Series: Powerful, Practical, and Purposeful Living in This Present Time Part 3: Why We Need Better Relationships

Labor not luck

Why We Need Better Relationships Labor not luck Nehemiah 4:21 KJV So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Proverbs 18:24 KJV A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Why We Need Better Relationships Labor that last a lifetime 2 Peter 3:18 KJV But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Proverbs 17:17 KJV A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Acts 2:42 KJV And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Why We Need Better Relationships Labor that is life changing Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Why We Need Better Relationships Labor that is life changing Psalms 119:63 KJV I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Why We Need Better Relationships Labor of love Ruth 1:16 KJV And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Why We Need Better Relationships Encouragement not discouragement

Why We Need Better Relationships Encouragement not discouragement 1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Why We Need Better Relationships Desire to help each other, not just self needs to burn within us 1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Why We Need Better Relationships Understand just how much a personal helping hand can do 2 Timothy 1:16 KJV The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: Ephesians 6:4 KJV 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Why We Need Better Relationships We all need encouragement at times John 5:7 KJV The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Why We Need Better Relationships We all need encouragement at times Romans 15:1-3 KJV 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Why We Need Better Relationships Our encouragement helps both of us Proverbs 27:17 KJV 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Philippians 1:3-5 KJV 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Why We Need Better Relationships Zeal not indifference

Why We Need Better Relationships Zeal not indifference Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Why We Need Better Relationships “It takes two to tango” Jeremiah 3:10 KJV And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly [in pretense], saith the LORD.

Why We Need Better Relationships Indifference says, “I don’t care!” Acts 24:25 KJV 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Why We Need Better Relationships Indifference is not the way of true love, caring and friendship Romans 16:4 KJV 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Song of Songs 8:7 KJV 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Why We Need Better Relationships Zeal is contagious Colossians 4:12-13 KJV 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Why We Need Better Relationships 2 Corinthians 9:1-7 KJV 1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

Why We Need Better Relationships 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships What Paul is telling us... Good relationships are right thing to do – vs 1 Good relationships are noticed and even a cause for envy (provokes) – vs. 2 Good relationships need continual work – vs. 3 Good relationships protect in all ways- 4 Good relationships call for constant exhortation – 5 Good relationships don’t just happen (you have to invest in it) - 6

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Why We Need Better Relationships Do you want better more powerful relationships in your life – go after them Start today Start with the Lord Move to your family Move to your friends Move to strangers IT WORKS

Series: Powerful, Practical, and Purposeful Living in This Present Time Part 3: Why We Need Better Relationships