Building Genuine Relationships in God's Family
Summary
In our gatherings, we strive to embody the true essence of the church as depicted in the Bible—a family bound by love and care for one another. This is not just about attending services but about forming deep, meaningful relationships that reflect God's desire for us to be different from the world. In a time where communication is often reduced to brief texts, God calls us to foster genuine connections, to be a family that supports and loves each other unconditionally.
Reflecting on the song we sang, "It's your breath in my lungs," we are reminded that everything we have, including our very breath, is a gift from God. This realization challenges us to use our lives to glorify Him, understanding that we were created not just by Him but for Him. Our lives are not our own; they are meant to reflect His glory. This perspective shifts our focus from self-centered living to a life that seeks to honor God in every aspect.
I shared a personal story about a challenging Little League season that seemed destined for failure. Yet, through the chaos, God brought about unexpected joy and relationships, demonstrating His power to redeem even the most hopeless situations. This serves as a reminder that God often works through our trials, bringing about miracles when we least expect them.
We also delved into the importance of building our lives on a firm foundation, as illustrated in Matthew 7. Just as houses built on sand crumble in storms, so do lives not rooted in Christ. It's crucial to ensure that our faith is genuine and deeply rooted in love for God, not just a facade. This authenticity is what will sustain us through life's storms and ultimately in the final judgment.
Finally, we explored the profound truth that God yearns jealously for us. This eternal God, who has existed from everlasting to everlasting, desires a relationship with us. This realization should stir in us a longing to reciprocate that love, to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. As we navigate a world that often contradicts biblical truths, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even if it means standing alone.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is meant to be a family, not just a place to attend services. God desires deep, loving relationships among His people, setting us apart from the world. This calls for intentional connection and care for one another. [01:33]
- Our lives and even our breath are gifts from God, meant to glorify Him. Recognizing that we are created for Him shifts our focus from self-centeredness to living a life that honors God in all we do. [03:42]
- God can redeem even the most chaotic and seemingly hopeless situations. Through trials, He often brings about unexpected joy and relationships, demonstrating His power and purpose. [05:28]
- Building our lives on the firm foundation of Christ is crucial. Genuine faith, deeply rooted in love for God, will sustain us through life's storms and in the final judgment. [08:47]
- God yearns jealously for a relationship with us. This profound truth should stir in us a longing to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else, even if it means standing alone in our faith. [16:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Church as Family
- [01:06] - Building Genuine Relationships
- [02:14] - Reflecting on Worship
- [03:08] - Created for God's Glory
- [04:12] - Little League Story
- [05:28] - God Redeems Chaos
- [06:06] - Praying for Inner Strength
- [07:38] - Building on a Firm Foundation
- [09:00] - Authentic Faith
- [10:42] - Knowing the Eternal God
- [12:34] - The Significance of Knowing God
- [14:05] - God's Jealous Yearning
- [16:09] - Longing for God
- [19:03] - The Holy Spirit's Work in Us
- [21:05] - Standing Firm in Faith
- [25:52] - Prioritizing God Above All
- [28:12] - Friendship with the World
- [31:57] - Communion and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 1:16 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
2. Matthew 7:24-27 - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders.
3. James 4:5 - "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?"
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the true essence of the church, and how does this differ from common perceptions of church today? [00:22]
2. How does the pastor describe the significance of the phrase "It's your breath in my lungs" during the sermon? [02:33]
3. What was the outcome of the Little League season, and how did the pastor interpret this experience in light of God's work? [05:04]
4. According to the sermon, what is the importance of building our lives on a firm foundation, as illustrated in Matthew 7? [08:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the understanding that "all things were created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16) challenge common views of self-ownership and purpose? [03:42]
2. In what ways does the pastor's story about the Little League season illustrate the concept of God redeeming chaotic situations? [05:28]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of God yearning jealously for us, and what implications does this have for our relationship with Him? [16:25]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between external religious practices and internal spiritual transformation? [09:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships within the church. How can you foster deeper, more meaningful connections that reflect the idea of the church as a family? [01:33]
2. Consider the phrase "It's your breath in my lungs." How can this perspective change the way you approach daily activities and interactions? [02:33]
3. Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might God be working through this trial to bring about unexpected joy or relationships? [05:28]
4. Evaluate the foundation of your faith. Are there areas in your life where you feel your foundation is more like sand than rock? How can you strengthen these areas? [08:47]
5. How does the idea that God yearns jealously for a relationship with you impact your priorities and daily decisions? [16:25]
6. In what ways can you stand firm in your faith, even if it means standing alone, in a world that often contradicts biblical truths? [21:19]
7. Identify one specific way you can shift your focus from self-centered living to a life that seeks to honor God in all you do. [03:42]
Devotional
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Quotes
We Gather in homes every Sunday and then once a month we gather together and uh so a lot of you guys don't know each other because uh you know you've got your your house that you're becoming a family with because we look in scripture and we go you know what there's supposed to be this amazing love between us. [00:00:32]
It's your breath in my lungs so I pour out my praise or is that I pour out my praise your PR praise okay sorry um it's your breath in my lungs so I pour out your praise think about that phrase It's your breath in my lungs do you believe that right now like that was his see a lot of times we think no this is mine. [00:02:20]
God used something that was so miserable and so insane and I knew he was going to do it I knew he was going to redeem this season somehow um I thought we were going to win but um he had other plans and more important things happened which were the relationships and the joy of the kids and everything else. [00:05:06]
He prays for strength in the Inner Man he says man I pray that Miracle would happen where the Holy Spirit enters you and you get this whole new set of desires and so it's not about a bunch of people keeping you sober or a bunch of people you know keeping you on the right path or a bunch of people calling you so you show up to church. [00:06:23]
We talked about how a lot of times we could be in a gathering like this and we all look the same I mean yeah we're like every nationality on earth right here but you you know but in general you don't know who's for real we're all singing the songs we're all here at a service but one person could be you know built his life on the Rock. [00:08:11]
I was just coming before God going man I love you I love you and it gave me just a new boldness like I don't really care what any of you think of me you've only been alive a few years you've only existed you know a few short years like who do you think you are why do I care so much about other people if I know the Eternal God. [00:13:34]
Do you believe that he yearns jealously AR those crazy words for God I mean that that just it just struck me like okay wait you're almighty God you've been here forever and you yearn jealously for my spirit you you you you yearn for me like that's insane I mean I you know I think we've all been in that position. [00:15:05]
I just want to get away and be alone with God like I don't want people around for a little bit and I just want it to be me and him and so I I went out in the woods but I didn't really know where the woods were cuz I was a city boy and uh my friend took me and showed me where the woods were. [00:16:41]
I mean ask yourself is that see the only way you're going to make it is if this is strong where I go God I don't care what all the other prophets said I know what I read I know what you said in this book I don't care if everyone starts turning and everyone hates me that's cool man you're the god of Eternity. [00:25:16]
I want to love you with so much of my heart I want to love all the people in this neighborhood all around San Francisco but you know what that's a far second from my relationship with God and is that true of you where you go you know what it's him first man I used sing this song when I was a kid though none go with me. [00:26:12]
I mean I'm The God Who made everything and somehow every time you come to me it's for something else other than me and that's why he goes don't you get that my spirit's like jealously longing for you but every time you talk to me it's like you want someone else you want something else you adulterous people man I'm the love of your life. [00:31:19]
I beg you get in this book alone alone and what's the natural reading of this book and that's what this church is about it's like getting people alone with God into his presence not just trusting guys like me but studying this book and going know what does it really say and as he yearns for you I'm praying that you would yearn back for him. [00:35:10]
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