Upholding Biblical Truth In A Broken World Part 5 – Central Truths

Gtcotr/ss083125 

How many of you would like a new car or maybe a new pickup? 

Does anyone here want a new house? How about new furniture; new clothes; new shoes; or a new job?  

None of these desires are wrong. In fact, God created man with wants and desires for food, houses, clothes, friendships, and fun. Seeing something you want and pursuing it is a big part of living a godly life. The Psalmist David said, If a person delights themselves in the Lord, God will give them the desires of their heart. (Psalms 37:4) 

We are born to want the things we need to make life happy and healthy. Even a baby has the good sense to cry when their hungry, cold, uncomfortable, or afraid. The fact that we want is not the problem … and many times the problem is not even what we want. The problem most often lies in what a person is willing to do to get what they want. For example: Some people will do anything for money. The love of money … 

Wanting a new house, car or promotion is certainly not sin. However using slanderous insults or defamation of character, committing fraud, criminal trespass, lying under oath, assault, robbery, or murder as leverage to get what you want is sin. And, in the eyes of God and others, what you compromise to get will never truly satisfy. 

In this series on Upholding Biblical Truth in a Broken World, we have been taking a modern-day look at the Ten Commandments. God gave His Law to the Children of Israel through the prophet Moses about 3500 years ago and it has endured as Truth to all generations since. Some things are wrong, just because they are wrong … always have been and always will be. If we are going to uphold Biblical truth in this broken world, we first need to acknowledge the Bible as the standard of truth for our lives today.  

Galatians 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

When God wrote His law, He intended for it to be like a schoolteacher for the education of His children so they could be raised to live godly lives. He etched the curriculum on the flat surfaces of two stones. It was written by the finger of God. 

The first stone tablet contained the first 5 Commandments. The first 5 Commandments were aimed at teaching God’s Children how to treat God and how to treat their parents, who were positionally placed as  representatives of God. The second 5 Commandments gave instructions concerning how people are expected to treat one another. 

A modern-day overlay makes it easy to see God’s intent. The Law is the schoolteacher; the Bible is the curriculum; we are the students; life is the classroom; and every temptation is a test. This morning we are going to take a brief look at the second table of the law. Let’s turn to Exodus 20. 

Exodus 20 NLT 

13  “You must not murder. 

14  “You must not commit adultery. 

15  “You must not steal. 

16  “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. 

17  “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” 

The devil does not need to, and may not even want to control your whole life … he is just looking for one small area. If the devil can just get a small part of your mind, even just one area of your life, distort just one of God’s central truths, deception will grow, and you will become an agent of his will. The devil is looking for just one little corner of your mind … 

• · “I believe what the Apostle Paul has to say about everything except one thing he says about …” (women; marriage; money; sex; gifts)  
  
• · “Well I’ve never murdered anybody …” 
  
• · “At least I’m not committing adultery.” 
  
• · “You don’t know my parents (Husband/Wife/Boss/Teacher/Kids).” 

What about: 

• · Loving you neighbor? 
  
• · Unforgiveness; Bitterness; Hatred; Slander; Gossip; Vengeance? 
  
• · Financial Integrity; Moral and Ethical Standards of Life? 
  

James 2 NLT 

10  For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 

11  For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. 

12  So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 

13  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

We cannot make life decisions for others, and we are strongly cautioned by Jesus to not judge others. We are called to pray for those we believe are in error and if necessary, withdraw fellowship from them until they repent before God, not before us, and discontinue their ungodly behavior. 

What are some practical ways we can uphold the Central Truths of the Bible without judging others, breaking fellowship with friends and family or compromising our beliefs? 

• 1. Be merciful. 
  
• a. Not everyone is where you are in life and in your walk with Christ. Don’t expect others to be perfect – you weren’t! 
  
• b. Be merciful … don’t be mad and mean … you may not know everything. 
  
• 2. Be prayerful. 
  
• a. No doubt someone prayed or is praying right now for you. 
  
• b. Give God time to answer and room to work. 
  
• 3. Pass your test. 
  
• a. You may be affected by something that is simply not your test. 
  
• b. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you which part of the situation is your test, and which part belongs to someone else.  
  
• c. You can be merciful, encouraging, and pray for others … but you can’t take their test and pass it for them.

The Goodness of God

God is good…all the time; 

And all the time…God is good. 

We have all heard this phrase before in some way, form, or fashion. But I would say that this phrase is more than just a “saying.” Instead, it is the very foundation of our faith. God’s goodness is the reason we woke up this morning, it is the reason we made it to church today, it is the reason we have hope for tomorrow, and it is the reason we can face every season of life with confidence. 

The Bible tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” That means God’s goodness isn’t just an idea—it’s something we can experience, enjoy, and rely on every single day. 

Today, I want to remind you that God’s goodness is constant. It doesn’t rise and fall with the stock market, it doesn’t shift with the seasons of our life, and it doesn’t depend on how we feel. God is good because it’s who He is. And when we build our lives on His goodness, we find peace, strength, and joy that nothing else can give. 

We are going to take a look at 1 Peter 2:1-3 

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 

Peter was saying to: 

• - Put away the old way of life 
  
• - Like a new child, hunger for the things of God 
  
• - There is a caveat, “IF you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 

• 1. God is completely good 
  
• • He is not 1/2 good 
  
• • He is not mostly good 
  
• • He is not sometimes going 

• • God is always good because he is COMPLETELY GOOD 
  
• • That means that whatever happens in life, God is still good 
  
  James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
  
  
• • This text tells us a little about God 
  
  God is Infinite - He has no bounds or limits = You cannot measure or limit God’s goodness in your life 
  
  God is Immutable - He does not change = God’s goodness does not change or diminish 
  
  
• • God is infinite, unchangingly, and always good. That is who He is! 
  
• • God is good all by Himself 
  
• • He is so good that He cannot be bad 
  
• • He cannot be any more good 
  
• • Everything God does is good! 
  
  
• 2. God Demonstrated His Goodness 
  
• • Not only is God good, but He showed His goodness on the cross 
  
  Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
  
  
• • He demonstrated His goodness when He sent His own son to die on the cross for us 
  
• • Salvation is a picture of God’s goodness: 
  
• - Justice - Giving what is deserved 
  
• - Mercy - Not giving what is deserved 
  
• - Grace - Giving what is not deserved 
  
  
• 3. Respond to God’s Goodness 
  
• • Any and everything good in your life is because God has given it to you 
  
• • But God’s goodness is not meant to just be admired—it’s meant to be experienced and responded to. When we realize that every good thing in our lives comes from Him, it calls for action on our part. 

• 
  
• i) Gratitude 
  
• • Our first response should be thanksgiving. 
  
• • Psalm 107:1 - “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 
  
• • Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done. 
  
• • When you stop and look around, the breath in your lungs, the family you love, the church you’re part of—it’s all evidence of God’s goodness. 
  
  
• ii) Trust 
  
  
• iii) Obedience 

Takeaways 

• I. God has been good to you 
  
  
• II. His goodness will never cease in your life 
  
  
• III. You have a chance to respond

 

Upholding Biblical Truth In A Broken World Part 4 – Disorder In The Court

 Gtcotr/ss082425 

This morning we are continuing our series on Upholding Biblical Truth in a Broken World. Truth is objective but telling the truth is subjective … and listening to the truth is even more so. It seems no matter which news outlet I turn to; I’m offered their political slant or opinion biased commentary in conjunction with bits and pieces of the truth. It’s difficult to find the raw, unabridged truth these days.  

We live in a broken world fulfilling the prophecy that in the last days people would call sweet bitter, and call bitter sweet. The whole world system is upside down. If it wasn’t so dangerous and ungodly, it would be amusing. Watching the daily world affairs from various outlets is like watching a three-ring circus … you don’t really know where to look or when the clown car is going to explode. And it doesn’t just happen on TV or the inter-tube. 

When someone tries to explain the truth as they see it, they are limited by a few barriers. The first barrier is their actual knowledge and what they understand about the matter, a second is their perspective or opinion of that situation, and a third is simply what they are willing to share in either a conscious or an unconscious effort to color, support or protect the outcome.  

Perhaps this is the reason the Law of God which God gave through Moses required truth to be established only after it was heard by two witnesses and subsequently examined by an impartial judge. Leaving out any single element of this equation opens the process to abuse. 

Such was the case in the accusations against Jesus which led to His crucifixion. There were more than two witnesses, false witnesses of course, but the judges however were not impartial. When the outcome is predetermined, truth is pushed to the side.  

One of the ways we in America have tried to keep people honest is by introducing the Bible and/or adding a phrase to the end of the oath which is taken for witnesses and judges alike. I’m certain you’re familiar with this in some way. Allow me to show you what I mean. 

Note to Production: Disorder In The Court - 1936

https://youtu.be/LDiuHVH_1to?si=PDZ7hdmGzZPR-3eF

(Play from 3:16 to 4:45) 

Hand on the Bible swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This is how we in America have been invoking a sense of responsibility to tell the truth not only in the eyes of man but the truth in the eyes of God.  

Even George Washington used the Bible during his inauguration and then he kissed it after taking the oath of office as the first President of the United States. Presidents since the beginning of our nation have used the Bible and often an added phrase, “So help me God”, to seal their oaths.  

People often use the name of God or a verse from the Holy Scriptures in their attempt to prove what they are saying is the truth. Truth, as I said, is objective but telling the truth is subjective. When people want others to believe what they are saying is the truth, they often back it up with the notion that God supports their perspective as well.  

The Bible is like math in that a person can take numbers and prove almost anything. Outcomes are dependent on how and why a person is calculating the numbers. Mark Twain said, “There are three types of lies: lies, damn lies, and (then there are) statistics.” When I hear someone using numbers to support or prove something I get suspicious.  

For example: A drop in the crime rate of a certain area may be proven mathematically. However, if that city has also experienced a decrease in population, using other numbers may prove an increase in the crime rate. So which is it? An increase or a decrease? It depends on who is telling the story and what they are hoping to prove. Mathematics are often used to support a predetermined outcome. This is one reason we need all the data before we make up our minds as to the truth.  

Numbers can be argued to prove anything we want. Why not Simply give all the data and let the numbers speak for themselves. Much like we should do with the Bible. Cherry-picking scriptures to prove a point is pointless. It won’t change the truth … no matter how many people believe it. 

The real danger does not come from someone trying to prove their point on a personal level. The real danger is when a person tries to make others believe God agrees with them. At times, people just aren’t aware of conflicting scriptures that shine a different light on the matter. At other times opposing verses are either left out or discounted and pushed aside. Claiming God agrees with you when He doesn’t is a clear violation of the principles of God’s word … specifically the 3rd Commandment. 

And so we pick up where we left off in Part 3 of our series last week with: 

Exodus 20:7  “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.” 

Misusing the name of the LORD your God … in other words … using God for your own gain.  

How many times have you heard, “God told me …” and you can think of 10 scriptures in the Bible that have just been violated, and 3 principles of God that are being ignored, and the Holy Spirit is grieving you with a sound of tin in your ears, but you can’t challenge them because they said, “God said!” 

Or someone shares a scripture on social media and uses it, or misuses it, as a basis for justifying thought or behavior which you know is so off track with God. Well meaning, ignorant people often think it is ok for them to fashion a God who agrees with them and their sense of justice. In fact, I have heard many say they would not want to serve a God that felt differently than what they think is right. We were fashioned in God’s image, not the other way around … Commandment #2. 

There is a truth and the both the Bible, and the Holy Spirit support the truth. Biblical truth can be known and understood. The truth of God’s Word, God’s Will, and God’s Way does not need to hide from examination or make excuses why violations and compromises are ok.  

God will never ask a person to go outside of His word to accomplish His will. Not every voice in your head, in your heart, or in your history is the voice of God. And it doesn’t make things true when you put your hand on the Bible or swear by His name.  

Leviticus 19:12  “Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the LORD.” 

So … what’s the conclusion to today’s message? 

• 1. The Bible is true. 
  
• a. Accept no other version of truth. 
  
• b. Place your trust and your eternity in the Bible. 
  
• 2. This world is broken. 
  
• 3. We can help by speaking the Truth in love. 
  

The Law of Moses condemned people who failed. 

By Grace, the Gospel of Jesus Christ saves sinners and separates them from their sin. 

The Power of the Holy Spirit delivers and enables each Believer to live a life pleasing to God. 

God expects us to uphold Biblical Truth in this broken world. 

Speak the Truth in love.

A Work in Progress

Today we are going to be in the book of Philippians.  

Have you ever driven by a building that is under construction? When you first see it starting off it just looks like a big mess. You got scaffolding every where, unfinished walls, piles of dirt, and things just scattered everywhere! Not only that, but sometimes we say to ourselves, “when is this ever going to be finished?? On the outside it looks a bit crazy, but to the master builder, everything is going according to plan. He is not bothered by the mess. Why? Because the builder has the blueprint. The builder knows exactly what it is supposed to look like when it’s finished. What looks like a mess now will one day become a masterpiece.  

That is exactly how it feels in our life at times. We look at ourselves and see all the unfinished parts: our mistakes, our past, our struggles, our fears, we look at these things and think to ourselves, “I should be further along by now.”

However, while we see all of the mess, God sees the masterpiece; He sees the end result. Things may look crazy, but God is not bothered by the incomplete construction zones of our life. Why? Because God has the blueprint! He knows exactly what it is supposed to look like when it is finished. To God, everything is going according to plan. While we see the construction zone, God sees the completion.

Here is the cool part: no matter the situation, God does not leave any of His projects half-done. If He started something in you, He’s not walking away from it. 

Everyone here is in a process; every person here is a work in progress. We are all clay in the hands of the potter who is molding and changing our lives for the His glory. We are not who we used to be, and we are not yet who God is shaping us to be. 

This is the reason why Paul was able to write to the Philippians and say: 

Philippians 1:6 - “Being confident of this… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

Let’s zero in on the people of the Philippian church. Paul says that He was praying for them, and he said that we was thankful for them. Why? Because they had partnered with him in the gospel, while he was in prison. There were many people who turned their backs on Paul once he was placed in chains for Christ, but not the Philippians. They stood with him all the way through. Wow, those are some stand up people! However, they were far from perfect: 

• - Lydia a business woman 
  
• - Jailer who tried to take his life 
  
• - Slave girl who was demon possessed 
  
• - A mix of believers who were divided 
  
• - Those rich and of status looked down on others 
  

So they were far from perfect. But that didn’t phase Paul, nor did it phase God.  

Similarly, God is not phased at us when we are not perfect. It doesn’t bother him when you are still trying to figure it out and it seems to be taking you longer than others. Thank God! But why? The answer is found in the text. 

• 1. God Began the Work in You
  “He who began a good work in you…”
  
• • You are not the reason why you are a born again Christian- there is nothing you did to make salvation possible. 
  
• • God began the work of salvation for your life! 
  
• • The Atonement of Christ 
  
  
• 2. God is Still Working
  “…will carry it on…”
  
• • God is continually shaping us into Christ’s likeness, He is making us more like Him! 
  
• • The Philippians were growing—Paul prayed their love would abound more (Phil. 1:9). 
  
• • They faced internal conflict (Euodia & Syntyche in Phil. 4:2). 
  
• • They faced external pressure and persecution (Phil. 1:29–30). 

• • We too are not perfect, we make mistakes, but God knows what He is doing.  
  
• • We are all clay in the potter’s hand.  
  
• • You are not finished yet! God is using all of the situations and circumstances around you and is molding and shaping them for your good. 
  
  
• 3. God Will Finish the Work
  “…will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 
  
• • What He began, He will finish 
  
• • We may see a mess in our life, but God sees a masterpiece 
  
• • He is going to complete that masterpiece in our life as well. 
  
• • We will complete on the day of Jesus Christ 
  
• • The final result will be even better than the beginning. 
  

So realize that the construction zone areas of your life are not just a mess, they are a masterpiece in process. You have to allow God to have control in your life and trust Him by following His plan for your life, found in the Bible. 

Takeaways 

• 1. You are a work in progress 
  
  
• 2. God is right there with you 
  
  
• 3. God will finish what He started

Upholding Biblical Truth in a Broken World Part 3 – Framework for Living a Godly Life

Gtcotr/ss081725 

Life affords each one of us with instances which are simply Outside the envelope of our expectations. In my early 20’s I drove a police car each day and wrote traffic tickets. Today I tend to hold law enforcement officers to a higher standard than other drivers on the road. It makes me a little sad when I see a police car disobeying the traffic laws in a non-emergency situation. It can be as simple as failure to signal a turn or a lane change, speeding, or paying more attention to texting than to driving. I suppose I expect more from a professional than I do from others on the road. 

I get the same sad, almost bewildered feeling when I see a school coach smoking in front of their athletes, or a pilot in uniform drinking at a bar in the airport. I suppose if I went to nightclubs, I would be sad to see husbands or wives partying there without their spouses. As I said, there are some things which are simply outside the envelope of our expectations. 

Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the manual of laws governing our US Armed Forces, is entitled: “Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman”. This article addresses the high standards of moral and ethical behavior expected from a commissioned officer in the United States Military. A violation of the provisions of this article will result in a court martial which can carry heavy fines, a reduction in rank and/or forfeiture of pay, plus prison time, and even a dishonorable discharge.  

The article has been found to be constitutional based on the need America has to maintain military leaders who uphold the highest standards of moral and ethical integrity. In many instances, we all expect those in coveted positions to behave themselves in a wholesome and well-ordered manner. We tend to judge our leaders with more scrutiny. 

One of the most disappointing and sad instances we face in life is to see a Christian engaged in conduct that is unbecoming of Christ. (The way they feel about money, respect marriage, respond to politics, or even the way they drive, talk, or treat their children.) It’s not only us who feel sad when we see a Christian misbehaving, God feels sad too.  

I think this is one reason God gave His Children a framework for godly living. He also gave us a new nature and His own Spirit to help guide and enable us to make godly choices in life.  

This morning we are going to take a brief look at a passage of scripture that intimidates a lot of Christians, especially those who were raised in the Western Gentile Church world. This passage comes from the Old Testament and was written in the times of Moses. It is found in the Book of Exodus, chapter 20. Many of you will recognize it as The 10 Commandments. This morning we will refer to them as the: 

Framework for Living a Godly Life 

Exodus 20 NLT 

1 ¶  Then God gave the people all these instructions: 

2  “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 

3  “You must not have any other god but me. 

4  “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 

5  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 

6  But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. 

The framework for living a godly life includes: 

• 1. A recognition of God. 
  
• a. Creator 
  
• b. Deliverer 
  
• c. Sustainer 
  
• d. Lord 
  
• e. Judge 
  
• 2. “You must not have any other God but Me.” 

• a. No other gods will be tolerated. 
  
• i. Not the Greek gods. 
  
• ii. Not the gods of Hinduism. 
  
• iii. Not the gods of the ancient eastern religions. 
  
• iv. Not aliens or prophets, not demons or satan himself. 
  
• v. Not the gods of mother nature or mother earth or scientific research or re-written history. 
  
• b. Allow nothing and no one to take God’s place. 
  
• i. He is the Creator – Not evolution 
  
• 1. We didn’t come from monkeys 
  
• 2. We were created by the hands of God. 
  
• 3. Upholding Biblical Truth in a Broken World … 
  
• a. It’s been about 6,000 years since Adam. 
  
• b. What happened before Adam, no human knows. 
  
• ii. He is the Deliverer – He is the One and only One who saves. 
  
• 1. Only He can separate the sin from the sinner. 
  
• 2. Only He can rescue us from slavery to this world. 
  
• iii. He is the Sustainer of the universe – All things were made by Him and by Him all things continue. 
  
• iv. He is Lord – Master, Commander, King. 
  
• 1. We should never expect to be treated better than Jesus. 
  
• 2. We should follow His example. 
  
• v. He is the Eternal Judge – Omnipotent and Everlasting 
  
• 1. Not all roads lead to heaven. 
  
• 2. Not all religions are true. 
  
• 3. Not all gods are God. 
  
• 4. Upholding Biblical Truth in a Broken World. 
  
• 3. God is a jealous God. 
  
• a. What we do impacts our families for generations to come. 
  
• b. God lavishes unfailing love on a thousand generations of those who love and live within His framework. 
  

It should not surprise us that as Christians we are held to a higher standard of ethical and moral behavior by both God and society. Our families have a reason to expect more from us. I don’t imagine any one of us is perfect and when we recognize conduct unbecoming a follower of Christ in our lives, it is up to us to repent and ask God to help us recover ourselves from that snare of the devil. 

God loves us. He loves every person. His Word was not given to condemn us but to save us.  

As Believers in Jesus, we should search the word and embrace strong personal convictions based on a Biblical worldview. Also, our faith should guide our lives and help us make godly decisions along life’s way.  

It is also responsibility of each Believer to gently and humbly encourage other Believers to uphold Biblical truth in this broken world. You can do this … Paul admonished Timothy to: 

2 Timothy 2 NLT 

25  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 

26  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

ENTRUSTED PART IV - ENTRUSTED WITH RELATIONSHIPS

Recap: 

• • God has entrusted to us that which He considers valuable 
  
• • Entrust = To assign the responsibility of something valuable to someone in confidence. 
  
• • In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), we learned: 
  
• i. God owns everything. 
  
• ii. We are stewards of what He has given. 
  
• iii. God expects a return. 
  
• iv. What we do with what we’ve been given matters. 
  
• • In Part 1, we saw that God has entrusted us with the greatest message in the world — the Gospel. We steward it by preaching it, living it, and preserving it. 
  
• • In Part 2, we saw that God has entrusted us with influence. Influence is not about having a platform — it’s about being faithful where you are and pointing people to Jesus. 
  
• • In part 3 we discussed how God has entrusted money to us.  
  
• • The Bible talks about money as a heart issue.  
  
• • The Bible speaks more about money than faith, heaven, or hell because how we view and use money reveals what we value most. 
  
• • What we have is what God has given us 
  
• • Money is meant to be our servant and not our master. 
  
• • The greatest return on investment comes from using resources for God’s Kingdom, which pays eternal dividends. 

Entrusted with Relationships 

Intro 

In 2011, when Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, passed away, his sister Mona Simpson wrote a eulogy about his final days. She described that although Steve had built one of the most successful companies in the world, created revolutionary products, and accumulated incredible wealth, none of that was what mattered to him in the end. 

As his health declined, what he wanted most was not his business achievements, trophies, or money. He wanted the people in his life that mattered most. Mona described how Steve was surrounded by his family in those last hours — his children, his wife, his sister. He wanted them close. His last words were simple but profound: “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” He was looking at his family gathered around him. 

It wasn’t about the empire he built or the fortune he made. In those final moments, what mattered most to him was being with the people he loved. 

That tells us something: at the end of the day when it is all said and done, relationships are what matter most. Not possessions. Not achievements. Not what is in our bank accounts. But, people. 

If what is most important at the end of our lives are relationships; then that tells us what is most important right now. People are the most valuable asset that we have in this life. 

Relationships are one of the most precious gifts God has entrusted to us. They are essential to life. God Himself is a relational being. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit work together and commune together as one. Relationships are a reflection of who God is; it is a precious gift. 

Knowing that they are a gift from God, we must know that God has given us relationships with a purpose. Therefore, we must learn to handle them the way God intended. 

So today, we’re going to talk about how to manage relationships God’s way. 

To do that we are going to take a look at what Jesus said to His disciples about relationships in Matthew 22. When Jesus was asked the greatest commandment, He didn’t point to rules and regulations, He pointed to relationships. 

Matthew 22:37-40 

“37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”” 

Jesus reveals what is most important to God by wrapping up all 613 commandments into just two: 1) to love God with all of your heart, and 2) to love your neighbor as yourself. Simply put, He says to love God and to love people. Both of these have to do with relationships. In other words, all 613 commandments in the Old Testament are wrapped up in how we treat God and how we treat other people. Clearly, relationships are important to God.  

Why are relationships so important? 

• A. Because God is relational by nature 
  
• • From the very beginning, God has always existed in relationship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
  
• • Genesis 1:26 “ –Let us make man in our image…” The Trinity shows us that God Himself is community. 
  
• • Since we are made in His image, we were created to thrive in relationships. 
  
  
• B. Because people are God’s most valuable creation 
  
• • Out of everything God made, only humans were said to be made in His image (Genesis 1:27). 
  
• • That means every person has intrinsic worth and carries His fingerprint. 
  
• • When we love people, we are honoring the image of God in them. 
  

Jesus says that we are to love God with all of our heart. First, God wants us to love Him. Our relationship with God is important! Why? 

• 1. God loves you 
  
• • God desires for us to love Him because He loves us. 

• • God’s love for your is not based on your performance— His love is not based on what you do but because of who you are. 
  
• • Psalm 103:11 — “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him” 
  
• • When you understand how much God loves you, it changes the way you see ourselves— and in turn how you treat others. 
  
  
• 2. God loves the people in your life as much as He loves you 
  
• • While God does love you, He loves the people in your life just as much as He loves you. 
  
• • Your family, your friends, your enemies, your coworkers, God loves all of them. 
  
• • Sometimes we forget that the person we are frustrated with, the person we really don’t like, is someone that Jesus died for. God loves them just as much. 
  
• • The people in your life are very important to God. 
  
  
• 3. God cares about how you treat other people 
  
• • Matthew 7:12 “ –So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
  
• • How we treat other people is very important to God 
  
• • Your words, actions, and attitude toward others are a direct reflection of your faith
  
• • Jesus connects how you treat people with how you treat Him (Matthew 25:40)
  
• • Our love toward others is the true evidence of discipleship (John 13:34-35). Our love for others is the proof of our faith.
  
• • The Pharisees were experts in religion, but they missed it when it came to loving other people. We can read the Bible everyday, go to every church service, know every word to the worship songs that we sing, but if all of that doesn’t translate kindness and love toward others, then we have missed the heart of God.
  
• • We need God to soften our hearts toward the people in our life that are hard to love. Because how we love others is a direct reflection of how much of God’s love is within us.

• • How you treat your spouse matters. How you treat your kids matters. How you treat your coworkers matters. How you treat your church family matters. It all matters greatly to God— maybe even more than we realize!! 
  

So how do we value people the way that God does? 

• 1. Investing in People 
  
• • Proverbs 27:17 “ –As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 
  
• • Spend time with the people in your life 
  
• • Relationships are paid for with time, attention, and care 
  
  
• 2. Encouraging People 
  
• • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “ –Encourage one another and build each other up.” 
  
• • Build people up! Build your spouse up! Build your children up! Build your friends up! Build your co-workers up! We have to build people up! 
  
• • When people fall short in your life, don’t write them off and tear them down. Instead, build them up! 
  
• • What you magnify in someone’s life is all you will see and all they will see. Don’t make people focus on their weaknesses. Instead, build people up! 
  
  
• 3. Checking In on People 
  
• • Philippians 2:4 “ –Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” 
  
• • When someone is on your heart, reach out to them. Check in on them. 
  
• • Sometimes people just need to know that someone else really cares. 
  
• • Checking in opens up doors for ministry that doesn’t always happen in church 
  
• • Checking in on people prevents them from being isolated 
  
• • Don’t wait until there is a crisis, check in now 
  
  
• 4. Be There for People 

• • Romans 12:15 — “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” 
  
• • Being there for people doesn’t always mean having the right answers. Instead, it simply means showing up. 
  
• • Your presence is powerful 
  
• • People may forget your words, they may forget your conversations, but they will never forget that you showed up. 
  
• • When we show up for people, we are reflected Christ in our life (Emmanuel = God with us)

Takeaways: 

• I. Relationships are one of God’s greatest gifts and greatest responsibilities 
  
  
• II. How you treat people reveals how much of God is in you 
  
  
• III. People may forget your your words, but they’ll never forget how you treat them