Authentic Relationships Chapter 6 Adapted from: Authentic Relationships discover the lost art of “One Anothering” By Wayne Jacobsen and Clay Jacobsen

Part 2 - Opening the Door Chapter 6 - Sharing God’s Kindness NIV Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another NIV Hebrews 13:16b share with others Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless Mother Teresa

Kindness in a Selfish Age NKJ Matthew 24:12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. In a culture where most people are looking out for number one, random acts of kindness stand out as brightly as a lighthouse on a moonless night “What is in it for you?” they ask with the look of mistrust in their eyes when you offer to help for no reason Kind actions, though often quick and easy to accomplish, can echo as eternally as kind words When you walk through your day focused on others, you will be amazed at the opportunities you might otherwise miss

Kindness in a Selfish Age (cont.) Give directions to somebody who looks lost Help a neighbor working in the yard Offer to watch a friend’s child while they are in the hospital Stay and help clean up after a home group meeting Let someone step in front of you in line Deliver a cold drink to a Dominion Power lineman Thank a military person for defending our country

Breaking the Cycle Showing kindness, even when offended, breaks the grudge cycle! NKJ Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice NKJ 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. NKJ Matthew 5:23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Breaking the Cycle (cont.) NKJ Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Breaking the Cycle (cont.) NKJ Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Living in Generosity We must view our possessions in a new light Nothing we own is really ours Everything belongs to God Trusting God to supply our needs frees us to share with others we encounter along the way Institutional ways of helping those in need always break down Personally helping those God has placed in our path does not As we discover how generous God is with us, we will find the joy of being generous to others

Living in Generosity (cont.) NKJ 1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? NKJ James 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,Nothing we own is really ours 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? NKJ Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

You did it for Me NKJ Matthew 25:35 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

You did it for Me According to Jesus our acts of kindness and sharing reveal the depth of our relationship with Him Those growing to know Jesus will find themselves giving to others the same way he gives to them Our life in Jesus is demonstrated by our compassion for people in need Jesus’ compassion is contagious Once we have experienced it from His hand, there is no way we can hold it to ourselves

One Anothering Loving one another (John 13:34) Forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32) Accepting one another (Romans 15:7) Bearing with one another (Ephesians 4:2) Being devoted to one another (Romans 12:10) Honoring one another above ourselves (Romans 12:10) Greeting one another (2 Corinthians 13:12) Being hospitable to one another (1Peter 4:9) Being kind and compassionate to one another (Eph. 4:32) Sharing with one another (Hebrews 13:16)

Homework Read Part 2, Chapters 7 & 8 Lightening the Load Cheerleading “Pray the Word” Daily

Pray the Word (1Thessalonians 3:12,13) Lord make us increase and abound in love to one another and to all so that You may establish our hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.

Discussion Questions Turn to page 76

For Additional Resources Wayne Jacobsen Lifestream http://www.lifestream.org