What it takes

Principles of exclusive relationship

I.       Pursuing God

A.     Priority relationship

 (NKJV) Luke 14 25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

1.      No person more important than Christ

2.      Following Christ will negatively impact some relationships

3.      Must choose

B.     being with him

(NKJV) Luke 14 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

1.      Choose to be with Him

(NKJV) Mark 3 13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,

2.      Time

3.      Sharing

4.      Being

C.     Costs to consider

(NKJV) Luke 14 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.

1.      No longer my way

2.      It will cost me something

D.    SURRENDER rights

(NKJV) Luke 14 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

1.      Willing to lose everything

E.     Denying self

Luke 14 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

1.      Die – no longer my life

II.    Pursuing each other

A.     Priority relationship

1.      No one to interfere with relationship to Christ

2.      Children – second

3.      Friends – third

4.      Others of the opposite sex

B.     Being with him/her

C.     Costs to consider

D.    Surrendering rights

E.     Denying self

F.      

III. A relationship: Fireproofed

A.     Intentional action ( pyramid)

B.     Based on God’s love first

C.     Covenant commitment

D.    Marriage fundamentals

E.     Killing parasites

F.     Forgiveness

G.    Love

IV. My Commitment Men:

I  ________________________ commit to pursuing God with all my heart.

I commitment to pursuing you ________  above all people.

I vow to keep my covenant commitment to you for a lifetime.

I will seek with God’s help to fulfill my responsibility to you in marriage.

I will ask God to weed out any parasites that detract from our marriage of that siphon off energy that should be invested in you.

I will forgive you when you fail.

I will love you unconditionally – ministering to you as my first priority.

I will sacrifice myself and my own desires for your sake.

I will seek to provide for you and give you the security that you need.

My desire is for the two of us to serve God together the rest of our lives.

V.     Women:

I  ________________________ commit to pursuing God with all my heart.

I commitment to pursuing you ________  above all people.

I vow to keep my covenant commitment to you for a lifetime.

I will seek with God’s help to fulfill my responsibility to you in marriage.

I will ask God to weed out any parasites that detract from our marriage of that siphon off energy that should be invested in you.

I will forgive you when you fail.

I will love you unconditionally – ministering to you as my first priority.

I will follow you and your leadership in our home.

I will seek to honor and respect you and make you feel significant.

My desire is for the two of us to serve God together the rest of our lives.