Practice: Relationship 1.4 - September 27, 2009

Practices #1 – Relationship
1.4 – Why Don’t I Want To?

Why don’t I want to get in to the kind of relationships the Bible outlines?

Proverbs 16:25 (New International Version)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Matthew 7:21-23 (New International Version)
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
God’s Will is not a Secret:

Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 5:22-24 (New International Version)
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Mark 12:32-34 (New International Version)
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Some Common Excuses for Not Getting into Relationship:

1.    I don’t need people.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (New International Version)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2.    I am afraid of people

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

•    So, if God doesn’t give that spirit to us, then who does?

3.    I have been hurt too many times
1 John 1:7 (New International Version)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

John 8:36 (New International Version)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

4.    I don’t understand these people
Hebrews 4:14-16 (New International Version)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

5.    I am not good enough

Matthew 10:18-20 (New International Version)
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

**Relationship with others says more about Who you believe God is than who you believe you are or who you believe others are.

Practice: Relationship 1.3 - September 20, 2009

Practice #1 – Relationship
1.3 – Wisdom’s Desire

We are to pursue Wisdom:
Proverbs 24:14 (New International Version)
Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 4:7 (New International Version)
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 8:10-13 (New International Version)
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

Solomon defines Wisdom:
Wisdom = Knowledge + Prudence + Discretion

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version)
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

How does Wisdom Stay Wise?

1.    Listen to Others 
Proverbs 13:1 (New International Version)
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 12:15 (New International Version)
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15:31 (New International Version)
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

2.    Learn from Others
Proverbs 15:12 (New International Version)
A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

Proverbs 19:20 (New International Version)
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

3.    Invest in Others
Proverbs 15:7 (New International Version)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 16:21 (New International Version)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23 (New International Version)
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
Where do I start?

Practice: Relationship 1.2 - September 13, 2009

Practices #1 – Relationship
#2 Accountability – Dealing with the Hidden Agenda

Ephesians 6:10-14a (New International Version)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

We have to remember the truth of our situation:

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The Realities of Accountability:

1.    We don’t belong here

1 Peter 2:11 (New International Version)
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Romans 8:18-23 (New International Version)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

2.    We learn through obedience, not information.

James 1:23-25 (New International Version)
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

3.    Accountability helps us stay obedient.

Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 15:22 (New International Version)
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 12:15 (New International Version)
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 13:20 (New International Version)
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

4.    The Christian life demands growth – not compliance.

Isaiah 29:13 (New International Version)
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

•    Accountability is not Disclosure!

•    Accountability is not Transference!

5.    Accountability is Empowering Someone to Grow – Really!
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (New International Version)
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Psalm 32:1-2 (New International Version)
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him 
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Accountability helps us stay focused on what is true, so that we can grow.

Where do I start?

Practice: Relationship 1.1 - September 6, 2009

Practice #1 – Relationship
What is Intentional, Spiritual Relationship?

Colossians 3:12-14 (New International Version)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

What are the keys to spiritual relationship?

1. Encourage one another – toward spiritual realities.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God told Moses to encourage Joshua as the change of leadership happened…

Deuteronomy 1:38 (New International Version)
But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.

Deuteronomy 3:28 (New International Version)
But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.

2. Serve one another – modeling Christ’s love.
Galatians 5:13-14 (New International Version)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 1:27 (New International Version)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

3. Protect one another – Pastoring those who need help.
John 13:34-35 (New International Version)
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Romans 12:9-11 (New International Version)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

James 2:15-17 (New International Version)
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

We Model Christ’s Love to the World in Our Relationships…

Ephesians 1:5-6 (New International Version)
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.