Designed for Relationship

Introduction

Sermon Intro

Sermon Intro

It was my first Sunday on staff as a youth minister, and I got the “easy” job of unlocking the church. I walked through the office doors, and the senior pastor said “hey Joh, I’ve got an easy job for you...” He then explained everything I needed to do.

Go down to the front doors.

Get the church key.

And unlock the doors.

Piece of cake, right?

So I went down to the front doors and… no key in sight.

Back up to the office: “Sorry, boss. No key.”

Pastor: “Look. It’s on the ledge right above the door.”

So I went back down the stairs.

And on the ledge was [hold up Allen wrench] this strange metal thing. I’d call it an “IKEA assembly tool.”

I later found out that these hex, or Allen, wrenches are called church keys.

So I had gone down the stairs to the front doors.

I had found the church key.

But wait, how do you unlock the doors with this?

You see, this key had been designed for a purpose. But I didn’t know it. I had no idea how to work it. So I sat there staring at the door for five minutes with no idea what to do.

Where is the keyhole? How do I unlock it?

And it’s not just physical doors or church keys that can be hard to understand. When we don’t understand the purpose of the church itself, we can show up, get involved, and still somehow miss out on what God has in store for us.

Well, that morning, I went back to the pastor, and he explained how the church key was designed to work.

But this morning, I want to invite you to go with me back to the Bible to discover how the church was designed to work—and how God designed you to be part of it.

Text Intro

We’ll find a picture of how God designed the church in the very beginning, in Genesis 2:18–24. Please turn there in your Bibles.

This is the story of Adam and Eve, but it’s also the foundation for what’s to come, including the church. Will you read along in Genesis 2, starting in verse 18?

Scripture

Genesis 2:18–24 NKJV

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You as our good Creator. You are the Maker of heaven, the Maker of earth, the Maker of each one of us. God, we humbly come before You this morning, seeking to understand Your Word and live according to Your will. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Recognize your role in God’s design (Gen 2:18)

Transition

We see here in this passage an important part of God’s design for the church. But in order to understand that, we must first understand God’s design for humanity. And it starts with the first man, Adam—and God’s design for him was relational.

Explanation of Genesis

In Genesis 1, in the six days, God was creating the heavens and the earth. We heard over and over again that God saw what He created and it was… good.

And on the final day, God saw all He had created and it was very… good.

So in Genesis 2, when we go from the big zoomed-out story of the creation of galaxies and the earth down to the personal story of God creating the first man, what are we expecting?

God looks at the man and sees that it is… not good!

How is that? Wasn’t everything that God created good? Well, just wait, God’s not done yet. God has paused along the way to teach us this lesson.

Look at verse 18:

Genesis 2:18 NKJV

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

God is telling us how we are designed. Adam was not designed to be alone. He was designed for relationship.

You are not designed to be alone. You are designed for relationship.

What we see as we keep reading is that humanity has been designed with the need for two types of relationship. We need one another, fellow humans. It’s built into our very design.

We also need God. Each person has been created in God’s image and likeness and can only find true fulfillment in relationship with God.

When Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbor, He is pointing to this very design. This isn’t just what we should do; it’s what we have been created, what we’ve been designed to do.

Bridge to the Church

So what is God’s design for the church? The word “church” in the Bible just means the “assembly” or the “gathering.”

The church as a gathering of God’s people is built with God’s design for humanity, for you, in mind. It is a gathering for relationship.

We gather to love God and to grow in our relationship with Him. We gather to love one another.

Sometimes people forget this design.

Sometimes we think of church as an optional add-on that we don’t really need as Christians. What really matters is just me and God. We think we can do the Christian life on our own. But is that true? Is it good that we should be alone?

No, that fundamentally misunderstands God’s design for the church, and God’s design for you.

Think about this: if it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone in a perfect, sinless garden, walking and talking with God directly… If it wasn’t good for him to be alone in that ideal situation, what about you in your situation? Is it good for you to be alone? No, you need others even more because you are living in a fallen world.

You need other people in your life to help you grow, to help you serve God, to give you encouragement, and sometimes challenge you. You need other believers in your life, and God has designed you like that on purpose.

And God has designed other people to need you as well. They need you to help them grow, help them serve God, they need encouragement from you, and sometimes they need you to challenge them. God has designed you to need others and to be needed by others.

And just as God has created the world, and just as God has created you, He also created the church: the gathered people of God, united in our deepest purpose—relationship with God and relationship with one another.

2. Invest in covenant relationships (Gen 2:23-24).

Transition

And since the church is built on God’s design for relationships, since it is built on our human need for relationships, this calls for action. It calls for us to invest in covenant relationships. We see that pictured here in Genesis with the first covenant relationship between two people, Adam and Eve.

Explanation of Genesis

Look with me at verse 23-24.

Genesis 2:23–24 NKJV

23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

If your picture of marriage is primarily the wedding ceremony, this might feel pretty incomplete. There is no dramatic music as all eyes turn towards the bride walking down the aisle, there is no mention of special outfits, no exchanging of rings, not even a single slice of cake.

Instead, we simply have this declaration: a man shall leave his parents and be joined to his wife. They shall become one flesh.

What’s pictured here is the true heart of marriage.

One man and one woman joined together as one.

A covenant in the Bible is a type of relationship established by commitment, with promises and responsibilities that flow from that relationship.

First, a covenant is more personal than a contract. Contracts are agreements with promises, but they tend to be impersonal, an exchange of goods or services. Biblical covenants are based on relationships and grounded in love.

But this relationship is more permanent than an ordinary relationship. Relationships can come and go throughout our lifetime, but covenant relationships are meant to be stable, secure, and permanent.

We see both of those on display here. What could be a more personal relationship than being joined together in one flesh? What could be more permanent than being joined together in one flesh?

Now in a fallen world, I understand that our lives are often touched by the results of God’s good standard not being met. There are times when we need encouragement from others to live with faithfulness in our marriage covenant. There are times when we need encouragement when our lives are damaged by broken covenants. That is one reason why we need to gather as a church, to help one another walk through the challenges of life.

Bridge to the Church

But the marriage covenant is more than just God’s expectation for how we live. It’s also a picture of the church.

We saw in Revelation where the church is described as the bride and where Christ’s return is seen as the wedding feast. Paul uses this same picture in Ephesians when he is explaining to husbands how they are to love their wives.

Ephesians 5:25–27 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

In Genesis we see the beautiful picture of the God-ordained marriage of a man and a woman. Throughout Scripture God uses this picture of marriage to describe His relationship with His people. And in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, we see the Groom who loves and cares for His bride—the church.

Application

You’ve been made for relationship, so invest in covenant relationships.

The most important covenant relationship is your covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. Christ has established this covenant by His blood through His death on the cross, and He invites all people into this covenant relationship. We enter into this covenant by grace through faith in Jesus, not by our own good works, but by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus.

But notice this relationship is not just Jesus and you. It’s Jesus and you all—it’s Jesus and the church. In fact, Jesus’ covenant relationship with you impacts how you relate to others. For husbands, it means to love their wives like Jesus loves the church. But this has no less impact on wives, on single people. All of us are called to love like Jesus has loved us.

3. Connect with others in Christ-centered community (Eph 4:15-16)

Transition

This is true for how we relate to one another within the church as well. We aren’t merely members of an organization. We aren’t consumers receiving a product that the church provides. No, we come together as one church in a covenant with Christ, and we relate to each other in that same type of covenant relationship. More personal than a contract, more permanent than a normal relationship.

Why? Because the church, like a marriage, involves joining together in one body. We see this in Ephesians 4:15–16. Paul has just said how we should not be spiritually immature, and he moves on to say what we should do in verse 15:

Ephesians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Explanation of Ephesians 4:15–16

This is similar to the picture of marriage. There it was one man and one woman forming one new body.

But here, it’s all the church united together as one body. Notice Jesus is the Head. He has authority over us and directs what we think and what we do.

But each believer serves as a part of the body.

This is why we call ourselves members of the church. Paul is talking about the parts, or “members,” of a body—like hands and feet.

And Paul is telling the believers in Ephesus, and us today, that every member, every part of the body matters. They are designed to work together in unity.

Illustration: Breakfast

Maybe you had breakfast this morning. How did that function? Your stomach gave signals that it was hungry, your eyes saw the food, your hands worked together to gather the food and moved it in toward your mouth, your mouth opened to let the food in, and then closed, and your jaw worked to eat. Once you swallowed, your body did lots of stuff behind the scenes to digest the food.

Now let me ask you, how many of you stopped and marveled at your last meal about the amazing, complicated process that was taking place? Anyone?

No, this is how God designed us, and we just take it for granted. But here in Ephesians, God is telling you that this is also how He has designed the church.

Application

So my encouragement to you is, make sure you are connected to the rest of the body. That’s how we are designed to function. When you become saved and enter into that covenant relationship with Jesus, He connects you with the rest of the body.

In order for the body, the church, to effectively work together, every member is needed.

In order for the body, the church, to grow, every member is needed.

In order for the body, the church, to be edified, that is, built up, every member is needed.

This means two things.

If you are not connected in a Christ-centered community a member of a church, you are missing something God designed to be essential to your spiritual growth. On your own, outside the body, you will never follow Christ, the Head of the body; you will never work effectively as the body of Christ, grow as the body of Christ, or be edified as the body of Christ. You simply cannot be a healthy part of the body of Christ on your own.

If you are not connected in a Christ-centered community, a local church, you will not do your part that God has designed you for in helping others. And that would be a great shame. Because you have been designed as a member of Christ’s body, and even if you can’t see it today, this body needs you.

So prioritize connecting with and staying connected to the body of Christ, the church.

Conclusion

Now we’ve seen God’s design in creation for humanity, for marriage, for the church. And quite honestly, it can be a lot to take in.

But it all comes down to this. The God who created you designed you for a purpose. And at the heart of that purpose is relationship. Relationship with Him, which can be found only through Jesus Christ. And relationship with others, with the church as the body of believers living out our purpose together.

Invitation (Communion)

Invite Servers forward.

At this time we are going to join together in communion. As we partake of the bread and the cup, we are reminded that all who believe are part of Christ’s body, united together in the new covenant because of His blood.

All who place their faith in Jesus are welcome to participate. But Scripture reminds us to examine ourselves as we come to the table. We’ll have a moment of silent prayer, and I encourage you to reflect on your role within the body of Christ. If you are convicted of sin, go to the Lord in repentance. If you feel the Spirit’s moving, listen to His voice. Will you join me in prayer?

Allow a time of silent prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. As we come to Your table, we confess our sin and know we are made right with You through the blood of Jesus. As we join together in communion, may we be united as one with our brothers and sisters who make up Your holy church.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Bread

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

At this time the servers will pass out the bread. Once everyone has received it, we will eat together.

Once all have been served:

Take, eat, in remembrance of Christ.

The Cup

1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

At this time the servers will pass out the cup. Once everyone has received it, we will drink together.

Once all have been served:

Take, drink, in remembrance of Christ.

Transition

Having shared in communion with Christ through His table, we are reminded of our communion with one another. Will you join me as we proclaim how through Jesus, We Are One in the Bond of Love. Will you stand as we sing?

Benediction

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. —Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve.

Sermon Notes & Further Study

1. Genesis Resources

Introduction to Genesis: https://www.havenfellowship.org/genesis/

Commentary Recommendations (works I found useful in preparing this series) https://www.havenfellowship.org/genesis-commentary-recommendations/

Reading Plan: https://www.havenfellowship.org/genesis-reading-plan/

Choosing a Bible Translation: https://www.havenfellowship.org/choosing-a-bible-translation/

2. References & Citations

Jay Sklar defines a covenant as more permanent than an ordinary relationship and more personal than a contract in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVrl0Jmyv6U

3. Additional Scriptures

The Church as the Body of Christ

Romans 12:5

1 Corinthians 12:13

Ephesians 1:22-23

Ephesians 4:12-16

Ephesians 5:30

Colossians 1:18

Colossians 3:15

4. From the Study: Questions the Passage Raises ✨

What does Ephesians say about church unity?

Unity functions as the overarching theological framework threading through the entire letter. Unity serves as Ephesians’ central theme, beginning in chapter 1 and continuing through the final chapter[1].

The letter develops this theme progressively across multiple scales. Paul begins with the broadest scope—God’s cosmic intention to bring all creation under Christ’s authority—then narrows to humanity, specifically the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into a unified people[1]. The focus then shifts to the church itself, which embodies this unity as a witness to God’s reconciling purpose[1]. The theme continues descending through family relationships, the basic social unit that strengthens the broader church community[1].

The letter’s central message can be summarized as “unity in the inaugurated new creation”[2]. Paul establishes this foundation by teaching extensively about the church’s unity as rooted in God’s eternal counsel and accomplished through Christ’s redemptive work, sealed by the Holy Spirit[2]. He then calls believers to practical expressions of this unity through “thoughts, words, and deeds” that embody “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”[2].

Rather than appearing as isolated topics, unity permeates Ephesians’ structure—from its theological foundation in chapters 1–3 to its ethical applications in chapters 4–6. Verses 4:1–16 specifically describe both the unity and diversity of the New Testament church[3], establishing the practical framework for maintaining this unity in concrete community life.

[1] John B. Polhill, Paul and His Letters (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999), 361. [2] S. M. Baugh, Ephesians, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 35. [3] Ralph W. Harris, ed., Galatians–Philemon, The Complete Biblical Library: Study Bible (WORDsearch, 2009), 133.

5. About Haven Fellowship Church

Haven Fellowship Church is a non-denominational, Bible-believing church in Conyers, Georgia where we experience the love of God, grow in His Word, and share His love with others.

https://havenfellowship.org/