We need relationships! Deeper than just a hello on a Sunday.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 AMP
9 Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; 10 for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
In order to have deeper relationships, we must take intentional steps to both develop and nurture healthy, life giving friendships.
Hebrews 10:24-25 TPT
‘Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.’
Creative Ways:
A phone call, going for coffee, praying for them,
Get in a small group! Its worth the time investment!
Neglect: or abandon; implies someone who is extremely discouraged.
When you are discouraged or going through a hard time, the tendency can be to isolate. But the Bible says to get together MORE frequently in those times. Push past the emotions and push INTO relationship
Note: People can NEVER be your source. God is always your source, but God does and will use people to encourage and help you.
Romans 12:9-10,13 TPT
‘Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family . Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home.’
This goes way beyond seeing each other on Sunday at church. It’s letting other people truly see into your authentic true life, and allowing others to let down their guard and show you theirs. And it still be a safe place for you both.
You reap what you sow…. Sow friendship and God will bring you friends.
It’s in genuine relationship where healing can actually happen.
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Being honest with yourself and vulnerable with others you trust, will start the healing process and bring breakthrough. Exposing the devil and his works in your life, brings life to those places, and now gives power to the Lord to start to heal.
Our tendency can be to protect ourselves, and protect what we believe and do, in order to not feel rejected. But we can’t grow from that place. It keeps us stagnant.
Proverbs 27:5-6 TPT
‘It’s better to be corrected openly if it stems from hidden love. You can trust a friend who wounds you with his honesty, but your enemy’s pretended flattery comes from insincerity.’
A true friend will care more about your spiritual well being than just your physical well being.
We are all doing life with people who will mess up.
Proverbs 17:9 ESV
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
How do we handle the hard issues that come with doing life with imperfect people?
Matthew 18:15-17 TPT
‘“If your fellow believer sins against you, you must go to that one privately and attempt to resolve the matter. If he responds, your relationship is restored. But if his heart is closed to you, then go to him again, taking one or two others with you. You’ll be fulfilling what the Scripture teaches when it says, ‘Every word may be verified by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ And if he refuses to listen, then share the issue with the congregation in hopes of restoration . If he still refuses to respond, even to the church, then you must disregard him as though he were an outsider, on the same level as an unrepentant sinner.’
We must stop talking about people, and start talking TO them!
We want to see God move in a radical way in our church and in our region.
- The church in Acts grew rapidly, and their model needs to be seen and used today!
Acts 2:46-47 AMP
Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.
-Make the decision to start authentic relationships
-Make the decision to have the hard conversation with people, and not about people.
-Make the decision to invite other people into authentic relationships.
-Use small groups as a way to invite unchurched people into authentic relationships.
-Make the decision to bring someone to church this month. They need what the church has to offer.