Thrive Through Changed Relationships

INTRODUCTION

Relationships- how we relate to the culture around us.

Samaritan Woman at Well

Our nation is going through a race crisis. It’s been going on since we became a nation.

Wewoka in the 1980's

-Started by a Creek freedman in 1840’s, later became capital of Seminole nation.

-1/3 white; 1/3 Native American; 1/3 African American

-Gang activity with drug dealing and guns.

-Paul Harvey called Wewoka “little Chicago”.

-Rap and Pop- not typical Country and Western of Oklahoma small towns.

-Lots of racism.

Salvation changes us from the inside out. We are made to live and see the world like Jesus. We are his hands and feet. Therefore, we must change the way we see those who are not like us.

READ James 2:1-7

James 2:1–7 ESV

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

PRAY

3 Relationship Qualities of a Changed Life

I. Judge Purely (1-4)

a. Love- opposite of Discrimination (1-4)

b. Tolerance has become the highest character trait. Shouldn't love be higher than tolerance?

c. Jesus' example- He didn't just tolerate the world- He loved the world enough to save it.

d. Zacchaeus- he showed love. Offered salvation

i. Luke 19:10

Luke 19:10 ESV

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

e. Act differently because of your love.

f. The Good Samaritan- he showed love to neighbor by helping and going above and beyond.

g. Discernment vs Discrimination

i. Discernment comes from godly wisdom.

ii. Discrimination is tainted by evil.

iii. Don’t interchange these words in order to excuse your discrimination.

II. Respect Equally (5)

a. Poor are heirs to the Kingdom of God. Equal before God and should be before each other.

b. Luke 6:20

Luke 6:20 ESV

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

c. Galatians 3:27-29

Galatians 3:27–29 ESV

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

III. Humility (6-7)/ Humble Completely

a. Stop trying to impress those who despise you and start loving those who need your love.

b. John 5- Healing invalid at pool of Bethsaida

i. These people were hopeless. Sitting by a pool with superstition but no one to even put them in the pool.

ii. These people were desperate.

iii. These people were selfish. – had to be first.

iv. These people were Entitled- blamed others (no one to put me in)

c. ILL- in Foster Care we met the hopeless, desperate, selfish and entitled.

i. These are the ones I used to judge. I saw this description as their problem, not mine.

ii. God slowly changed our perspective on these moms.

iii. Single moms with felonies trying to find a job that allows them to care for sick kids at a moments notice, during hours that work with school.

d. Who do you give attention to? Those who are the most like you or those who are different? Those who can help you in life/career or those who have absolutely nothing to offer?

e. Engage Church

i. Vision to reach those living in poverty who will never be able to support their self.

ii. Those in true poverty have two things going against them in being able to support a church.

1. Can’t pay a pastor

2. Can’t pay for property.

3. If you can’t set the goal of financial independence NAMB won’t support it.

iii. Therefore all new church starts are in middle to upper middle class neighborhoods.

iv. Reaching those in poverty is messy and not physically rewarding.

f. Matthew 25:31-40

Matthew 25:31–40 ESV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

CONCLUSION

Is God changing how you see those around you?

Poor- need Jesus- only hope

Rich- need Jesus- only hope.

We are all sinners who are hopeless without the saving grace of Jesus.