Church Strong - Strong Relationships- 2

We are continuing last week’s topic on the importance of strong relationships in Church Strong! Today we will look at the benefits of building strong relationships. We cannot be strong on our own. We must do life with others in order to succeed. The world makes us think that we don’t need anyone and that we can do anything all by ourselves. But the truth is that life was created to live in strong relationships. The Trinity is our example of a very strong relationship. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit are three persons in perfect relationship being One God!

Proverbs 27:5–6 CEV

5 A truly good friend will openly correct you. 6 You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies.

Proverbs 27:17 CEV

17 Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.

Strong Relationships Help Us Change and Grow!

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m a legend in my own mind” ? This is meant as a joke but in fact it is reality. Everyone left alone, will think they are doing everything right. I often say if left alone, I can manifest all the nine gifts of the Spirit, but throw someone else in there and… well! But that is the main reason for building healthy, godly relationships. True friends won’t let us get away with the “stuff” we’ve always done. These friends correct us and sharpen us!

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 MEV

9 Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. 10 For if they fall, then one will help up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has no one to help him up. 11 Also if two lie down together, then they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm by himself? 12 And if someone might overpower another by himself, two together can withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Relationships are Better!

When you and I isolate ourselves and refuse to build relationships, life can be really tough. There is no one there to help in time of need or when you fail at something. You have an ally against an enemy that may want to destroy you. God knows that the hard times we face are so much better when we go together with people that we have relationships with than to go it alone!

Mark 6:6–13 MEV

6 And He was amazed because of their unbelief. Then He went to the surrounding villages, teaching. 7 He called to Him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff: no bag, no bread, and no money in their purse, 9 but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you depart from that place. 11 And whoever will not receive you or hear you, when you depart from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than for that city.” 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Two by Two - Relationship

Even when Jesus sent out the twelve they went out two by two. If they went out alone, they could have hit twelve cities but if there was trouble there would be no “back up”. You and I can never get to the point where we think we can do it all ourselves. Not even Jesus allowed His disciples to think that. Just a side not here, when Judas betrayed Jesus he went alone. Then when he was sorrowful for his actions, he died alone. I know that was all part of the plan for Jesus to die for us but what would have happened if Judas shared his “idea” with a friend like Peter or John or James. They would have done what all true friends do. Corrected him and sharpened him. But he went on his own!

Hebrews 10:23–25 AMP

23 So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. 24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

The Relationship Habit

I’ve read this portion many times over the years but looking at this through the eyes of our topic, relationships, it’s a little different. First of all the reason we come together at church is not so we can feel good that we went. The reason is about others. It’s so we can consider others, give attentive continuous care by watching over them and how we can love them. So what we don’t realize when we’re not in fellowship and building relationships is this, it affects others. People look forward to being with those of like mind because usually during the week we work and spend time with others who don’t believe like we believe. Some do, but not all. So they look forward to seeing the “family” in order to be encouraged, and strengthened. It’s not the message, though that is a part of the time together but it’s seeing others walk the walk during the week that is encouragement.

I also noticed a buzz word in this translation, the word habits. We want to create good, healthy, life giving habits and get rid of bad habits. This passage calls not assembling together a habit. There is always something else we could be doing but that doesn’t help ourselves and others when it comes to doing the things of God!

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Strong Relationships Build Strong Communities!

Strong relationships causes God to bring more people into the Church which in turn strengthens the community. The Church in Acts spent much time together. Don’t worry we are not asking you to sell every you have but it is super important to the future of Kohala that we create an atmosphere here at Overflow and out in the community of strong relationships. 55-595 Hawi Road is not the church. We are and our strong relationships as the church will impact Kohala, Hawaii and the world because God can work through a united church with strong relationships! Strong Relationships is Church Strong!