“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten it.” (unknown)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12– “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS!
TRUTH: Relationships can hurt you and they can help you!
Relationships can be painful and they can be powerful!
Matthew 18:19– “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
Relationships can be harmful and they can be healthy!
Proverbs 13:20- “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”
Our relationships might be more important than what we realize!
You can’t be everything to everybody! BUT, you can be somebody who has healthy relationships!
That which you’ve been praying about might be just one relationship away!
The key to healthy relationships really gets down to responsibility. I am responsible for how I treat others.
I may not be responsible for how they treat me, but I am responsible for my reaction to those who are difficult!
THE PATH TO HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IS A WILLING HEART!
- Am I willing to change?
Matthew 18:3– “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Many times we are looking for other people to change when we need to change!
Change is a part of Christian growth!
2 Corinthians 3:18– “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
Could it be, the more I’m changed into the image of Jesus Christ, the healthier my relationships will be?
- Am I willing to put others first?
Mark 9:35– “He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
Romans 12:10– “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
(MSG) “Be good friends who love deeply, practice playing second fiddle.”
- Am I willing to let go of the past?
1 Corinthians 13:5– “(Love)…..keeps no record of wrongs.”
In the HEAR AND NOW, are you holding on to the past?
Colossians 3:13– “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
- Am I willing to restore my broken relationships?
Matthew 5:23-24– ““This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”
Romans 12:18– “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
- Am I willing to love as Jesus did?
1 John 3:16– “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Am I willing to show love to everybody? Even the difficult people in my life?
John 13:34-35– “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
CONCLUSION:
Philippians 2:1-5– “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
THE BIRTH OF THE EARLY CHURCH IN ITS PUREST FORM! THE CULTURE OF THESE NEW BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST!
Acts 2:46-47– “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
THEY WERE TOGETHER AT THE TABLE!
A healthy relationship with others begins with a healthy relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED!
You begin a relationship with your Heavenly Father that will last for eternity.
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU THROUGH THIS MESSAGE?