Finding Fulfillment Through Purposeful Relationships and Preparation

In life, it’s easy to get caught up in doing what’s expected, what pays the most, or what makes us popular, but true fulfillment comes from living out the purpose for which we were created. God has uniquely designed each of us, and when we operate in that design, everything fits. This is true not only for our individual callings but also for our relationships. The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 reminds us that God is intentional about the matches He makes. Adam had everything—work, purpose, relationship with God, and dominion—yet God saw it was not good for him to be alone. But God didn’t just give Adam anyone; He gave him someone “just right” for him. Matches matter, and we must be careful not to “play with matches” in our relationships, lest we end up with connections that harm rather than help.

It’s important to recognize the dangers of mismatched relationships. Some people are “too holy,” using spirituality as a mask for manipulation or instability, while others are “too lowly,” requiring constant rescue and support. Compassion is good, but we are not called to be perpetual saviors in our relationships. Instead, we should seek partnerships where both people are prepared and bring value to each other. In marriage, the biblical imagery of the husband as the head and the wife as the crown illustrates mutual elevation—each partner is meant to strengthen and uplift the other. Preparation is key: Adam was ready for Eve—he had a job, a place to live, and a relationship with God. Likewise, Eve was already a wife before she met Adam, ready to crown and elevate him.

Our backgrounds and differences are not obstacles but opportunities for growth. Adam and Eve came from different places—he from the ground, she from his rib—yet their differences were meant to complement and protect each other. In marriage and relationships, we must learn to appreciate and lean into these differences rather than trying to change one another. Finally, three relationship killers—isolation, indifference, and insecurity—must be guarded against. Relationships require intentionality, connection, and the security of unconditional love. God’s design is for us to thrive together, not just survive. Let’s commit to honoring His wisdom in our relationships and living out the purpose He’s placed within us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Purposeful Living Over Popularity True satisfaction comes from living out the unique purpose God has placed within you, not from chasing what is popular or lucrative. When you align your actions with your divine design, life “just fits,” and you experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. This applies to both your work and your relationships—seek what pleases God, not just what pleases people. [10:08]
• 2. The Cost and Commitment of Real Relationships Meaningful relationships require investment—having “skin in the game.” Just as a skin graft leaves a mark, true connection leaves a lasting impact and often comes with sacrifice. If you’re quick to quit, it may be because you haven’t truly invested; lasting relationships are built on commitment, not convenience. [10:46]
• 3. Don’t Settle for Mismatched Connections Not every relationship is a good match, and forcing a connection with someone who is “too holy” (manipulative or unstable) or “too lowly” (perpetually needy) can drain you spiritually, emotionally, and financially. Compassion doesn’t require you to marry or date everyone you help—sometimes, the most loving thing is to “keep plucking” until you find the right match. [70:13]
• 4. Preparation Precedes Partnership Before God brought Eve to Adam, Adam was prepared—he had work, purpose, provision, and a relationship with God. Likewise, Eve was already a wife before she met Adam, ready to crown and elevate him. Healthy relationships are built when both individuals are whole and prepared, not when one is looking to be rescued or completed. [76:53]
• 5. Embrace Differences and Guard Against Relationship Killers Differences in background, temperament, and perspective are meant to strengthen, not divide, a relationship. Instead of trying to change your partner to be more like you, appreciate what they bring that you lack. Be vigilant against isolation, indifference, and insecurity—these are subtle killers that erode connection and trust; intentional closeness and unconditional love are essential for lasting relationships. [94:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:08] - Living Out Your Purpose
• [10:46] - The Cost of Commitment
• [30:59] - The Overwhelming Goodness of God
• [44:55] - Grateful for Survival
• [49:03] - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
• [51:25] - Generosity and Prosperity
• [58:41] - Honoring God’s Word
• [59:29] - God’s Solution for Adam’s Aloneness
• [61:00] - Don’t Play with Matches
• [63:17] - Adam’s Preparation Before Eve
• [65:04] - The Dangers of “Too Holy” Relationships
• [69:11] - The Trap of “Too Lowly” Relationships
• [74:38] - Heads and Crowns: Mutual Elevation
• [76:53] - Preparation for Partnership
• [83:53] - The Role of Provider and Priest
• [89:27] - Embracing Different Backgrounds
• [94:22] - Relationship Killers: Isolation, Indifference, Insecurity
• [98:12] - Applying God’s Word to Your Life

Bible Reading

Genesis 2:18, 21-25 (ESV) — > 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
> 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
> 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
> 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
> 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
> 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Observation Questions

1. According to Genesis 2:18, what did God see as “not good” in Adam’s situation, and how did He choose to address it?
2. In the sermon, what were the two types of mismatched relationships the pastor warned about, and what were the dangers of each? [[01:04:23]]
3. What does the imagery of the “head” and the “crown” represent in the context of marriage, as described in the sermon? [[01:14:38]]
4. What are the three “relationship killers” mentioned in the sermon, and how are they described? [[01:34:22]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God was so intentional about creating a “helper just right” for Adam, instead of just any companion? How does this shape our understanding of God’s design for relationships? [[59:57]]
2. The sermon describes people who are “too holy” or “too lowly” as dangerous matches. What might be some signs that a relationship is spiritually or emotionally mismatched? [[01:06:56]]
3. The pastor said that Adam and Eve’s different backgrounds were meant to complement and protect each other. How can differences in a relationship be a source of strength rather than division? [[01:29:27]]
4. The sermon talks about “skin in the game” and the cost of real relationships. Why is commitment and investment so important for lasting relationships? [[10:46]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to seek God’s purpose for our lives rather than just what is popular or pays the most. Is there an area in your life where you feel you are chasing popularity or comfort instead of God’s purpose? What would it look like to realign with your purpose this week? [[10:08]]
2. Think about your closest relationships (friendships, dating, marriage, etc.). Are there any where you feel you are “playing with matches”—forcing a connection that isn’t healthy or right? What steps could you take to address this? [[01:01:44]]
3. Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where you were always the rescuer or always being rescued? How did that affect you, and what boundaries might you need to set in the future? [[01:09:11]]
4. The sermon says both Adam and Eve were prepared before God brought them together. In what ways are you preparing yourself—spiritually, emotionally, practically—for healthy relationships? What’s one area you want to grow in? [[01:16:53]]
5. Are there differences in your relationships (background, personality, perspective) that you tend to see as obstacles? How could you start to appreciate and lean into those differences instead? [[01:29:27]]
6. Of the three relationship killers—isolation, indifference, insecurity—which one do you see as the biggest threat in your own life or relationships right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to guard against it? [[01:34:22]]
7. The sermon talks about the importance of intentionality and unconditional love. What is one intentional act you can do this week to strengthen a key relationship in your life? [[01:35:54]]