Part 1 – Recommitting to a Covenant Relationship Covenant Friendships Part 1 – Recommitting to a Covenant Relationship

What drew us to the church?

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A “Covenant” Friendship David and Jonathan A “Covenant” Friendship

Covenant: Legal contract, agreement, alliance, commitment, guarantee, bond, promise

1 Samuel 18:1-4 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.  From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.  Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

David Jonathan Shepherd, musician Not close to his brothers Not close to his dad? Was not a great father Inspired men, but did not always treat them well A loner (suited for Kingship!) Son of the King! Never alone! Always around people, soldiers, royalty Issues with his father as well Was a leader of men and a warrior himself Admired David! The initiator of the friendship!

Becoming a Christian YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP Becoming a Christian

The Challenge of Building New Relationships We say things like: “I don’t feel close to anyone” “We don’t love each other like we used to…” “I’m going to try to find a new group…” “I need to find someone that can relate to me…” “This is the culture of O.C.” YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP The Challenge of Building New Relationships

Man’s Best Friend

DOG’s CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP DOG’s CONTRIBUTION TO THE RELATIONSHIP

ARE YOU A LONER? OR AN INITIATOR?

How do we connect?

Discipleship GROUP!

Effectiveness can vary! Always on the phone, stepping outside Everything is “black and white”…no grace Watered down convictions Never feels “pulled in” Hogs all the time Never shows up Effectiveness can vary!

Discipling Relationships

Discipling Relationships

Discipling Relationships

Now What?

Romans 15:14  I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Covenant Relationships

Covenant Relationships Accountability Covenant Relationships

Covenant Relationships

Covenant Relationships

Covenant Relationships

Covenant Relationships

Convenient Relationships

Convenient Relationships Covenant Convenient Relationships

What keeps us disconnected? Work, Money Long Commute Family, Kids Soccer Practice Gym, exercise Midweek, Church “Orange County” Netflix, Facebook YouTube, TV, NFL Past Hurts Fear of conflict Personality quirks Passivity Hard hearted Indifference Criticalness Lack of openness What are the “voids” that need to be overcome?

SELFISHNESS

Proverbs 11:25  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Galatians 6:2  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Hebrews 6:10  God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Philippians 2:3-8 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

ACTION : REACTION 1 John 3:16  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 4:10-11 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

A Covenant Relationship Luke 22:20  In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” A Covenant Relationship