Midweek 1A: The Building Blocks of Christian Relationships Hugo Casillas - Friday, June 27, 2003
(The ABC's of being a Christian)
- Attitudes Romans 12:10-21
Ro 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Ro 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Ro 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
a) Honor one another
Honor: respect or esteem shown one as his due or claimed by one as a right
Medal of Honor: a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the Congress for conspicuous intrepidity at the risk of life in action with an enemy.
Our relationships are unlike the world's relationships. Ours are based on trust, purity, respect and honor. Relationships encourage us to remain faithful, challenge us when a challenge is needed, provide support when things get tough. And the bible is the standard for great relationships. Man's relationship with God and Man's relationship with his fellow man are themes than run deep in all passages of scripture. Honoring one another protects us from the enemies tactics of divisiveness, cynicism, and criticalness.
How do you show honor to your relationships?
Do people in your life feel honored and respected by you? Ask a few.
How do you feel when somebody treats you with dishonor? Or with disrespect?
What decisions will you make and what will you change to honor your relationships?
b) Serve one another Matt 23:11
Serving one another is the foundation for Christian friendship and relationship building. Especially new relationships and discipling/mentoring relationships.
I believe this is what Jesus meant in John 15, "I no longer call you servants, for a servant does not know his master's business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you." The relationship he had with his disciples wasn't static. It changed. They began as servants, but ended as friends (at least in Jesus' eyes).
Become a secret servant to others and experience what real joy and fulfillment are all about.
c) Joyful, Patient, Faithful Phil 4:4-5
Ro 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Are you joyful? Do you laugh often? Or are you downcast? Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, ask God for tons of it. Especially during times of waiting for God to respond, or after God has responded differently than you expected.
Patience in indeed a virtue. Being impatient disrupts relationships. It is harsh, insensitive, judgmental and selfish.
Better a patient man, than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. (Prov. 16:32)
Our relationships must encourage a fidelity to God and his Kingdom. Let our conversations be full of what God has done, is doing and will continue to do if we remain faithful to him and to each other.
- Best Friends 1 Sam 14:1-7
a) Time Together
Ro 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Something spiritual happens when we meet together, weather many or just two. Jesus is amongst us during these times. And building great memories takes planning and thoughtfulness.
Hospitable: 1 a : given to generous and cordial reception of guests b : promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment.
Our homes are a great "safe place" to be hospitable. It takes practice! Practice makes perfect.
Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
b) Dream Together
Prayer together, bible study together, kingdom dreams together.
Encourage each other with vision for each other.
Pray and be united for impossible things to happen.
c) Battle Together
Ro 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Ro 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
There will be times to share victories and defeats. But, a friend loves at all times and a brother is
born for adversity (Prov. 17:17)
Jesus sent the 12 in pairs. He also sent the 72 in pairings, and the Apostles continued this practice in the book of Acts. Partner with someone to share your faith and to study the bible with some. Partner together to be fruitful this year.
- Celebrate Luke 15:32
a) Special Dates Matt 26:18
Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, kids promotions, job promotions. Jesus celebrated many things to the point some people felt uncomfortable with their lack of celebrating. Maybe they should have though... "if you cant beat him, join him"
b) Special Accomplishments
c) Special Disappointments
We are a constant celebration on its way to an even bigger celebration in heaven.
Do you like to celebrate often? Be honest with your self. Is it a party or a problem?
Do you find yourself making excuses why not to attend?
Many gave practical and valid excuses why they could not attend the great banquet.
Look up some bible passages on celebrations in both and new testaments, you will be surprisingly amazed at how many and the reasons why to celebrate. |