“ENERGIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS”

Prayer: Almighty God, We are immediate-thinkers instead of ultimate-thinkers, and we seldom see through the fog into the future. But You, O Lord, know the beginning from the end. Teach us to live our lives in the light of eternity, and to make our daily choices as those who possess everlasting life. Remind us that all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not from You, but from the world which is passing away. Teach us, Lord, that even decisions about purchases, friends, habits, and hobbies may have eternal consequences. Make us ultimate-thinkers, O, Lord, and may we eagerly await and hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Focal Text: (NRSV) 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice.

12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice.

Introduction:

Pepper Rogers writes, “A few years back I was in the middle of a terrible season as the football coach at UCLA. It even got so bad that it upset my home life.

My dog was my only friend. So I told my wife that a man needs at least two friends, and she bought me another dog.” God does not want us to be lonely.

Cooperating with others has advantages. Cooperation leads on to rewarding life, both for the individual and for the neighbor. Life is designed not for isolation, but companionship; not for loneliness, but intimacy. Some people prefer isolation because they feel they cannot trust anyone. We are not here on earth to serve ourselves, however, but to serve God and others. Don’t isolate yourself from others and “go it alone”. Seek companionship and be a team member.

● Our nights are longer than our days.

● Our lesson will give us the BOOST we need to finish this year strong in our Faith, Finances, Families, and Fitness. ● God wants YOU to energize (to activate)your relationships.

Faith, Finances, Families, and Fitness. ● God wants YOU to energize your relationships.

Big Idea: God wants us to have healthy relationships.

I. We Mistake Presence For Purpose. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? Presence(Being Present with others in a place) Purpose(Why you do Something)

Two travelers camping out, or even staying in the courtyard of a public inn, would feel the cold of the Palestinian night and need one another’s warmth for comfort. The only way to be “warm alone” is to carry extra blankets and add to your load. A friend is someone who you can depend on.

They give emotional comfort to each other. The warmth of lying beside each other does not refer to sexual activity, nor are the two necessarily husband and wife. It is an image derived from that of travelers who must lie beside each other to stay warm on cold desert nights. But the usage is here metaphorical for emotional comfort against the coldness of the world.

Illustration: I RAN into a lady whom I knew but hadn’t seen in an extended period of time. I asked her, “How far along are you?” referring to an apparent pregnancy.

On the highway to heaven, God wants you to travel down a high occupancy vehicle lane and He wants to be the other person in the car. On the highway to heaven, He wants there to be an intimate, meaningful connectedness or fellowship between you and Him as you are on your way to glory. He wants you to enjoy the trip. He doesn’t want you to despise the journey.

She said, “I’m not pregnant.”

That was one of my more embarrassing moments. Sometimes things look like they are happening, when really, there is not much going on.

You can can go to church and look the part. You can look spiritually pregnant when there’s really nothing on the inside going on. A Christian is not known by how well they act the part. They aren’t known by how well they act the part. They aren’t known by how well they shout or how much they know or how often they are seen carrying Bible under their arms. A Christian is not known by how much they say “hallelujah” or “amen” or “praise the Lord.” A Christian is not known by how much “Christian-ese” they know or how big their smile is. We know Christians because they have faith in Jesus Christ and because they love others.

A. Warmth is not connection. B. Passion is not purpose.(Why you do Something) C. Comfort is not cohesion.

Big Idea: God wants us to have healthy relationships.

I. We Mistake Presence For Purpose

II. Wholeness Must Precede Intimacy And Commitment. 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Wholeness(healthy relationships)

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves” (v. 12, NIV). A friend is someone who will defend you. It was dangerous for anyone to travel alone, day or night; most people traveled in groups for fellowship and for safety. Even David was grateful for a friend who stepped in and saved the king’s life ().

They give each other protection; for that, in fact, a third friend is even better!

The New American Commentary: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs 12. On Friendship (4:9–12)

they give each other protection; for that, in fact, a third friend is even better!

Illustration:ANTHILLS are made when a bunch of insignificant creatures get together. If you ever mistakenly step on an anthill without shoes, their fellowship will make an impact on you. One ant bite might sting a little. Most folks can handle that. But if a person messes with the whole family in an anthill, those ants will gather around your foot and serve notice that you are unwelcome in their house.

One ant can’t create that kind of impact by itself. Gathered together, their combined effect is much greater. Not only do they ward off intruders together, they will also work together to rebuild in a day and a half what was destroyed. A. Be happy and whole by yourself, before you add others to the equation.

B. Don’t treat your relationships like items on a checklist. C. Plan for your future, but let God plan the future of your relationships.

Big Idea: God wants us to have healthy relationships.

I. We Mistake Presence For Purpose

II. Wholeness Must Precede Intimacy And Commitment.

III. Authentic Connection Comes From Transparency And Vulnerability. 13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king, who will no longer take advice.

The youth is “better” than an old but foolish king in that he knows how to “take warning.” He is aware of both danger and opportunity as he moves up the political ladder. The king, however, is entrenched, immobile, and out of touch with changing circumstances. He has become vulnerable despite his power and foolish despite his age. The irony here is that contrary to traditional thinking, neither age nor might insures wisdom and success.

Position, popularity, and prestige are poor goals for a life’s work. Although many pursue them, they are shadows without substance. Many people seek recognition for their accomplishments; but people are fickle, changing quickly and easily. How much better to seek God’s approval. His love never changes.

Illustration: A LITTLE boy tripped and fell outside and one of his hands fell in the mud. His mother said to him,”Go wash your hands.”

He went in the bathroom and came out a few minutes later. He now had two dirty hands. His mother said,”I thought I told you to wash your hands!”

He said, “I did. I took my clean hand and wiped my dirty hand.”

The dirt rubs off. If you want to be clean, hang out with clean folks.

A. Don’t write emotional checks you cannot cash!

B. Be what you want to attract and model the love you expect to receive.

C. When people show you who they are, believe them.

D. Get enamored with loving yourself more than the experience of being loved by others.

Big Idea: God wants us to have healthy relationships.

In conclusion: Two friends are invaluable, but three are priceless. To have a friend we must be a friend, and nothing can compare to the joy and strength of the unbroken cords of friendship. How might you energize your relationships to create healthier connections with the people in your life? We believe in the power of prayer. Which relationships in your life need energizing?

One of the ways used these days to cut down on traffic is the creation and use of HOV lanes-lanes for high occupancy vehicles, which are vehicles with more than one person in them, The idea is to discourage so many cars with only one passenger. This means that if you are not alone in your car, you can travel down an HOV lane and you will get there faster because you are not slowed down by a lot of individual vehicles to the same location. This is like driving down the highway in-fellowshipping on your way to work.

2. This is your list! List them below and let’s petition God together for change and transformation.

One of the ways used these days to cut down on traffic is the creation and use of HOV lanes-lanes for high occupancy vehicles, which are vehicles with more than one person in them, The idea is to discourage so many cars with only one passenger. This means that if you are not alone in your car, you can travel down an HOV lane and you will get there faster because you are not slowed down by a lot of individual vehicles to the same location. This is like driving down the highway in-fellowshipping on your way to work.

On the highway to heaven, God wants you to travel down a high occupancy vehicle lane and He wants to be the other person in the car. On the highway to heaven, He wants there to be an intimate, meaningful connectedness or fellowship between you and Him as you are on your way to glory. He wants you to enjoy the trip. He doesn’t want you to despise the journey.

The proper goal of the Christian is not an individualistic heaven but is to be found in right relationship with God, neighbor, and God’s world now and in the future, which will include by god’s grace a future stretching beyond death.

Big Idea: God wants us to have healthy relationships.