Relationships

 Sunday sermon @The Tree Church 

Relationships: The lie is that relationships work  because of compatibility because of well matched characteristics. 

It can start in mutual interests. The honeymoon stage is just the beginning. We will eventually come against our differences. The decision is to fight or flight.

We can work on the relationship or leave it.

We can mutually work toward accepting those differences and meeting in the middle. Sometimes it means giving up some of our desires. We need to overlook the small stuff and concentrate on the positive. Compatibility may start the relationship it will not sustain or grow it.

Our society teaches us to leave. We do this in relationships, in the workplace, in marriages and in Churches. 

No man is righteous no, not one. Christ alone is and Him we crucified. If God is a 10 we are 0. Christ began the process in the flesh of reconciliation. He came ti this earth to be our example of the ways of God. He had real relationships with the crowds with compassion and empathy. He knew what was in the heart of man but loved us still. Peter denied Him, Judas betrayed HIm. 

John 3:16–17 (NKJV): For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Agape love is different from all others forms of love. It is an Unwavering commitment to the betterment of someone else.  It all began with the love of God.

Love-Giving-Restoration.

Philippians 2:1–4 (NKJV): Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 In the unity of Holy Spirit anything is possible…without Him nothing of value can be accomplished.

Philippians 2:5–11 (NKJV): Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus gave up His rights to serve mankind. Jesus emptied Himself. That in Him we could be saved.. He is our example on how to live our lives. 

Matthew 20:24–28 (NKJV):  25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

As long as we are alive there is hope. In Jesus and in His salvation there is redemption. In Him eternal life with God is given to anyone who will accept this gift from God. He does not leave us alone but gives us Holy Spirit. Christ within is our only hope. He is the perfector of our faith in Jesus.

The innocent Holy One took our place for the punishment that we deserved.

Hebrews 12:2–3 (NKJV): looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Not every person that comes into our life will stay…but every person that comes into our life is deeply loved by God and He wants no one to perish.

Amazing Grace!