Growing Relationships - Part 2 Series

Growing Relationships Part 2

We must Grow in our Relationships

How to Grow in relationship with God

Have faith

Confess sins

Obey Him

Part 2

How to Grow in relationship with God’s People

Consider one another

Meet with one another

Encourage one another

Failure to Grow is Evidence of a Lack of Relationship

Relationships are Costly…yet Rewarding

Introduction

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We were at Ignite Chicago yesterday.

Great music and great message to get out and go with the gospel of Jesus.

While there, there were a few college age kids in font of us. We got to talking about college and how easy it can be to be drawn into the college party scene.

One guys brother was a strong Christian and then went to college and really didn’t get connected with any other Christians or Christian organizations and got sucked into the party scene.

That did not happen to the guy I was talking to because he got hooked up with Intervarsity Christian fellowship and it really helped him to stay focused. The others there echoed that sentiment and even in their dating relationships, they saw how essential it was to be in relationship to other Christians.

Well, we are continuing our discussion on relationships this week as well.

Last week, in our study of Hebrews, we began talking about our relationship with God and how that needs to be growing.

We saw How

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We need to

have faith,

confess our sins, and

walk in obedience to Him.

To be in a growing relationship to God.

Well the author now tells us that to grow in our relationship with God, we need to grow in our relationship with God’s People and he even tells us

How we Grow in our Relationship with God’s People

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I cannot stress enough the importance of

how our relationship to God’s people affects our relationship to God.

It is through our relationship with God’s people that we show the reality of our relationship with God.

Jesus tells us in the gospel of John

John 13:35

35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

It is through

our love,

how we relate and love each other,

that the world will know that we are followers of Jesus.

John tells us in his first letter that it is through

our obedience and

our love for others

that we show what we truly believe about God.

1 John 3:10

Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Our relationship to others is so important that Jesus points it out when He was not even asked about it.

In Matthew 22:36-40

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

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."

So it is vital that we have a growing relationship with God’s people.

Now turn with me to Hebrews 10:19

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and let’s see how we can have that growing relationship with God’s people.

I am going to read again last week’s text to give us the context of today’s study.

Hebrews 10:19-39

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We are going to stop here and discuss this before moving on.

The first thing we see here about how we are going to be in a growing relationship with God’s people is that we need to

Consider One Another

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Hebrews 10:24

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (from New International Version)

Another version (NKJV)

Hebrews 10:24

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works