Transforming Your Relationships Series

TRANSFORMATION #2: TRANSFORMING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

INTRO TO TOPIC: Two weeks ago we started a new series in the Sermon on the Mount, looking at the greatest message ever preached by Jesus.

OPENING TEXT:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matt. 7:24-27, NKJV).

• Jesus talks about, “hearing these sayings of mine and doing them.”

• What words? The Sermon on the Mount.

• If you want to experience a transformed life, we must build it on Jesus’ teaching!

THE BIG IDEA: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us wisdom for transforming our relationships from shallow and superficial to deep and meaningful.

TRANSFORMATION DEFINED: to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphosis; to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.

• Jesus wants to help us transform our relationships!

• If they’re bad, they can become good. If they’re already good, they can become better!

ILLUSTRATION: “Arrest Mistake”

A man was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy road. Suddenly the light turned yellow just in front of him. He does the right thing and stopped at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him." "I noticed the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, and the silver Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally I assumed you had stolen the car."

• Do you need a transformation in YOUR life?

THE GUIDELINES FOR LIVING A TRANSFORMED LIFE:

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:17-20).

• If we teach and do His commandments, we will be great in the Kingdom.

• FATHER ILLUSTRATION: As a father, I have rules for my kids because I love them.

• We don’t keep God’s commands to get God to love us.

• They are for our benefit, to help us transform our lives for the better!

1. FROM ANGER AND OFFENSE TO LOVE AND FORGIVENESS:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old: ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you (offense), leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will be no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.” (Matt. 5:21-26).