Navigating Relationships: A Journey of Faith and Community

Devotional

Day 1: The Idolatry of Expectations

We were never meant to have all our needs met by a community, another person, or the church. When we look to these entities to fulfill our needs, we are guilty of idolatry. The only relationship that is meant to fulfill all our needs is the relationship we have with Jesus Christ. Anytime we try to put something in the place of the void that only God can fill, we will always come up short ([29:58]).

Bible passage: Exodus 20:3 - "You shall have no other gods before me."

Reflection: Reflect on a relationship or community where you have been expecting them to meet all your needs. How can you shift your expectations towards God instead?

Day 2: The Importance of Discernment in Relationships

We must examine our relationships and ask ourselves if they align with the word of God. The Bible warns us against associating with those who are sexually immoral, greedy, idolatrous, or abusive. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking we can change these individuals, as we risk learning their undisciplined ways ([16:42]).

Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 5:11 - "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one."

Reflection: Are there any relationships in your life that do not align with the word of God? How can you address this in a way that honors God?

Day 3: The Gift of Relationships

Each relationship and community is a gift from God. We should treat them as such, bearing with one another and striving to please God in the way we navigate these relationships. People matter to God, and they should matter to us ([32:48]).

Bible passage: Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Reflection: How can you better honor the relationships and communities in your life as gifts from God?

Day 4: Relationships and Destiny

Our relationships matter to our destiny and purpose. We need one another, and the idea that we don't need anyone is a lie from the devil. We were born for community and relational community ([10:15]).

Bible passage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

Reflection: How have your relationships shaped your destiny and purpose? How can you foster a sense of community in your life?

Day 5: The Body of Christ

Just as the human body consists of many parts, so does the body of Christ. Each part has a role to play, and no part can say to another, "I have no need of you." We need each other to function as a whole ([11:43]).

Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 12:21 - "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don’t need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don’t need you!'"

Reflection: How can you better appreciate and value the different roles within your church community?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of relationships and community in our spiritual journey. I stressed that God has given us the ability to navigate through various situations in our relationships, and that our ultimate goal should be to please God in how we handle these relationships. I urged the congregation to bear with one another, even in difficult times, because each relationship and each person is a gift from God. I also highlighted the importance of forgiveness, humility, and patience in our interactions with others, as these are qualities that God values.

In the second part of my sermon, I shared my personal journey as a youth pastor and how my relationships with other pastors led me to my current position. I emphasized that our relationships matter to our destiny and purpose, and that the idea that we don't need anyone else is a lie from the devil. I used 1 Corinthians chapter 12 to illustrate the importance of community and our need for one another. I concluded by urging the congregation to evaluate their relationships in light of God's word, and to avoid relationships that do not align with God's instructions.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1. "Anything worth having takes work. We live in this microwave generation where we have immediate access to anything and so we're so used to quick and easy. But any relationship that is built just overnight isn't worth much in the morning. Relationships and community take time, it's not just a friend request or just a shared interest. Real community and real relationships will require of you." 22:35

2. "Each relationship, each person, each community is a gift. We should treat it as such. People matter. They matter to God and they should matter to you. What has God called you to do? How has God called you to move in the area of your relationships?" 32:35

3. "One of the most important things we do as people is develop relationships. We have this need for community. Even the world has a desire for friendship, for relationships, for community. But as with anything, if we don't understand the purpose of a thing, it is inevitable that we will abuse it." 00:00

4. "Our relationships matter to our destiny and our purpose. We need one another. This idea that you don't need anybody is a lie from the devil. It's a trick of the enemy. As a matter of fact, what has happened is now you have taken on the world's way of thinking and doing as it pertains to relationships because you were born for community, you were born for relational community." 09:37

5. "God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them just as he willed and saw fit with the best balance of function. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' Paul is talking to the church in Corinth about our need for one another." 09:37

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