Lemons of Relationships | When Life Gives You Lemons | Week 4
21 Day Fast August 31st - September 20th
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Big Idea : It is my responsibility to lean into the chaos of relationships and bring reconciliation
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
II Corinthians 5:18-19 NKJV
What God Says About Relationships
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - we are to build each other up
Colossians 3:13 - forgive each other as God forgave you
Hebrews 10:24-25 - Encourage (the act of giving someone support) each other towards good works
Ephesians 4:2-3 - be humble, gentle, patient and loving with each other
Exodus 20:12 - Honor (highly respect) your father and mother first command with a promise - a good life
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children Obey (comply with a command, direction or request) your parents
Ephesians 6:4 - do not provoke your children to anger
Matthew 5:24 - He will not accpet your gift until you are reconciled to an offended brother
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church
Ephesians 5:33 - Wives respect your husbands
Matthew 5:25 - Agree with your adversary quickly
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 - take the wrong in a disagreement
We can be right or we can be reconciled.
Jesus Leaned into the chaos of broken relationships and restored them.
Big Idea : It is my responsibility to lean into the chaos of relationships and bring reconciliation.
How we should act in relationships:
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP
““Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Romans 2:4 NKJV
Things that divide us:
- Unmet Expectations :
- Selfishness :
- Fear
Big Idea : It is my responsibility to lean into the chaos of relationships and bring reconciliation.
Overcome the things that divide us:
- Unmet Expectations : believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times] - 1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP
- Selfishness : It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured - 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP
- Fear : “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 ESV
Big Idea : It is my responsibility to lean into the chaos of relationships and bring reconciliation.
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
II Corinthians 5:18-19 NKJV
Steps to Reconcile:
Own your part
Go and ask forgiveness for your part
Ask them “How can we restore our relationship?”
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP