SF716 - PILLARS OF THE FAMILY COUNTING THE COST OF A LASTING RELATIONSHIP (Psalm 127 1)

Psalm 127:1

Introduction

God made us for Relationships

We want them to be meaningful, lasting, and fruitful

Relationships are costly (Luke 14:25-33)

There is a cost to be counted and a price to be paid for meaningful relationships.

Every relationship will be tested

There are three Pillars we must have..

1A. The Pillar of Commitment

1B. The Importance of the Commitment

“The most important thing in a relationship is security.” Gary Smalley

Commitment = to bind by a pledge or promise

Our wedding vows are a covenant.

(Matthew 19:4-6 NIV) ""Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' {5} and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? {6} So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.""

2B. The Implications of our Commitment

No matter what it takes, we are going to make it.

No matter how long it takes I am going to stay with it.

This is the same commitment Christ has made to us!

(Hebrews 13:5 NIV) "…God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""

3B. The Impact of our Commitment

Commitment to our covenant will keep you from giving up when your relationship is tested!

We must take our vows seriously!

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, and to cherish till death do us part; and to you I pledge my faithfulness.

2A. The Pillar of Communication

1B. Communication requires Commitment

Commitment is the foundation for communication

Ø This eliminates the fear of being rejected or betrayed.

2B. Communication involves Confession

Learn to share openly and honestly

(James 5:16 NIV) "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

To build a lasting relationship you must know each other.

3B. Communication insures Counseling

The best counselor you will ever have is your mate.

Ø No one should know you better or love you more.

4B. Communication includes Encouragement

(1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

(Hebrews 3:13 NIV) "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

Learn to be positive - check yourself

Ø Do you build up more than you tear down?

3A. The Pillar of Consecration

1B. The Call to Consecration (Luke 14:25-26)

Consecration = to set apart as holy; to devote oneself entirely.

We Must Love Jesus Supremely (26)

Ø Speaks of the priority of our relationship with Christ.

(Matthew 22:37 NIV) "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"

2B. The Cost of Consecration (27, 33)

Consecration requires complete surrender (27)

Ø We must die to self-will, self-way, and self-control.

(Romans 12:1-2 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Consecration requires total sacrifice (33)

Consecration is required for commitment and communication

Ø A casual relationship with the Lord will not produce lasting relationships with others

Application

Consecration

Are you fully committed to Christ as a disciple?

Do you love Him supremely?

Are you surrendered to Him completely?

Are you sacrificing your all to Him?

Commitment

I renew to you and before God our marriage covenant.

I will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to make our marriage work.

Communication

I will share with you my deepest needs, victories and sins.

I will trust you to help me because of your commitment to me.

I will encourage you with my words and actions.

PILLARS OF THE FAMILY: Counting the Cost of a Lasting Relationship
Fall Festival of the Family - October 24, 1997

Psalm 127:1

Introduction

1A. The Pillar of _______________________

1B. The __________________ of the Commitment

(Matthew 19:4-6 NIV) ""Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' {5} and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? {6} So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.""

2B. The ______________________ of our Commitment

(Hebrews 13:5 NIV) "…God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""

3B. The _________________ of our Commitment

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, and to cherish till death do us part; and to you I pledge my faithfulness.

2A. The Pillar of _____________________

1B. Communication requires _________________

2B. Communication involves _________________