Relationships 101
Matthew 22:37-40
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Romans 12:18
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Colossians 3
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
Philippians 2
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
***WE APOLOGIES FOR THE INCONVENIENCE - THERE IS NO LIVE STREAMING OF THIS SUNDAYS SERVICE***
Relationships 101: What are the basics needed for the best relationships in your opinion? Some experts say that you need to be yourself, know that you can be comfortable and close, be BFF's, be more alike than different, feeling like a team, sharing, being "fundamentally good," trust or not having serious issues. This all comes from Berkley's Greater Good research.
When we apply Relationships 101 from the viewpoint of Jesus though, we get some different advice.
Philippians 2:5-11 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
The Apostle Paul begins giving advice for relationships by having the mindset of Jesus first and foremost. And, when we have this mindset, we start to show up differently in our relationships. It seems we become more humble, servant hearted, not seeking our own advantage, and ultimately seeking to be like Jesus in how we treat and interact with others.
How do we do this? We can try REALLY hard (which will work out some of the time, depending on how well we try, how rested and happy we are in the moment, or how much we like the person we are with).
Or, we can live and love others through Him, as we abide in Him and spend time with Him, becoming more like Him.
This Sunday, we will be returning to John 15, and Philippians 2, and learning more about our relationships, considering how all relationships started out for us when we began our lives, and how Jesus will help us live well with others while we are here on this earth.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Kari
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/10_pillars_of_a_strong_relationship
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Get to know each other more at NewDay! As we focus on relationships in our sermon series for the next couple of weeks, we wanted to offer some more opportunities for connection.
This is a perfect time if you are newer to NewDay, or would like to just spend more time visiting over a meal, letting your kiddos play together, or enjoying nature together. It's also a nice way to invite some friends to a low key event.
July 28th after church @ 12pm, pack a picnic lunch and head over to the Chester Woods Park, and swim, hang out, or walk some trails.
Tsigreda is a beautiful 24 year old young woman at Addis Ketema carepoint. Her nickname is "Chachi." Her father and mother are both living, as well as her grandmother. She has been very successful in school and is now at University pursuing a career. We'd love to see her connect with a sponsor during her last year or so at the carepoint.
Abenezer is 14 years old and lives with his mother. Abenezer is one of four children that she is supporting in her home. He's in the 4th level of Primary School and we know he'd love to have a sponsor to share letters and pictures with.
If you're interested in sponsoring Tsigereda or Abenezer, you can find their pictures at https://www.hopechest.org/carepoints/addis-ketema/ and click "Sponsor This Child."
Starting in August the 3rd Sundays Connection lunch after church @ the Workshop Food Hall.
Here are some upcoming dates:
August 18th meet @ 11:30am
September 22nd (not 3rd Sunday, due to Teen Challenge being @ NewDay September 15)
October 20th