Valuing Biblical Relationships: Holiness Through Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Strength of Community

In the beginning, God designed humanity for relationships, emphasizing the importance of community among believers. Within this community, individuals find strength, encouragement, and alignment with God's will. Isolation, on the other hand, can lead to vulnerability and temptation. Biblical relationships are essential for spiritual growth and maintaining a life that reflects God's desires. By surrounding ourselves with godly friends, mentors, and accountability partners, we can stay grounded in our faith and avoid the pitfalls of isolation. [01:14:39]

"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 provides you with spiritual encouragement and accountability? How can you strengthen these relationships this week?

Day 2: Empowered by Grace

The balance between law and grace is crucial in understanding our relationship with God. While the Old Testament law set a standard for righteousness, it is through Jesus and His grace that we are empowered to live according to God's standards. The law reveals what is right and wrong, but it is grace that transforms our hearts and gives us the desire to honor God. This empowerment allows us to live righteously, not out of fear of punishment, but from a genuine love for God and His ways. [01:18:19]

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept God's grace? How can embracing His grace change your perspective and actions today?

Day 3: Love Rooted in Truth

In all relationships, whether friendships, dating, or marriage, it is essential to ask if they honor God. The world often encourages us to pursue what feels good, but God's Word teaches that not everything that feels good is beneficial. Love, as defined by God, is pure, selfless, and rooted in truth. We are called to live in a way that pleases God, not just by abstaining from wrong actions but by maintaining a right heart before Him. This requires discernment and a commitment to living according to God's standards. [01:21:41]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Are there any relationships in your life that do not align with God's definition of love? What steps can you take to bring these relationships into alignment with His will?

Day 4: Pursuing Holiness

Sexual purity is not merely about following rules but about maintaining a heart that honors God. Sexual immorality can damage our relationship with God, and we are called to live holy lives, set apart from the world's standards. Purity involves saying yes to a deeper relationship with God and walking in holiness. It requires intentionality and a commitment to living according to God's design for our lives. [01:25:01]

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What boundaries can you establish to protect your purity and honor God in your relationships?

Day 5: Accountability and Boundaries

Establishing healthy boundaries and staying accountable to trusted mentors are crucial in maintaining godly relationships. Our highest goal in purity is not self-discipline but honoring God and protecting our relationship with Him. By setting boundaries and seeking accountability, we can safeguard our hearts and ensure that our actions align with God's will. This requires humility and a willingness to be vulnerable with others who can support and guide us in our spiritual journey. [01:35:37]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who can you trust to hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? How can you invite them into your life to help you maintain godly boundaries?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we delved into the theme of valuing biblical relationships, emphasizing the importance of godly friendships, mentorships, and accountability. We explored how these relationships should reflect God's will and not grieve His heart. From the very beginning, God designed humanity for relationship, and it is within the community of believers that we find strength and encouragement. Isolation can lead to vulnerability and temptation, but biblical relationships keep us aligned with God's will.

We discussed the balance between law and grace, understanding that while the Old Testament law set a standard, it is through Jesus and His grace that we are empowered to live righteously. The law showed us what was right and wrong, but it did not change the heart. Grace, however, empowers us to live by God's standards, not out of fear of punishment, but from a deep desire to honor God.

In our relationships, whether friendships, dating, or marriage, we must ask if they honor God. The world may say to do what feels good, but God's Word teaches us that not everything that feels good is beneficial. Love, as defined by God, is pure, selfless, and rooted in truth. We are called to live in a way that pleases God, not just abstaining from wrong actions but keeping a right heart before Him.

We also tackled the topic of sexual purity, emphasizing that it is not just about following rules but about maintaining a heart that honors God. Sexual immorality affects our relationship with God, and we are called to live holy lives, set apart from the world's standards. Purity is about saying yes to a deeper relationship with God and walking in holiness.

As we conduct our relationships, we must be mindful of what we watch, listen to, and who we associate with. Establishing healthy boundaries and staying accountable to trusted mentors are crucial. Our highest goal in purity is not self-discipline but honoring God and protecting our relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The Foundation of Relationships: God created us for relationships, and within the community of believers, we find strength and encouragement. Isolation can lead to vulnerability, but biblical relationships keep us aligned with God's will. [74:39]
2. Law and Grace: The Old Testament law set a standard, but it is through Jesus and His grace that we are empowered to live righteously. Grace doesn't remove God's standard but gives us the power and desire to live by it. [78:19]
3. Honoring God in Relationships: In all relationships, we must ask if they honor God. Love, as defined by God, is pure, selfless, and rooted in truth. We are called to live in a way that pleases God, not just abstaining from wrong actions but keeping a right heart before Him. [81:41]
4. Sexual Purity: Purity is not just about following rules but about maintaining a heart that honors God. Sexual immorality affects our relationship with God, and we are called to live holy lives, set apart from the world's standards. [85:01]
5. Accountability and Boundaries: Establishing healthy boundaries and staying accountable to trusted mentors are crucial in maintaining godly relationships. Our highest goal in purity is not self-discipline but honoring God and protecting our relationship with Him. [01:35:37]
** [95:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[74:39] - The Foundation of Relationships
[78:19] - Understanding Law and Grace
[81:41] - Honoring God in Relationships
[85:01] - The Call to Sexual Purity
[95:37] - Accountability and Boundaries
[109:12] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
[109:12] - Invitation for Personal Prayer
[109:12] - Conclusion and Fellowship Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Valuing Biblical Relationships

Bible Reading:

Genesis 2:18 - "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"
Romans 3:20-22 - "For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Observation Questions:

According to Genesis 2:18, why did God say it was not good for man to be alone? How does this relate to the importance of relationships? [01:14:39]
In Romans 3:20-22, what does Paul say about the purpose of the law and how we are made right with God? [01:18:19]
What does 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 say about the significance of our bodies and how we should treat them? [01:25:01]
How does the sermon describe the balance between law and grace in our relationships? [01:18:19]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the understanding that God created us for relationships impact the way we view isolation and community within the church? [01:14:39]
What does it mean to live by grace rather than by the law, and how does this affect our daily walk with God? [01:18:19]
How can the concept of honoring God in our relationships challenge the way we approach friendships, dating, and marriage? [01:21:41]
Why is sexual purity emphasized as a matter of the heart rather than just following rules, and how does this perspective influence our actions? [01:25:01]

Application Questions:

Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any that do not align with God's will? What steps can you take to address this? [01:21:41]
How can you actively seek out and maintain godly friendships and mentorships that encourage your faith? [01:14:39]
In what ways can you practice living by grace in your daily life, especially when faced with challenges or temptations? [01:18:19]
Consider your media consumption and social interactions. Are there any changes you need to make to ensure they honor God? [01:35:37]
What boundaries can you establish in your relationships to maintain purity and honor God? How can you communicate these boundaries effectively? [01:35:37]
Identify a trusted mentor or accountability partner. How can you strengthen this relationship to support your spiritual growth? [01:35:37]
How can you ensure that your actions and thoughts reflect a heart that desires to honor God above all else? [01:49:12]

Sermon Clips

In the beginning, God designed us for relationship. Just grab one little passage alone, it says, it is not good that man should be alone. And if we run into the very space where we are today, when there's a gathering together of a local assembly, a congregation of people, part of His church, it is a place where we can have relationship, one with another, those before us, those behind us, to our left and our right, I just kind of guess that you're not sitting amongst an enemy right now, but for relationship, you all come together on good terms today? [01:13:38] (47 seconds)

Okay, so isolation can lead to discouragement, vulnerability, temptation. Am I right in these? Biblical relations keep us strong in our faith and aligned to God's will. So I'm pretty sure that you would just say, pretty well up front, you'd agree with me, the importance to maintain good biblical relationships, yeah? I mean, you're not going to dispute me in this, are you? [01:14:38] (31 seconds)

The Law showed us God's standard. But when Jesus comes, New Testament starts, and His phrase or term called grace is introduced. And by Jesus, through grace, we are now empowered to live it. We're empowered to live by the commandments that God gave. So the Law set a standard. Jesus, through grace, empowers us to live it. [01:16:45] (31 seconds)

Centered around that there, coming out of that scripture, is speaking about devotion to God. God. So, grabbing a few summaries around this topic, I can say truly obedience comes from not fear of punishment, but from a deep desire to honor God and be devoted to Him. We don't avoid sin just because the Bible says no. [01:20:46] (34 seconds)

So, we've grabbed this little grace and law. Let's begin to apply it into biblical relationships. Biblical relationships, living to please God and not the world. In everything, friendships, dating, marriage, mentorship, we must ask, does this relationship honor God? Does this relationship honor God? That's four words, is it? One, two, five words, include this, the little one. [01:22:56] (40 seconds)

Now, the world says, if it feels good, just go and do it. Oh, yeah? If it feels good, do it. God's Word says, not everything that feels good is good for you. Is that what it says not everything that feels good is good for you now let us look at 1 Corinthians chapter 6. [01:24:39] (34 seconds)

So when we come to relationships there is the love factor uh-huh all right there's the love factor when we come into relationships and the world says love is whatever you want it to be God's word says love is pure selfless and rooted in truth 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a little passage there and we're speaking about love and you hear those words love suffers long and is kind it does not envy love does not parade itself it is not puffed up it does not behave rudely it does not seek out its own is not provoked thinks no evil verse 6 does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth and bears all things believes all things hopes for all things but it is embedded in truth truth so it's not necessarily whatever you want it to be it has it's defined and when we speak and come into love in relationships there's defined expectations defined remembering that under grace it's not greasy grace it's not just apply some grace and it's all going to be good no no but we come under Christ we are joined unto Christ and it is my desire and my passion my pursuit that whatever I would do however I would conduct myself that in no way would I give any space any space any space whatsoever that would bring me into a place of separation from my God and my savior and that I would always honor him all the days of my life so critical critical is how I conduct my relationships we're good are we good with that so challenge ask ourselves do my closest relationships in my life push me forward together with God or pull me away from him [01:26:49] (138 seconds)

Sexual sin is not necessarily just about breaking the rules but it's about offending God that's what it's that's what purity is not about abstaining from wrong actions it's about keeping a right heart before God sexual immorality you know whether it's lust or pornography or prematural sex or whatever space you want to throw into that space it's not just a personal issue but it affects our relationship with God one Corinthians let's read a little more scripture we were in one Corinthians six so if you're still there well done you're on the spot verse 18 is where we're going to start one Corinthians 6 18 and it says this new living translation it says run get your shoes on and scooter scooter run from sexual sin no other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does for sexual immorality is a sin against your own body throws it into a pretty pretty big category [01:30:32] (76 seconds)

Purity is not just about saying no to sin it's about saying yes to a deeper relationship with God it's saying yes to walking in holiness yes to reverence yes that I would never want to risk offending my Lord and my saviour why because that is where my true love is first and foremost [01:37:14] (26 seconds)

Right up front you know what you know when the best time to choose how you're going to conduct relationships in a godly way is before you start one that's the best time because you're actually emotionally removed from that relationship that will soon happen your relationship you're emotionally removed when you can actually think clearly and you are not just sort of like there with the stars [01:39:34] (28 seconds)

And number three little thought for you that's the three I have today stay accountable have trusted mentors that keep you on the right path path path path or path path thanks Mel yes right okay so some closing thoughts we're starting to get towards the summary Psalms 51 51 says this is this is our prayer this is to be our personal prayer this is how we want to live creating me a clean heart oh god and renew a right spirit within me creating me a clean heart oh god and renew a right spirit within me a key thought the highest goal to purity is not self -discipline it's honoring god and protecting our relationship with him christ our lord and savior and the presence of his spirit in and with us [01:40:19] (67 seconds)

So this this morning is we're really coming to the conclusion now some challenges some challenges as me and my Christian life and I believe in biblical relationships what are some challenges something I could challenge myself with this week here strengthen one godly relationship this week a friend or mentor or accountability partner what could you do this week that actively and intentionally goes about strengthening a relationship you have with someone perhaps it needs to be your spouse or with a sibling or with a work colleague or so what could you actively do let's let's talk about implementation people I value biblical relationships let's talk about implementation what could you purpose to do this week that intentionally contributes towards godly relationships with someone be greedy two or three you know it's always important to always commit to sexual purity as well in actions thoughts and boundaries and here's your third challenge ask yourself daily am I honouring God or offending him is this relationship honouring God or offending him I'm not meaning to say that someone that you've been speaking about and someone that you've been friendly with and you've been hanging out a little bit with and they don't know Jesus and you're going to go out tomorrow and cut that one out and cut that one out do you know what here's your gauge is that relationship taking you away from Jesus or in that relationship you're about Jesus' business if you're about Jesus' business and you are the leading one in that relationship you are the one giving the positive impact into that relationship then keep going bring them to Jesus but if that relationship is causing you to say oh I didn't make it to church the last three weeks so I haven't prayed I haven't read my Bible I don't need this anymore do I it's taking you away [01:43:00] (154 seconds)