Jun. 04, 2023

Main Point: Real relational connectiveness is essential to godliness.

Living in the peace, joy, purpose and life of Jesus requires living

in a community of deep and meaningful relationships.

Point 1: Walking away from God breeds loneliness.

Being removed from the life of God means you are quietly desperate for life—and you are looking at people as a means to satisfy your need for life, which leads to dysfunction, like the use of people. Rather than relationships, you have points of contact from which you attempt to draw good feelings, motivation, encouragement, love, affirmation, significance.

The misuse of relationship leads to a soul-killing loneliness.

Point 2: Jesus is the source of relationship.

Jesus gave Himself for other people rather than using them.

Romans 5:8

The new nature you have been given is supernatural. You have radical grace and mercy and understanding.

The deceptive, lustful, and violent path may be the best shot the world has at life, but the believer has a new Father, a Redeemer and Sustainer.

Point 3: Walking with Jesus means having real relationships.

Ephesians 4:25-29

• Don’t hide your faults from people.
• When you hide your failures, you hide His grace.
• Don’t let anger control you.
• Stop looking at people as things to be used.
• See yourself as a source of good things for others.
• Don’t be abusive in your language.
• Be encouraging in your language.

James 5:16

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as

well as types of evil. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Parameters: confidentiality, refusal of easy fixes, commitment to listen and hear, and guarantee of acceptance (different from approval).

Questions:

The things I fear most are …………….

The things I am most eager for are …………….

The things I carry the most shame for are …………….

My primary struggle right now is …………….

The thing I would be/do if money and time were not an issue is ……………...