IT’S PERSONAL…BUT NOT COMPLICATED

Mother’s Day

Rebekah Clanton

Woodland Church

May 12, 2024

Trying to find a meaningful relationship in an impersonal environment.

Impersonal – Not influenced by showing or involving personal feelings.

When asked on social media and online dating sites how the relationship is going, the number one response is, “It’s complicated.”

1.  Relationship is foundational

God bonded to humanity before creating humanity

“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may have dominion (rule). So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27, NIV)

• Divine Plan – “let us make man”

• Divine Pattern – “in our likeness” (image)

• Divine Purpose – “let them be fruitful, multiply and have dominion”

   

2.  Relationship is vital

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”(Genesis 2:15 NIV

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.”(Genesis 2:18, NIV)

Relationships are built on interaction with God, spouse, family, and work

“No matter what you do, what your level is and in what organization or industry, relationships matter for your success, effectiveness, and personal reputation.  You simply cannot be an effective leader if you cannot effectively connect and relate to and influence other people.”  –Moe Sweidan, MSC -Consulting, Leadership and personal development specialist. 

3.  Relationship is vulnerability

“For God knows that WHEN you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5, ESV)

4.  Relationships are fragile

When relationships are broken, we immediately try to restore them or to replace them.

• God restores (Inclusion)

• Mankind replaces (Self-preservation)

   

See Genesis 4:2-6

5.  Relationship with God is personal

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” (Genesis 3:8-11, NIV)

6.  Relationship with God is restorable

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15, NLT)

• Trust First

   

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5, NLT)

• Spend Time

   

“As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16, ESV)

• Talk Incessantly

   

Incessantly: Without pause or interruption

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

• Tune In

   

“Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant…” (Isaiah 55:2-3, ESV)

“He walks ahead of them; and they follow him, for they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger but will run from him, for they don’t recognize his voice.”  (John 10:4-5, NLT)

Human relationships have limitations

Relationship with God:

• Is restorable

• Has no limitations

• Brings reward

   

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us-set us right with him- we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.  And that’s not all:  We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us.  We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide-open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)

GROWTHWORK

Monday:  Read Romans 5 in the Living Bible

Tuesday:  Read Romans 5 in the English Standard Version

Wednesday:  Read Romans 5 in the New International Version

Thursday:  Read Romans 5 in the Message

Friday:  Write a letter to God.  Make it personal but not complicated.