Building Bridges: The Power of Intentional Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: The Company You Keep Shapes Your Destiny

The people you choose to walk with will influence the direction of your life, your character, and your spiritual growth. Scripture teaches that wisdom is not just innate but can be acquired by intentionally surrounding yourself with those who are wise in the Lord. On the other hand, associating with those who lack spiritual discernment can lead you into trouble, even if you do not directly participate in their actions. Take time to reflect on who is in your inner circle and whether their influence is drawing you closer to God or pulling you away from your purpose. [37:33]

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV): "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

Reflection: Who are the three people you spend the most time with, and how are they influencing your walk with God—are they helping you become wise or leading you into trouble?

Day 2: God Designed Us for Relationship

From the very beginning, God declared that it was not good for man to be alone, emphasizing our need for meaningful relationships. We are created to walk together, support one another, and grow in community. Even in our differences and occasional conflicts, relationships are the context in which we become more Christlike and fulfill our God-given assignments. Embrace the truth that needing others is part of God’s design, and seek to build connections that reflect His love and purpose. [44:12]

Genesis 2:18 (ESV): "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'"

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you’ve been keeping at a distance out of self-sufficiency or fear—how might God be inviting you to open your heart to deeper relationship today?

Day 3: Settle Disagreements Because You Belong to the Lord

Disagreements and conflicts are inevitable, even among those who are passionate about serving God. The call is not to avoid all conflict, but to handle it in a way that honors Christ and preserves unity. When we let pride or the need to be right take over, we risk overshadowing the good God is doing through us. Instead, let your identity in Christ motivate you to seek reconciliation, ask for help if needed, and focus on the greater purpose of your relationships. [48:04]

Philippians 4:2-3 (ESV): "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life."

Reflection: Is there a disagreement or tension you’ve been avoiding—what step can you take today to move toward reconciliation, even if it means asking for help?

Day 4: Be a Bridge, Not a Barrier

Every relationship you have is either building a bridge to God’s purpose or constructing a barrier that keeps you or others stuck. Like Jonathan with David, true friends and godly connections will set aside ego and self-interest to encourage, support, and propel others toward their calling. Evaluate whether you are being a bridge—speaking life, offering encouragement, and helping others grow—or if you are, perhaps unintentionally, being a barrier through criticism, gossip, or neglect. [58:07]

1 Samuel 18:3-4 (ESV): "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt."

Reflection: Who in your life needs you to be a bridge today—how can you set aside your own interests to encourage or support their God-given purpose?

Day 5: Use Discernment and Set Boundaries in Relationships

Not every relationship is meant to be intimate or permanent; discernment is needed to recognize who is a bridge and who may be a barrier to your spiritual growth. Even as you love everyone, you are called to steward your time, energy, and heart wisely, just as Jesus did with His circles of influence. Pray for wisdom to know when to set healthy boundaries, and ask God to help you be intentional about the relationships you nurture, so that you can walk in freedom and purpose. [01:03:33]

James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you need to set a new boundary or seek God’s wisdom—what is one practical step you can take today to honor God in that relationship?

Sermon Summary

Today, the focus is on the power and purpose of relationships in our lives, and the call to be intentional about whether we are building bridges or barriers with those around us. God designed us for relationship—not just with Him, but with one another. From the very beginning, it was not good for man to be alone, and throughout scripture, we see that God moves through people to bless, encourage, challenge, and even refine us. Yet, just as people can be the source of our greatest blessings, they can also be the source of our deepest pain. The challenge is to discern which relationships are helping us move toward our God-given purpose, and which ones are holding us back.

We are reminded that the world often looks to culture and social media for cues on how to relate, but as followers of Christ, our relationships should look different. The foundation must be the Word of God, and our interactions should reflect the fruit of the Spirit—gentleness, humility, grace, forgiveness, and self-control. Proverbs 13:20 teaches us that who we walk with shapes who we become. It’s not about being exclusive or self-righteous, but about seeking spiritual wisdom and surrounding ourselves with those who encourage us in our walk with Christ.

Conflict is inevitable, even among believers. The example of Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians shows that even those who labor for the gospel can fall into disagreement, and unresolved conflict can overshadow a legacy of good. Paul’s instruction is not to assign blame, but to urge reconciliation for the sake of unity in Christ. Sometimes, we need help from wise, godly counsel to bridge the gap.

Biblical relationships like Jonathan and David show us the beauty of selfless friendship, while stories like Samson and Delilah warn us of the dangers of relationships that pull us away from God’s purpose. Not everyone is meant to be in our inner circle, and boundaries are necessary. Jesus Himself modeled this with the multitudes, the twelve, and the three. We are called to take inventory: Are we being a bridge or a barrier? Are we helping others move toward their destiny, or are we hindering them? And just as importantly, are we allowing others to do the same for us?

The practical call is to examine our relationships, set healthy boundaries, and seek to be a blessing. Sometimes, being a bridge means setting ourselves aside to help someone in need, even when it’s inconvenient. In doing so, we reflect Christ and participate in God’s work of restoration and transformation.

Key Takeaways

1. God designed us for relationship, both with Him and with others. Our connections are not accidental; they are part of His plan to shape, challenge, and bless us. Even when relationships are difficult, they are opportunities for growth and sanctification, moving us from glory to glory as we become more Christlike. [45:02]
2. The company we keep profoundly influences our character and destiny. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that walking with the wise leads to wisdom, while associating with fools brings trouble. Spiritual wisdom is not about earthly accolades, but about aligning with those who are rooted in the Word and display the fruit of the Spirit. [38:35]
3. Conflict is inevitable, even among believers, but unresolved disagreements can overshadow a lifetime of good. Paul’s appeal to Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians is a call to prioritize unity in Christ over being right. Sometimes, reconciliation requires humility and the willingness to seek help from wise, godly counsel. [47:15]
4. Not every relationship is meant to be intimate or permanent. Jesus modeled healthy boundaries, investing deeply in a few while loving the many. We must discern which relationships are bridges to our God-given purpose and which are barriers, and have the courage to set boundaries where needed, always guided by love and wisdom. [62:11]
5. Being a bridge often means setting aside our own agenda to serve others, even when it’s inconvenient. Small acts of kindness, encouragement, or simply being present can have a profound impact on someone’s life. In these moments, we reflect Christ’s love and participate in God’s work of restoration, often without realizing the full extent of our influence. [70:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:11] - Entering God’s Presence
[23:30] - Praying for Open Hearts
[27:14] - The Power of God’s Word
[30:56] - Real Talk: People Problems
[34:21] - Bridges or Barriers: The Challenge
[37:14] - Proverbs 13:20 and the Company We Keep
[40:31] - Who Are You Hanging Out With?
[43:36] - God’s Design for Relationship
[46:05] - Paul’s Appeal: Resolving Disagreements
[51:08] - When Conflict Overshadows Legacy
[54:19] - The Need for Godly Counsel
[57:31] - Biblical Examples: Jonathan & David
[59:56] - Barriers: Samson and Delilah
[61:20] - Fruit, Fire, and Future: Evaluating Relationships
[63:03] - Jesus’ Model of Boundaries
[66:13] - Being a Bridge in Everyday Life
[71:54] - Practical Application and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 13:20, what is the result of walking with the wise versus associating with fools? How does the sermon explain the difference between earthly wisdom and spiritual wisdom? ([38:15])
In Philippians 4:2-3, what does Paul urge Euodia and Syntyche to do, and what does he ask the church to do to help them? ([46:42])
What are some biblical examples given in the sermon of relationships that were bridges (helpful) and barriers (harmful)? ([57:31])
How did Jesus model boundaries in his relationships, according to the sermon? ([01:03:03])

Interpretation Questions

Why does the company we keep have such a strong influence on our character and spiritual growth? How does this relate to the idea of “fruit, fire, and future” in evaluating relationships? ([01:01:20])
Paul doesn’t assign blame in the conflict between Euodia and Syntyche but urges reconciliation. What does this teach about handling disagreements among believers? ([47:15])
The sermon mentions that not every relationship is meant to be intimate or permanent. How can someone discern which relationships should be in their “inner circle”? ([01:02:11])
What does it look like, practically, to be a “bridge” in someone else’s life? Can you think of a time when someone was a bridge for you, or you for them? ([01:10:17])

Application Questions

Take a moment to “take inventory” of your closest relationships. Are there any that are helping you move toward your God-given purpose? Are there any that might be holding you back? What is one step you could take this week to strengthen a bridge or set a healthy boundary? ([01:04:16])
Think about a recent conflict or disagreement you’ve had. Did you focus more on being right or on seeking unity in Christ? What would it look like to approach that situation with humility and a desire for reconciliation? ([47:15])
The sermon challenges us to reflect the fruit of the Spirit—gentleness, humility, grace, forgiveness, and self-control—in our relationships. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one practical way you can grow in that area this week? ([42:35])
Are there people in your life who consistently pull you away from your walk with God, like Samson and Delilah? What boundaries might you need to set to protect your spiritual health? ([01:00:19])
Jesus invested deeply in a few, while loving the many. Who are the “few” in your life that you need to invest in more intentionally? How can you do that this month? ([01:03:03])
The sermon shared a story about setting aside personal plans to help someone in need. Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to be a bridge, even if it’s inconvenient? What is one way you can serve or encourage them this week? ([01:10:17])
When you think about your own influence, are you more often a bridge or a barrier in the lives of others? What is one area where you want to grow in being a bridge? ([01:04:34])

Sermon Clips

You're not here by accident. You're here on purpose. God has a plan and a purpose for each of you. Amen. Hallelujah. Whether you know it or not, the word you're going to receive today is going to work in your heart and it's going to work in your life. Amen. And we pray that you just don't hear the word today, but that you go and apply it so that not we be hear only hearers of the word, but doers of the word. Amen. [00:29:48]

If we take an inventory have also probably helped people and hurt people. Amen. Amen. So we're just going to get that on the table. We're all human. We're in these fleshly bodies. But if we think about relationships and who we connect with, sadly enough, people don't look to Christians. [00:32:49]

The church and Christians should look different when it comes to connections, when it comes to relationships, when it comes to how we interact. Amen. With people. Amen. So today we're going to take an inventory of that, our own relationships and as well as what we're doing um with with others in others lives. [00:34:00]

You can either be a bridge or a barrier. And we probably haven't thought about ourselves. We like to think about other people and those people that are barriers and obstacles for us. But we also have people in our lives that are bridges, that are connectors, that are helping us get to our divine assignment, that are helping us with our walk in Christ. Amen. [00:34:29]

He wants us to continue to grow. He wants us to continue to stay challenged. He wants us to continue to be more Christlike. And that's that sanctification. Amen. We start at salvation. That's the start. We've got to continue progressing, progressing, glory to glory. Amen. [00:35:20]

Life hinges on those relationships. Amen. Not our cars, not our careers, not our clout or how much money we have in the bank or our investments. God moves through people. Guess what? So does the enemy. Amen. Because he imitates and copies everything that God does. [00:36:23]

Are your relationships building that bridge to your God-given future and purpose or are they constructing that barrier that leaves you stuck in cycles and you're on that repeat cycle? Amen. [00:36:58]

Walk with the wise and become wise. Associate with fools and get in trouble. So, relationships. Amen. Hallelujah. What else do we need? We can leave now, right? Walk with the wise, become wise. Amen. Associate with fools and get in trouble. [00:37:28]

Who do you associate with? Who do you hang out with? Who do you let in your circle? Amen. Amen. Because a lot of times we think we can rise above whatever is going on. Oh, I'm not going to be like them. No. Whoever you are associating with, whoever you're connecting with, that is who you become. Amen. [00:40:01]

The company you keep will influence the character you develop. And ultimately, it's those day-to-day decisions and then it it's the trajectory of your life. Soon enough, one bad decision or one thing, you're hanging out with someone and then now you've gone down a different cycle or different path. Amen. [00:42:56]

He designed us for relationship. He wanted us to walk together, cry together, laugh together, just be able to have relationships with people. Amen. Amen. He knew that those assignments were going to come through people and how to become more Christlike was going to become also through people. [00:45:08]

So now all their good work is being overshadowed by a disagreement. These are women in the early days with Lydia that are the first to hear of the gospel and they're teachers. Some some translations or commentaries even say they're probably deacons in the church. So these are women that are teaching not they're on fire for God. [00:52:52]

So, you should be able to help speak truth, speak life. And when you use the word of God as that anchor, you're going to be able to do that. It's not you speaking, but it's the word of God. It's not you being critical or judgmental. It's you being wise and you using the word of God to help you in your relationships. Amen. [00:59:33]

Are your relationships bringing you more toward God or pulling you away? Amen. If they're pulling you away, then we need to challenge ourselves. Should they be in our inner circle? There should be fruit, fire, and future when you're looking at all your relationships. Amen. Amen. [01:01:06]

And as I was preparing this message, I mean this just relationships in general, we mean we can be here for probably months and months on just relationships. Amen. And I was just trying to get some quiet time, some just alone time to really focus on Lord, what do you want to impart to your people? [01:06:49]

And how can we improve and make sure that we're not being a barrier, but that we're being a bridge for someone, that we're connecting, you know, someone else's purpose. Amen. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. [01:12:13]

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