Transformative Power of Godly Relationships
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of relationships in our spiritual journey. From the very beginning, God designed us to live in community, not isolation. Our relationships with others are a reflection of our relationship with God, which serves as the foundation for all other connections. We delved into the story of Lazarus from John 11, illustrating how relationships can glorify God and bring about transformation. Jesus' delay in visiting Lazarus, despite his illness, was a divine setup to demonstrate God's glory through relationships. This narrative teaches us that our friendships and connections should ultimately glorify God.
We are reminded that biblical relationships are not just about companionship but are vital for our spiritual growth and freedom. They challenge us, encourage us, and help us take the next steps in our faith journey. At Bridge City Church, we emphasize the importance of gathering, growing, giving, and going—all for the glory of God. These steps are essential in building strong, godly relationships that reflect Christ's love and grace.
The story of Lazarus also highlights the role of community in our healing and transformation. Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, but it was the community that helped him shed his grave clothes and walk into his new destiny. This is a powerful reminder that we need others to help us break free from past hurts and walk in the freedom that Christ offers.
As we reflect on our relationships, we are encouraged to prioritize our relationship with God, invest in community, and love sacrificially. These actions not only transform our lives but also impact those around us, leading others to believe in Jesus through our example. Ultimately, our relationships should be a testament to God's love and a means to fulfill His mission on earth.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Foundation of Relationships: Our relationship with God is the cornerstone of all other relationships. When we prioritize our connection with Him, it influences how we interact with others, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. This divine foundation allows us to love and serve others genuinely. [02:35]
2. Community and Healing: The story of Lazarus teaches us that while Jesus provides the power for transformation, it is the community that helps us walk into our new identity. We need others to support us, challenge us, and help us shed the "grave clothes" of our past. [11:26]
3. Biblical Relationships Glorify God: Our friendships and connections should ultimately glorify God. By living in community and reflecting Christ's love, we demonstrate His glory to the world. This is the essence of relational evangelism, where our lives become a testament to God's love. [15:39]
4. Investing in Community: Building strong, godly relationships requires intentional investment. We must actively seek out and nurture friendships that encourage, challenge, and help us grow in our faith. This investment leads to a community that supports and strengthens us. [25:56]
5. Sacrificial Love and Forgiveness: Biblical relationships are characterized by sacrificial love and forgiveness. We are called to bear one another's burdens, serve selflessly, and extend grace as Christ has done for us. This reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of Christ. [20:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:35] - The Importance of Relationships
- [05:52] - The Story of Lazarus
- [09:14] - Jesus' Compassion and Power
- [11:26] - Community's Role in Transformation
- [14:00] - Impact of Relationships on Belief
- [15:39] - God's Timing in Relationships
- [17:27] - Horizontal and Vertical Relationships
- [20:42] - Sacrificial Love and Forgiveness
- [21:36] - Relational Evangelism
- [22:16] - The Church as the Body of Christ
- [23:53] - Unity in Diversity
- [24:52] - The Early Church's Example
- [25:22] - Walking in Freedom
- [26:44] - Invitation to Relationship with Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 11:1-44
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
3. Proverbs 27:17
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 11, why did Jesus delay his visit to Lazarus despite knowing about his illness? What was the purpose behind this delay? [05:52]
2. How did the community play a role in Lazarus's transformation after Jesus raised him from the dead? What specific actions did they take? [11:26]
3. According to the sermon, what are the "G's" that Bridge City Church emphasizes, and how do they relate to building relationships? [02:35]
4. What does the pastor mean by "grave clothes," and how does this metaphor relate to our personal spiritual journey? [11:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the importance of community in our spiritual healing and growth? What might this suggest about the role of others in our personal faith journey? [11:26]
2. The sermon mentions that biblical relationships should glorify God. What are some practical ways that our friendships and connections can reflect God's glory? [15:39]
3. In what ways does the pastor suggest that our past relationships and hurts can impact our current spiritual freedom? How can we overcome these past influences? [02:35]
4. How does the concept of "relational evangelism" differ from traditional evangelism, and why might it be more effective in today's context? [21:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any that do not glorify God? What steps can you take to align these relationships with your faith? [15:39]
2. Think about a time when you felt supported by your community during a difficult period. How did this support impact your spiritual journey, and how can you offer similar support to others? [11:26]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sacrificial love and forgiveness. Identify a relationship in your life where you can practice these principles more intentionally. What specific actions can you take? [20:42]
4. Consider the "G's" mentioned in the sermon: gather, grow, give, and go. Which of these areas do you feel most challenged in, and what is one practical step you can take to grow in that area? [02:35]
5. The pastor talks about the importance of having people in your life who challenge and encourage you. Who are these people in your life, and how can you deepen these relationships? [17:27]
6. Reflect on the idea of "grave clothes" in your life. What past hurts or habits do you need to shed to walk in the freedom Christ offers? How can your community help you in this process? [11:26]
7. How can you actively participate in relational evangelism within your community? Identify one person you can reach out to this week and share God's love with them. [21:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Divine Blueprint for Relationships
Our relationship with God is the cornerstone of all other relationships. When we prioritize our connection with Him, it influences how we interact with others, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. This divine foundation allows us to love and serve others genuinely. Our spiritual journey is deeply intertwined with the relationships we cultivate. By placing God at the center, we create a ripple effect that enhances every other connection in our lives. This alignment with God’s will enables us to love others selflessly and serve them with a heart full of grace and compassion. [02:35]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life that needs strengthening. How can you prioritize your relationship with God to positively impact this connection today?
Day 2: Community as a Catalyst for Transformation
The story of Lazarus teaches us that while Jesus provides the power for transformation, it is the community that helps us walk into our new identity. We need others to support us, challenge us, and help us shed the "grave clothes" of our past. This narrative underscores the importance of community in our spiritual growth and healing. As we journey through life, the support and encouragement of others are vital in helping us embrace the new life that Christ offers. [11:26]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a "grave cloth" from your past that you need to shed. Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability in this process?
Day 3: Relationships as a Reflection of God's Glory
Our friendships and connections should ultimately glorify God. By living in community and reflecting Christ's love, we demonstrate His glory to the world. This is the essence of relational evangelism, where our lives become a testament to God's love. Our interactions with others are not just about companionship but are opportunities to showcase the transformative power of God's love. When we live in a way that honors God, our relationships become a beacon of hope and faith to those around us. [15:39]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you could have better reflected Christ's love. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to glorify God?
Day 4: Intentional Investment in Godly Relationships
Building strong, godly relationships requires intentional investment. We must actively seek out and nurture friendships that encourage, challenge, and help us grow in our faith. This investment leads to a community that supports and strengthens us. By dedicating time and effort to these relationships, we create a network of support that is essential for our spiritual journey. These connections not only enrich our lives but also help us to become more Christ-like in our daily walk. [25:56]
"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one relationship that you feel God is calling you to invest more in. What practical steps can you take this week to nurture and strengthen this connection?
Day 5: Embracing Sacrificial Love and Forgiveness
Biblical relationships are characterized by sacrificial love and forgiveness. We are called to bear one another's burdens, serve selflessly, and extend grace as Christ has done for us. This reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of Christ. By embodying these principles, we create a community that mirrors the love and grace of Jesus, fostering an environment where healing and growth can flourish. [20:42]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you need to extend forgiveness or sacrificial love. How can you take a step towards embodying Christ's love in this situation today?
Quotes
"Relationships are a vital part of our spiritual walk. As a matter of fact, relationships are part of God's plan for humanity. If we look all the way back to the Garden of Eden, it was about relationship. If we look back to how God created us to live, it was in community. It wasn't in isolation. And we're going to talk about the power of relationships. And the truth is so evident that not only are our relationships with others so important, but we already know that our relationship with God is the foundation of all other relationships." [00:01:27]
"No, we were saved to live life abundantly with joy and expectation and excitement and to share that with others. We are free so that we can be in relationship with others and to share that joy with the people around us. This freedom that we have received from God encompasses every area of our life. It encompasses all of our past hurts, all of the past. All of the past relationships that might not have ended up as we thought they should have." [00:03:49]
"We know that we're being set free relationally from our past and in our current relationships whenever these signs are evident our perspective is being changed the way we see people and the way we see ourselves is being changed we're receiving encouragement from others and we're also being somebody that's giving encouragement we're somebody that's being challenged by somebody else in our life and we're also challenging somebody else we're not just being complacent in our relationships but we're being challenged to take a next step how are we growing and where are we going you know we we always talk about the G's at Bridge City Church we gather we grow we give and we go all for the glory of God those are next steps some of you right now you might need to be gathered into the kingdom of God some of you you may really need to start growing some of you you may need to start giving of your time and your talent your treasure you may need to be gathered into the kingdom of God some of you you may need to start giving of your talent your treasure others hey it's time to get going others hey it's time to get going others hey it's time to get going" [00:04:24]
"Jesus's response is is interesting obviously Jesus cared for Lazarus he's close with Lazarus he wants to obviously care but Jesus delays going to Bethany for two days we see this in John 11 verse 6 and he explains that Lazarus Lazarus's illness will glorify God this relationship this is the one that Jesus loves will this relationship is going to glorify God and I believe that that our relationships our friendships the the ones that we love the ones that we care for should ultimately glorify God we gather we grow we give and we go all for what the glory of God now Jesus's decision to go he tells the disciples that Lazarus has fallen asleep and must be awakened and listen I love the Bible the the disciples are a little bit confused they misunderstood and and Jesus needed to clarify they're like listen Lazarus is dead we need to go and we need to get our stuff and we need to go" [00:07:22]
"And Lazarus emerges from the tomb, still wrapped in burial clothes. And he instructs them. Catch this. He instructs them, the disciples, to take off the grave clothes and let him go. In John 11, 44. This moment where Jesus tells Lazarus to come out and he's raised from the dead, and then the disciples who... were confused, didn't know what was going to happen, didn't know what was going on. They then come in and they're told to go be the ones that unwrap him." [00:11:01]
"Jesus brings the power that we need for healing and then he used others the disciples to help Lazarus walk into who he was and his identity and his destiny to walk it out so wherever you're listening I'm encouraging you to get to one of our locations get to the website locate a group that's near you so that you can get around some others that are going to help you get set free from whatever you need unwrapped from whatever grave clothes you may be I'm trying to live in because Lazarus was brought back to life. He was brought back from the dead, but he couldn't walk along with grave clothes on." [00:11:50]
"Relationships are powerful. Remember, Jesus said, Lazarus's death and his illness will be used to glorify God. God, Jesus's promises are true. And what he says will happen in his timing. Mary and Martha wanted him to rush. He came in his timing and did exactly what was planned for God to get the glory. Listen, relationships, we can fight against them, we can go against them, but they're God's design. From the beginning, God designed us to be in relationship." [00:15:03]
"All the way back from Genesis, God said it's not good for man to be alone. The truth applies not only to marriage. It applies to all of us in every sense. It's not good for us to be alone. We get weird or more weird when we're alone. It's not good for us to be alone. Our horizontal relationships, our relationships and connections, we have with people are... around us our family our friends the church that we're a part of those are the the horizontal relationships in our in our lives they provide encouragement perspective change next steps challenges companionship and then we have our vertical relationship our relationship with god this is the foundation upon which every single relationship is built upon where we find our strength where everything overflows from this is how we love and serve others a biblical relationship is one that mirrors god's love and reflects his glory and we're not called to live for ourselves we're called to build one another up in faith and in love that's first thessalonians 5 11." [00:16:06]
"Biblical relationships they sharpen us proverbs 27 17 says as iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another listen in biblical relationships we challenge each other in growth and holiness we challenge ourselves in wisdom and love so that we can be more brothers and sisters so that we can be more brothers and sisters that we can be sharper, so that we can grow, so that we can help others grow how some ways to to sharpen others through accountability let your yes be yes and your no be no God uses relationships to keep us on the right path a friend in Christ will lovingly correct and guide us when we stray away there are people in my life that will not let me me stray because listen there's power when we're a part of the pack the herd the church encouragement in times of struggle listen biblical relationships provide comfort they remind us of God's promises Hebrews 10 24 through 25 encourage us encourages us to stir one and up one another up to challenge each other in love and good works to meet together regularly you to not stay separate but to be together there's a blessing in community true friends in Christ are not afraid to speak the truth in love and to point out each other's blind spots I have people in my life you should have people in your life that see differently than you their perspective is different so they see differently they can help you see differently relationships" [00:17:58]
"Biblical relationships reflect Christ's sacrificial love we are called to bear one another's burdens if you're hurting Someone else in your group is going to hurt with you, care with you, weep with you. Mary and Martha were weeping. Guess what Jesus did? He wept. He cared. We're called to serve one another selflessly, not for a return. I'm going to serve so that I can get something in return. No. No. We're called to serve selflessly. We're called to reflect the forgiveness and the... grace and the mercy of Jesus in people's lives. Just as God has forgiven us, we must forgive others. Colossians 3 .13." [00:20:25]
"Biblical relationships thrive when they're rooted in grace and humility, just like we're called to walk from Jesus. Listen, when we live this out, the world will see Christ in us and through us by the way we love one another. Not by the words that we say or preach or tell, by the way that we genuinely care. And then the question should be asked, what's different about you? And then you can share. It's called relational evangelism. I used to think, I'll never be an evangelist." [00:21:04]
"Relationships are used to strengthen, the church. Listen, the church is described as the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians. 12, 12 through 27, and each member plays a vital role, and no one's unnecessary. Every single person, every single tool in the toolbox is needed, and biblical relationships within the church foster unity, they foster strength, they strengthen our faith, and they equip us to serve God together. They challenge us, they give us a fresh perspective, they encourage us, and they help us to take our next step. There's unity in diversity. We are all different." [00:22:16]
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