The Transformative Power of Jesus in Relationships

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Name

Description: In moments of chaos and uncertainty, calling on the name of Jesus can bring about immediate change and divine intervention. The name of Jesus is not just a word; it is a powerful declaration of faith that can shift circumstances and provide protection. This is because Jesus' name is above all names, as emphasized in Philippians 2. When we invoke His name, we are inviting His presence and power into our lives, which can lead to miraculous outcomes. For instance, there was a personal story shared about a near-accident where calling out "Jesus" miraculously prevented disaster. This illustrates the profound impact that invoking His name can have in our daily lives. [19:19]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed or helpless. How can you incorporate calling on the name of Jesus in similar future situations to invite His power and presence?

Day 2: Love as a Commandment

Description: Love is not merely an emotion but a commandment from God. It requires patience, kindness, and a commitment to act in love even when we don't feel like it. This principle applies to all relationships, including marriage, friendships, and family. Love as a commandment means that we are called to love others as Jesus loves us, which involves selflessness and sacrifice. It is a choice we make daily, regardless of our feelings. By choosing to act in love, we can cultivate deeper and more meaningful relationships that reflect God's love for us. [52:42]

1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life where you struggle to show love consistently. What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate love as a commandment in that relationship?

Day 3: Becoming the Right Person

Description: Instead of focusing on finding the right person, we should focus on becoming the right person. This involves personal growth, spiritual maturity, and aligning our lives with God's Word. By doing so, we prepare ourselves for healthy, God-centered relationships. Becoming the right person means working on our character, developing virtues, and seeking to live a life that honors God. It is about self-improvement and spiritual development, which ultimately leads to more fulfilling and God-honoring relationships. [01:08:17]

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: Reflect on one area of your character that needs growth. What steps can you take this week to develop in that area and become more aligned with God's Word?

Day 4: Emotions Follow Motion

Description: Choices lead, and feelings follow. This means that our actions and decisions should be guided by commitment and love, not just by fleeting emotions. By choosing to act in love, we can cultivate lasting passion and chemistry in our relationships. Emotions are often unpredictable and can change rapidly, but our choices and actions can create a stable foundation for our relationships. By consistently choosing to act in love, even when we don't feel like it, we can build strong and enduring relationships that are based on commitment and intentionality. [01:06:25]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: Think of a relationship where you have been relying on emotions to guide your actions. What specific choices can you make today to act in love and commitment, regardless of how you feel?

Day 5: Community and Accountability

Description: Engaging in small groups and community activities is crucial for spiritual growth and relational health. Being around godly examples and receiving support from fellow believers can significantly enhance our faith journey and relational dynamics. Community provides a space for accountability, encouragement, and shared experiences, which are essential for personal and spiritual development. By participating in small groups and community activities, we can build meaningful connections and receive the support we need to grow in our faith and relationships. [23:45]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Are you actively involved in a small group or community activity? If not, what steps can you take this week to join one and build meaningful connections with fellow believers? If you are, how can you contribute more to the growth and encouragement of others in your group?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound power and significance of the name of Jesus in our lives and relationships. We began by acknowledging that sometimes, in the midst of life's chaos, we may not have the right words or even the strength to pray. However, simply calling on the name of Jesus can bring about a transformative shift in our circumstances. This is because Jesus' name is the greatest weapon we have in our faith journey, a name above all names, as emphasized in Philippians 2.

We delved into the story of Moses at the burning bush, where God revealed Himself as "I Am," signifying that He is all we need. Fast forward to the New Testament, and we see that Jesus, who took our place on the cross, embodies this "I Am." Thus, invoking His name brings divine intervention and protection, as illustrated by a personal story of a near-accident where calling out "Jesus" miraculously prevented disaster.

Transitioning to our new series on relationships, we discussed the importance of inserting Jesus into our relationships, whether they are romantic, familial, or friendships. Without Jesus at the center, our relationships are bound to falter. We also highlighted the importance of community and small groups, encouraging everyone to get involved as life change happens in the context of relationships.

We then shifted focus to practical relationship advice, particularly for singles and married couples. We emphasized that relationships require hard work and that love is a commandment, not just an emotion. We debunked the myth of finding the "right person" and instead encouraged everyone to focus on becoming the right person. This involves putting in the work to build passion and chemistry and prioritizing love as a choice that leads to lasting commitment.

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Key Takeaways

1. centered relationships. [01:08:17]
4. Emotions Follow Motion: Choices lead, and feelings follow. This means that our actions and decisions should be guided by commitment and love, not just by fleeting emotions. By choosing to act in love, we can cultivate lasting passion and chemistry in our relationships.

5. Community and Accountability: Engaging in small groups and community activities is crucial for spiritual growth and relational health. Being around godly examples and receiving support from fellow believers can significantly enhance our faith journey and relational dynamics.

### [68:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:52] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[19:19] - Philippians 2: The Name Above All Names
[19:48] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[20:16] - Jesus: The I Am
[20:37] - Personal Story: Calling on Jesus
[21:51] - Invoking Jesus in Our Lives
[22:10] - Series Introduction: Relationship Goals
[23:10] - Importance of Jesus in Relationships
[23:29] - Welcome to Trove Heights
[23:45] - Small Groups and Community
[24:32] - Financial Peace University
[25:01] - Church Announcements
[27:13] - Fun in Church
[27:28] - Relationship Advice for Singles
[32:28] - Personal Relationship Stories
[46:58] - Looking in All the Wrong Places
[47:26] - The Myth of the Right Person
[52:42] - Love as a Commandment
[66:25] - Emotions Follow Motion
[68:17] - Becoming the Right Person
[73:11] - Practical Relationship Tips
[79:10] - 12-Week Challenge
[80:45] - Worship and Giving

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Philippians 2:9-11, what is the significance of the name of Jesus? How does this passage describe the power and authority of His name?
In John 13:34, what new commandment does Jesus give to His disciples? How does this commandment relate to the way we should treat others?
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, what are the characteristics of love mentioned in this passage? How do these characteristics challenge common perceptions of love?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the pastor emphasize the power of calling on the name of Jesus during difficult times? How does this align with Philippians 2:9-11? [19:19]
How does the command to love one another in John 13:34 redefine our understanding of love as a choice rather than just an emotion? [52:42]
In what ways do the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provide a practical guide for building and maintaining healthy relationships? How can these traits be applied in everyday interactions? [01:02:40]

Application Questions

The pastor shared a personal story about calling on the name of Jesus during a near-accident. Have you ever experienced a moment where calling on Jesus brought peace or intervention? How did it impact your faith? [21:51]
Reflect on your current relationships. Are there areas where you need to insert Jesus more intentionally? How can you make Jesus the center of your relationships this week? [23:10]
The sermon emphasized that love is a commandment and not just an emotion. Think of a relationship where you struggle to show love. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? [52:42]
The pastor mentioned the importance of becoming the right person rather than just finding the right person. What steps can you take to grow spiritually and personally to become the right person in your relationships? [01:08:17]
How can you apply the principle that "emotions follow motion" in your daily life? Identify a situation where you can choose to act in love even if you don't feel like it. What might be the outcome of this choice? [01:06:25]
The sermon highlighted the value of community and accountability through small groups. Are you currently involved in a small group or community that supports your spiritual growth? If not, what steps can you take to join one? [23:45]
Reflect on the idea that love requires hard work and commitment. What is one practical way you can invest more effort into a key relationship in your life this week? How can you prioritize this relationship amidst your other responsibilities? [31:16]

Sermon Clips

1. "But what I've learned over time Is when I just stop and pause and go God today, I don't really have nothing But a hallelujah I speak the name of Jesus over my family Over my future He begins to move He begins to change things And I look at the fact that We need the name of Jesus more than we need anything else." [19:19] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Even if you are not following him yet And you insert his name He will show up He will take care of you He will prevent crazy stuff But he's waiting on us sometimes To just say Jesus here I am Jesus I need you Jesus I can't do it without you." [21:51] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Relationships are spelled With four letters W-O-R-K They're spelled with work And we put in a lot of work To get to where we are today And we still have many moments Where we don't know What we're doing I don't know how to be A good husband I feel like more times." [31:16] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We learn how to fall in love We learn what to look for in a man or woman, don't we? We learn how to break up And we learn it through what we see and hear And we hear a song and we're like, that's it That's what love is, right there If I could just You watch the music video You're like, why ain't it like that in my life? Or my relationship? It's not real life, everybody." [46:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You can't control what somebody else does But you can always control what you do How you act And how you react to it And how you respond The problem is, here's the title of my message today It's looking in all the wrong places We are looking for all the wrong things In all the wrong places." [46:58] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The problem is It's a feeling It's a feeling Chemistry and passion Is a feeling And you cannot live On feelings We talked about it last week Choices lead Feelings follow Everybody say that Choices lead Feelings follow You need to write that down You might need to write it On your hand So when you're at dinner At lunch With the person you're dating You go Oh that's right Choices lead Feelings follow." [57:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Love is a commandment It's a choice First Corinthians 13 4 It tells us this Love is patient And kind Love is a commandment I don't always feel Patience and kindness With my spouse With my significant other With my brother With my sister With my parent I don't always feel it But it's patient and kind It does not envy or boast It is not arrogant or rude It does not insist on its own way." [01:03:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Emotions follow motion Choices lead feelings follow Emotions always follow motion You know Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross This is what really Got me in the midst of all my laughing And all my fun and my study this week It's like Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross Matter of fact He's in the garden of Gethsemane The night before the cross Before he would go to the cross And he prays three times to the father Father if there be any way Let this cup pass from me." [01:06:25] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Don't waste your time looking for the right one Spend your time becoming the right one This is the biggest key I can give you We focus on everybody And this is not just for like dating This is for friendship relationships You focus on being the best friend you possibly can You go first If you do these things I'm telling you it will become reciprocal Love is a choice It's a commandment I'm going to love my wife for the rest of my life And that's a fact." [01:08:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I don't know what your relationship life Has looked like to this point I don't know if you Maybe you're like Man we're cruising Towards 20 years Towards 40 years Whatever that looks like Maybe you're like Man I don't know how I've never been in a relationship More than five months I don't know how Everything I just can't find the right Again You focus on being the right person." [01:13:57] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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