What Is Your Relationship Status

What is Your Relationship Status? John 17:1-5

Thursday, September 20, 2018

6:14 PM

Relationships are an interesting thing. Sometimes we are simplistic when we think of the status of relationships. I was looking the other day out of curiosity as I was preparing for this message at Facebook's relationship status updates. I was shocked at the options listed.

SingleIn a relationshipEngagedMarriedIn a civil unionIn a domestic partnershipIn an open relationshipIt's ComplicatedSeparatedDivorcedWidowed

The Bible is full of all types of examples of relationships, With principles and guidelines for relationshipsAll leading up to the greatest and most important relationship we can have -

The Relationship with JESUS CHRIST

Jesus in His 'High Priestly Prayer' prays before He goes to the cross

John 17:3 (KJV)

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

and He explains the truth of salvation.

It is not a position, but a relationship. It is based on Knowing -

Now that word "KNOW" is a tricky word -

It's Not Knowing ABOUT HIM - IT'S ABOUT KNOWING HIM

There are many people who know a lot about Jesus.

They have been raised in church or around church. They know the basics that he was born in a manger that he died on a cross, all of those things

But the language here is not to KNOW ABOUT GOD AND JESUS CHRIST - BUT TO KNOW GOD

Listen to the exclusive language here -

Know you as "THE ONLY TRUE GOD AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM THOU HAST SENT"

I remember when I stood before Brother's Sam Lorton and John Preston and my brother several years ago and they asked me a question -

"Will you take this Woman….Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

I gladly responded, "I will."

When I said that "I WILL" I was saying "I WON'T" To every other one. It was exclusive - it was a choice for her and her only "So long as we both shall live."

That is the kind of knowing - the kind of relationship that God is wanting to have with us.

The banquet hall was filled. To speak for the occasion, a renowned orator had been brought in. After a wonderful meal, he mesmerized the crowd with his voice as he recited poetry and famous selections of speeches.

Near the end of the program, he asked if anyone had a favorite selection that they would like for him to recite. From the back of the room, an old man stood up and kindly asked if he would mind reciting the 23rd Psalm. The speaker said that he would be glad to do it if, when he was finished, the old man would recite it as well. The old gentleman nodded his head and sat back down.

In a beautifully trained voice that resonated throughout the great room, the speaker began, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…” When he was finished, there was thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

He then looked at the old man and said, “All right sir, it is your turn now.”

In a trembling voice that was cracked by time, the old man began to recite, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” It is said that when he was finished, there was no applause, but neither was there a dry eye in the building.

After the event, someone asked the famous speaker what he thought produced the different responses in the crowd. The speaker paused, thought for a moment and said, “I know the 23rd Psalm, but that man knows the shepherd. That makes all the difference.”

It's Not KNOWING AS A SERVANT BUT AS A FAMILY

In many places the relationship is as a FATHER AND A SON -

It's wonderful to think of yourself as a CHLD of the KING

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 2 Corinthians 6:18 And [I] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Or my Favorite:

Galatians 4:4-6 King James Version (KJV) 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

In other places it is seen as a marital relationship. This is especially true when God was speaking of the relationship he wanted with His people in the Old Testament.

Hosea 2:20 (KJV)

20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

A relationship based on love - A love that obeys

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It's a beautiful picture. The sun had risen on the Sea of Tiberias. Several me had toiled through the night trying to catch a few fish to give sustinence, perhaps make a little money. Their efforts were in vain. It was morning and there was nothing in the nets.

Someone standing on the sea shore calls out to them? Children have you any meat? Did you catch anything.

I remember going fishing with my dad sometimes and often someone would come by and ask? How's the fishing?

No good the men call back - No not a thing.

The man on the shore hollers back - "Cast your net on the right side of the boat."

They obeyed and before they could fully comprehend what was happening the net was filled to overflowing. 153 of the biggest and nicest fish a fisherman could ever dream of catching.

That's when John the beloved knew - he looked at Peter his fishing buddy and said - "I know who that is Peter - That is the LORD - IT's HIM"

When they came to land there was the man who had a nice fire going, with fish and bread ready to eat.

I love how the Bible says, none of them had to ask who it was - they knew it was the Lord.

As they finished eating and were sitting around the fire sharing stories of the night and seeing Jesus all sharing their experiences of when it dawned on them who was standing on the shore

The Bible doesn't say, but I imagine Peter somewhat off to the side by himself thinking and for once being quiet and reflective.

That's when Jesus comes and sets down beside him and begins to talk to him. The Bible gives us the inside scoop on that conversation.

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Now there is an entire sermon series in that passage - but what I want to deal with this morning - Is the fact that Peter was the one who denied Jesus. Remember that he cursed, he swore, he used expletives trying to convince those all around that night that he did not know, had never known would never know that man in there on trial.

He and Jesus were separated. Can you imagine if our Relationship Status with Jesus was as public as our current culture makes theirs on social media

How would that look - "In a relationship with Jesus Christ - It's Complicated - It's Separated"

But now things were different. Peter and Jesus had met Peter had repented, had been converted

Now he is saying "LORD I LOVE YOU" "YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU"

How about you - we may not be able to go to your hearts profile and check on your relationship status with God - but the Holy Spirit can -

How is it with you? Perhaps something has gotten in the way come between maybe it's complicated

Perhaps you have done something and you feel as though it's separated?

Maybe you can look up to heaven and say "IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST" I pray you can

If you can't do that this morning - I want you to know it can change before you leave here this morning.

Facebook relationship status updates can be changed at anytime -

I'm glad this relationship can too - you can go from being an enemy of God to a Son in a second.

You can go from being alienated from God to being Adopted in a moment of time

Do you need to change your status update?

I want to give you time to do that - it's not hard - JUST ASK

John 17:3 (KJV)

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.