Embracing Life-Giving Relationships in Community
Summary
Good morning, Grace Church. Today, we explored the profound significance of life-giving relationships, one of our core values. We are not meant to journey through life alone; we are hardwired for community and companionship. From childhood friendships to adult partnerships, relationships shape us, offering both joy and challenges. I shared a personal story from my childhood about a friendship that started as life-giving but turned confusing and painful. This experience highlighted the reality that relationships can sometimes be life-draining. Yet, we are called to believe in the possibility of life-giving relationships, as they are part of God's design for us.
We delved into the story of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17, where Jesus revealed His glory to Peter, James, and John. This moment on Glory Mountain was not just about witnessing Jesus' divine nature but also about understanding the transformative power of beholding Him. As we behold Jesus, we are changed, and our relationships are enriched. Life-giving relationships are centered around prayer, overflowing with the love and grace we receive from God. They confront lies and embody truth, even when it's uncomfortable. These relationships are not just for our benefit but are meant to propel us toward our mission of encouraging our community toward wholeness in Jesus.
I shared a humorous story about hula hoops to illustrate that we are not complete on our own. We are pieces of a larger puzzle, needing each other to fully experience the life God intends for us. Life-giving relationships are essential, not optional. They witness to who God is, center around prayer, overflow as we behold Jesus, speak truth and grace, and are always for the sake of mission. As we prepare to celebrate baptisms, we recognize the pivotal role these relationships play in our spiritual journeys. I challenge you to seek out and nurture life-giving relationships, allowing them to draw you closer to Jesus and your purpose in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Necessity of Community: We are designed for relationships, not isolation. Life-giving relationships are essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being. They provide support, encouragement, and companionship, reflecting God's relational nature. [24:25]
2. Beholding Jesus Transforms Us: The story of the Transfiguration teaches us that beholding Jesus leads to transformation. As we focus on Him, we are changed, and our relationships are enriched. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for the sake of our mission. [36:57]
3. Prayer as the Foundation: Life-giving relationships are rooted in prayer. Prayer is more than a duty; it is communion with God and a declaration of our dependence on Him. It is through prayer that we find strength and guidance in our relationships. [34:05]
4. Confronting Lies with Truth and Grace: Life-giving relationships are not always easy. They require honesty and accountability, confronting lies and embodying truth and grace. This process, though challenging, leads to growth and deeper connection. [45:05]
5. Relationships for the Sake of Mission: Our relationships are not just for personal fulfillment but are meant to propel us toward our mission. As we behold Jesus and are transformed, we are called to reveal Him to others, encouraging our community toward wholeness in Jesus. [49:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to Core Values
- [05:30] - Childhood Friendship Story
- [10:00] - The Pain of Rejection
- [15:00] - The Possibility of Life-Giving Relationships
- [20:00] - Transfiguration Sunday
- [24:25] - The Story of Glory Mountain
- [30:44] - Beholding Jesus' Glory
- [34:05] - The Role of Prayer
- [36:57] - Transformation Through Beholding
- [39:43] - Overflowing Relationships
- [43:02] - Confronting False Identities
- [45:05] - Truth and Grace in Relationships
- [47:47] - The Temptation to Camp on Glory Mountain
- [49:51] - Mission-Focused Relationships
- [54:04] - The Hula Hoop Analogy
- [56:07] - Challenges and Invitations
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Life-Giving Relationships
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 17:1-8
Observation Questions:
1. What significant event takes place in Matthew 17:1-8, and who are the key figures involved in this event?
2. How does the sermon describe the transformation of Jesus during the Transfiguration, and what is its significance? [36:57]
3. According to the sermon, what role does prayer play in life-giving relationships? [34:05]
4. What humorous analogy did Pastor Lauren use to illustrate the importance of community, and what was its intended message? [54:04]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Transfiguration story in Matthew 17:1-8 illustrate the concept of beholding Jesus leading to transformation? [36:57]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that life-giving relationships are essential for fulfilling our mission as followers of Jesus? [49:51]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of confronting lies with truth and grace within life-giving relationships? [45:05]
4. What does the sermon imply about the challenges and rewards of pursuing life-giving relationships? [56:07]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when a relationship in your life was life-giving. What specific qualities made it so, and how can you nurture those qualities in your current relationships? [24:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer in relationships. How can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your interactions with others this week? [34:05]
3. Consider a relationship in your life that may be life-draining. What steps can you take to address this, and how might you seek God's guidance in transforming it into a life-giving one? [27:23]
4. Pastor Lauren shared a story about the temptation to "camp on Glory Mountain." How can you ensure that your relationships are not just about comfort but also about fulfilling your mission in Christ? [47:47]
5. Identify a lie or false belief you may have about yourself or others. How can you invite a trusted friend to speak truth and grace into that area of your life? [45:05]
6. The sermon challenges us to seek out life-giving relationships. Who in your life could you reach out to this week to deepen your connection and encourage each other in your faith journey? [56:07]
7. Reflect on the hula hoop analogy. How can you remind yourself that you are a part of a larger community and not meant to journey alone? What practical steps can you take to engage more fully with your community? [54:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Community as God's Design
Life-giving relationships are essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being. We are designed for relationships, not isolation, reflecting God's relational nature. These relationships provide support, encouragement, and companionship, helping us grow in our faith and understanding of God's love. They are not just beneficial but necessary for a fulfilling life in Christ. [24:25]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to strengthen your community and support network? How can you be a source of encouragement to them?
Day 2: Transformation Through Beholding Jesus
The story of the Transfiguration teaches us that beholding Jesus leads to transformation. As we focus on Him, we are changed, and our relationships are enriched. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for the sake of our mission. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we allow His glory to transform us and our interactions with others. [36:57]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally focus on Jesus today to allow His transformative power to work in your life and relationships?
Day 3: Prayer as the Foundation of Relationships
Life-giving relationships are rooted in prayer. Prayer is more than a duty; it is communion with God and a declaration of our dependence on Him. Through prayer, we find strength and guidance in our relationships, allowing us to navigate challenges with grace and wisdom. It is the foundation that sustains and enriches our connections with others. [34:05]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer into your daily interactions with others to strengthen and deepen those relationships?
Day 4: Confronting Lies with Truth and Grace
Life-giving relationships require honesty and accountability, confronting lies and embodying truth and grace. This process, though challenging, leads to growth and deeper connection. By addressing falsehoods and embracing truth, we create an environment where love and grace can flourish, allowing us to support and uplift one another. [45:05]
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:25, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a difficult truth you need to address in one of your relationships? How can you approach this conversation with both honesty and grace?
Day 5: Relationships for the Sake of Mission
Our relationships are not just for personal fulfillment but are meant to propel us toward our mission. As we behold Jesus and are transformed, we are called to reveal Him to others, encouraging our community toward wholeness in Jesus. These mission-focused relationships help us live out our purpose and share the love of Christ with the world. [49:51]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your relationships to further God's mission today? What steps can you take to encourage others toward wholeness in Jesus?
Quotes
"We believe that we wholeheartedly, we are not supposed to do this thing alone. That is our conviction. You are hardwired for relationship. You're hardwired for community. As humans, we long for friendship. We long for companionship and partnership. Every single one of us has been implicated in relationships since before we could walk or talk, right? Every single one of us has good, bad, and ugly relationships. So this message is for every single one of us. Believe it. This word of God is for you. This word is for me." [00:22:40] (42 seconds)
"Some of you are currently experiencing life-giving relationships. You have spouses, partners, family members, and friendships that energize you and delight you. They make you better and stronger. They come alongside you in your pain and your hurt, and they show you the comfort of Jesus. If that's you, I hope that today's message can help you acknowledge and celebrate those kind of relationships in your life. And in fact, to focus them toward God's desire within community." [00:26:22] (35 seconds)
"But some of you have experienced rejection, much worse than some silly bookmarks, maybe even abuse, or at least relationships that drain you or demand so much from you. They discourage you and hurt you, and they might make you question if you will ever experience the kind of community that we so often celebrate. And I will be honest enough to say that I have often preached the power of community while experiencing very little of it." [00:27:02] (36 seconds)
"Prayer is a statement of trust and reliance. Prayer is a statement of relationship, that we really are sons and daughters that can talk to and spend time with our heavenly parent. Life-giving relationships center around prayer. We pray with each other and for each other. We let others pray for us. We are vulnerable. As people of God, we are vulnerable enough to admit that we need a power we do not have." [00:35:00] (38 seconds)
"All throughout scripture, beholding is not just for the sake of recognition or acknowledgement, or even to convince the one looking to worship. Beholding always leads to transformation. Moses asked to behold God on the mountain, and he walked down the mountain physically shining with the glory of God so much so that they had to put a veil over his face. First John 3 says that when we behold him, we will become like him because we see him as he really is." [00:38:17] (40 seconds)
"Life-giving relationships overflow as we behold Jesus. There's this amazing, mysterious reality that as I behold Jesus and you behold Jesus, we are both drawn closer to God and closer to each other. When I am beholding him and you are beholding him, somehow both of our cups get filled. First John 1 says that as we walk in the light, we have fellowship with God and fellowship with each other." [00:39:43] (39 seconds)
"Life-giving relationships confront the lies and schemes of the enemy. Life-giving relationships speak and embody truth and grace when we miss it. Life-giving does not always mean easy. Does not always mean enjoyable or fun or comfortable. Sometimes giving life means cutting out the dead stuff, like the pruning work of God the gardener. We were made for relationships that take up God's armor and the sword of the Spirit and fight for our life." [00:44:01] (43 seconds)
"When we are tempted to slander another human, do we have people that come alongside us and say, hey, this is not how Jesus treated people. This is not how Jesus talked to beloved sons and daughters of God. When we give advice that's less than biblical or say an offhanded comment that's less than sanctified, do we have people who will be honest and brave enough to say, I'm not sure that's right, or I wonder if it would be like this instead." [00:44:55] (35 seconds)
"Life-giving relationships are always for the sake of mission. We behold him to reveal him. In Matthew 17, 6 through 8, it says, the disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. Get up, he said. Don't be afraid. And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone and they saw only Jesus." [00:49:30] (36 seconds)
"I had convinced myself that life-giving relationships were the cherry on top to life and not part of the DNA of how God has designed us as humans and God's heart and desire for the church. I had deceived myself out of fighting for the kinds of relationships that God would define as life-giving and necessary. This is what we have said God defines as life-giving relationships." [00:53:37] (32 seconds)
"Life-giving relationships witness to who God is. They center around prayer. They overflow as we behold Jesus. They speak and embody truth and grace when we miss it. And they are always for the sake of mission. We need this. I need people like this. I need to be this kind of person. We need each other." [00:54:04] (34 seconds)
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