace…)
- John 16:33 (Jesus)“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (You have it, so SOW it!)
Mercy & Truth – It’s possible to find favor with God and man.
- Proverbs 3:3,4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
- Combination of Mercy & Truth = favor with God and man
- Being honest (truth) with one another but with forgiveness (mercy).
- Matthew 5:23-24 – Leave your gift at the altar and first go make it right with your brother. (Reconciliation before worship)
- John 21 – After Peter had denied Christ 3 times…. Jesus went and sought him out at Sea of Galilee.
- Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil.” (Resolve conflict quickly… before days-end)
Overcome Evil with Good – Light up the darkness with the Light of Life – John 8:12.
- Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (21) Overcome evil with good.”
- Nehemiah 8:10 “The Joy of the Lord is your strength”
- Use Joy as a weapon of spiritual warfare!
- Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart (laughter) doeth good like a medicine…”
- Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2) By whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (3) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance: (4) Perseverance, character, and character, hope. (5) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
