NEW RULES FOR LOVE, SEX, AND DATING Series: Relationships

Chemistry + Compatibility + Commitment + God = Two Who Are One

The Point:. When we follow God’s Rules,. there will be success in male The Point: When we follow God’s Rules, there will be success in male and female relationships.

I. We Must Avoid “The Right Person MYTH.”   “When I have unbelievable CHEMISTRY, I have found my soul mate…everything will be good.” When I find the right person, everything will be fine.

We must concentrate on BECOMING the RIGHT PERSON not FINDING… We must build “God’s Behavior” into our lives… I Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is PATIENT…Does not pressure the other person Love is KIND…Considerate / Constructive Ideas Love does not ENVY…Jealous/Competitive

Love is not PROUD… Boastful/ ”Cherish ideas of its own importance” (Phillips) Love has GOOD MANNERS… Does not dishonor others or act indecently

Love is Not SELFISH… Servant’s Heart Love is not TOUCHY… Not easily angered Love is not REVENGEFUL… Forgiving

Love is not NEGATIVE of others…Positive Attitude Love focuses on TRUTH… The Will of God

Question: “Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for Question: “Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for?” You can’t marry the RIGHT person until you BECOME the right person.

2. Resist the “FAIRY TALE” syndrome of childhood 2. Resist the “FAIRY TALE” syndrome of childhood. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. I Corinthians 13:11 NIV

In Children’s Movie (Caldarella, Little Mermaid, Frozen, Aladdin) you find the right person and live happily ever after. The “Fairy Tale” syndrome skips “becoming the right person.”

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” I Corinthians 13:11 Make up your mind to build God’s Rules into your life.

3. “The PRESENT will be your. PAST which will be PRESENT. in 3. “The PRESENT will be your PAST which will be PRESENT in your FUTURE.”   What you’re doing now will follow you through life.

Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke. Proverbs 1:29-30 NIV

They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them… Proverbs 1:31-32 NIV

4. Practice Jesus “NEW COMMAND” in John 13:34,35 4. Practice Jesus “NEW COMMAND” in John 13:34,35. A new command I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 NKJV

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 NKJV In Jesus day this gave women hope.  

5. Follow New Testament Commands for Relationships PURITY It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans…

Who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.

The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. I Thessalonians 4:2-8 NIV

MUTUAL SUBMISSION Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ MUTUAL SUBMISSION Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 NIV

The PROTECTION Factor Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Ephesians 5:22-23

The deep inner conviction in the heart of the woman that God is in Sovereign control of her life and that God would not allow anything to happen to her that would destroy His purpose for your life.

The RESPECT Factor Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25 NIV

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives,

And treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

ACTION POINT:   Are you willing to set aside your desires, follow God’s rules, and become successful?

NEXT WEEK: FIXING BAD BLOOD