Building God-Honoring Relationships on a Strong Foundation
Summary
In today's message, we embarked on a journey to explore the foundations of God-honoring relationships. We began by acknowledging that our understanding of relationships is often shaped by our upbringing and experiences. Whether we come from healthy or challenging backgrounds, we all carry a picture of what relationships should look like. However, it's crucial to remember that these images are not automatic; they require intentional effort and work.
We delved into the importance of building strong foundations in relationships, emphasizing that a lasting marriage or partnership is not built on fleeting emotions but on deliberate choices and actions. Just as a house requires a solid foundation to stand firm, so do our relationships. We must focus on the right things to ensure stability and strength.
The cornerstone of any relationship should be Jesus Christ. He is the foundation that holds everything together. When we seek Him first, we find the source of our security, love, and confidence. It's essential to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, allowing Him to be our provider and guide.
We also discussed the significance of submission to God's will. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father's plan, we too must align our desires with His. This means seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives, including our relationships. By doing so, we build a foundation that withstands the storms of life.
Finally, we explored the concept of honor and love. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind naturally leads to loving others, including our spouses. Honor is not just an internal sentiment but an external expression of love and respect. It involves showing appreciation, support, and care for those we cherish.
In conclusion, building a strong foundation in relationships begins with us. It requires seeking God first, aligning our will with His, and expressing love and honor to those around us. By doing so, we create relationships that glorify God and stand the test of time.
Key Takeaways:
1. Foundations Matter: Just as a house needs a solid foundation, so do our relationships. Building on the right foundation requires intentional effort and focusing on what truly matters. A strong foundation in relationships is built on choices and actions, not just emotions. [42:27]
2. Jesus as the Cornerstone: Jesus should be the cornerstone of our relationships. When we seek Him first, He becomes our source of security, love, and confidence. Prioritizing our relationship with God ensures stability and strength in all other relationships. [49:43]
3. Submission to God's Will: Aligning our desires with God's will is crucial. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father's plan, we must seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives, including relationships. Submission to God leads to a foundation that withstands life's storms. [01:01:45]
4. Honor and Love: Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind naturally leads to loving others, including our spouses. Honor is an external expression of love and respect, involving appreciation, support, and care for those we cherish. [01:03:56]
5. Start with Yourself: Building a strong foundation in relationships begins with us. It requires seeking God first, aligning our will with His, and expressing love and honor to those around us. By doing so, we create relationships that glorify God and stand the test of time. [01:05:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:05] - The Picture of Relationships
[38:36] - The Reality of Marriage
[40:47] - The Order of Building
[42:27] - Importance of Foundations
[43:32] - Focus Determines Foundation
[44:59] - Misplaced Priorities
[45:24] - Singles and Students
[46:25] - Spiritual Compromise
[47:50] - Building on Jesus
[49:43] - Seek First the Kingdom
[50:34] - Who is Your Source?
[51:22] - God as Provider
[52:26] - Seeking God First
[53:45] - Submission to God's Will
[55:39] - Identity in Christ
[57:23] - Complement, Not Complete
[01:00:21] - Complementing Each Other
[01:01:45] - His Will Over Ours
[01:03:03] - Honor is External
[01:03:56] - Love God, Love Others
[01:05:10] - Building Starts with You
[01:06:29] - Jesus as the Cornerstone
[01:07:49] - Getting Right with God
[01:08:50] - Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building God-Honoring Relationships
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 2:19-22
2. Matthew 6:33
3. Matthew 22:37-39
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:19-22, what role does Jesus play in the foundation of our lives and relationships? How does this passage describe the process of being built together in Christ?
2. In Matthew 6:33, what does Jesus instruct us to seek first, and what is promised as a result? How does this relate to the idea of Jesus being the cornerstone of our relationships?
3. How does the sermon describe the importance of having a strong foundation in relationships? What are some examples given of misplaced priorities that can weaken this foundation? [42:27]
4. What does Matthew 22:37-39 say about the relationship between loving God and loving others? How is this principle reflected in the sermon’s discussion on honor and love? [01:03:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the concept of Jesus as the cornerstone influence the way individuals approach building relationships? What does it mean for Jesus to be the source of security, love, and confidence in a relationship? [49:43]
2. The sermon emphasizes submission to God's will as a key component of a strong relationship foundation. How can aligning one's desires with God's will impact the dynamics of a relationship? [01:01:45]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that focusing on the right priorities can strengthen the foundation of a relationship? How does this align with the biblical instruction to seek first the kingdom of God? [43:32]
4. How does the sermon define honor as an external expression of love and respect? What are some practical ways this can be demonstrated in relationships? [01:03:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there areas where you have built on a weak foundation? What steps can you take to strengthen these foundations by focusing on Jesus as the cornerstone? [42:27]
2. Consider a time when you prioritized something other than God in your relationships. How did that affect the relationship? What changes can you make to ensure God remains the primary focus? [50:34]
3. Submission to God's will is highlighted as crucial for strong relationships. How can you practice this submission in your daily interactions with others, especially in challenging situations? [53:45]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind. How can you cultivate a deeper love for God that naturally extends to loving others, including your spouse or close friends? [01:03:56]
5. Think about a relationship where you struggle to show honor and love. What specific actions can you take this week to express appreciation, support, and care for that person? [01:03:03]
6. The sermon mentions that building a strong foundation starts with oneself. What personal changes or growth do you need to focus on to contribute positively to your relationships? [01:05:10]
7. Identify one area in your life where you have been seeking fulfillment from others instead of God. How can you shift your focus to seek God first in that area? [51:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Building on Solid Foundations
In relationships, just as in construction, the strength and longevity depend on the foundation. A relationship built on fleeting emotions is like a house on sand, vulnerable to collapse. Instead, relationships require intentional choices and actions that focus on what truly matters. This involves understanding that our perceptions of relationships are shaped by our past but can be transformed through deliberate effort. By prioritizing the right elements, we can ensure that our relationships are stable and enduring. [42:27]
Isaiah 28:16 (ESV): "Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'"
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to strengthen the foundation of your most important relationship?
Day 2: Jesus as the Cornerstone
The cornerstone of any relationship should be Jesus Christ, as He provides the ultimate source of security, love, and confidence. When we prioritize our relationship with God, it naturally strengthens all other relationships. By seeking Him first, we align our lives with His purpose, ensuring that our relationships are built on a stable and enduring foundation. This focus on Christ as the cornerstone allows us to experience His love and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [49:43]
Ephesians 2:20-22 (ESV): "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you make Jesus the cornerstone of your relationships today, and what changes might this require in your daily interactions?
Day 3: Submission to God's Will
Aligning our desires with God's will is essential for building relationships that can withstand life's challenges. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father's plan, we are called to seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives, including our relationships. This submission involves trusting God's plan over our own and allowing His wisdom to guide our decisions. By doing so, we create a foundation that is resilient and capable of enduring the storms of life. [01:01:45]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: In what area of your relationships do you need to submit more fully to God's will, and how can you begin to do that today?
Day 4: Honor and Love
Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind naturally leads to loving others, including our spouses. Honor is an external expression of love and respect, demonstrated through appreciation, support, and care for those we cherish. This love and honor are not just internal sentiments but are actively expressed in our daily interactions. By prioritizing love and honor, we reflect God's love to those around us, strengthening our relationships and glorifying Him. [01:03:56]
1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV): "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to feel your love and honor today, and what specific action can you take to show it?
Day 5: Start with Yourself
Building a strong foundation in relationships begins with personal responsibility. It requires seeking God first, aligning our will with His, and expressing love and honor to those around us. By focusing on our own spiritual growth and relationship with God, we set the stage for healthier and more God-honoring relationships. This personal commitment to growth and alignment with God's will is the starting point for creating relationships that stand the test of time. [01:05:10]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What is one area of your personal spiritual life that you can focus on improving this week to enhance your relationships?
Quotes
We all have some kind of focus, right? For some of us, we've been trying to do it God's way, and while we fail and get it wrong and it messes up, we try. For some of us, it's focused on power. You ever been around somebody like me that has to be right all the time? [00:43:40] (18 seconds)
If you get your security from someone, they will fail you. And there will be more days than you want to admit to where when they don't give you the compliment you need, you wonder if you got it. And God's going, no. Seek me first, not them. Like, live with them. Live for them. But man, just be with them. But I'm your provider. [00:51:17] (24 seconds)
And so while I tell you find a spouse that loves you, I would tell you don't find a source that leaves you. Find a spouse that loves you, but don't find a source that leaves you. Because if it's not God, they will leave you. Here's the truth, right? Seeking Him first, seeking Him first is going to God before other people and things. [00:52:01] (25 seconds)
And when I love God, it shows. When I love my spouse, it shows. It looks like pursuit. It looks like honor. It looks like acknowledging them and their presence. It looks like loving them in front of others. It looks like supporting what they're about. And so here's what I want to say. Building with the right foundation does not start in marriage. It starts with you. Individually. [01:05:10] (28 seconds)
We can't build a foundation of righteousness. We can't build on the cornerstone of righteousness. We can't build on the one that supports all the weight of righteousness. We can't do all that on a life of sin. Now, we're all sinners. So what takes the place of that? It's the cornerstone. His name is Jesus. [01:06:06] (23 seconds)
And here's why he's the cornerstone. Because he says, this is literally what he teaches in the Bible, that through his sacrifice, that he now carries the weight of our sin, the debt that it creates between us and God, and he carries the weight of it all even in our marriage. And he goes, if you would allow me into your life, I would surely carry it. Because I'm the cornerstone. [01:06:29] (25 seconds)
But today's the day I've got to build it on the one that doesn't. I've got to build it on the one that is always there. He's with me in the midst of trial and circumstance, no matter what. And so if a relationship built on God, if a relationship that lasts, is a part of a strong foundation, starts with me, I need to get me right with God first. [01:08:50] (22 seconds)
And then maybe you're in the room and you're like, I'm good with God, but my marriage is a mess. Or my future marriage is a mess. Or I want to make sure that the person I date today or one day, we do it the right way. I want to pray with you too. And I just want to, after we pray salvation, I just want to pray and just, you know what? I'm going to raise my hand and say, you know what, God? I just need you to show me how to build this thing right. [01:09:44] (25 seconds)
And I just want to ask you, don't leave without filling the card out on that clipboard. We really believe in doing life together at Radiate. We want to answer questions, put resources in your hands and pray for you if you need it. If you're in Columbia, take that clipboard on your way out by the care corner, the prayer center on your way out. At every other location, it's at the Connect Center on your way out. If you're online, just let us know. We want to send you the same thing and contact you. [01:11:05] (25 seconds)
God, you see every hand and heart. And I pray that right now, right wherever anybody is in the journey, God, that you'd walk with them, that you'd be with us. God, that you teach us how to build on a strong foundation. God, that you'd be with us. God, that you teach us how to build on a strong foundation. You are first. Let us seek first the kingdom of God and everything will be added to us. So God, we love you. We honor you. [01:12:01] (24 seconds)
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