5 Keys to Good Relationships Text: Philippians 2: 1-4
The basis of Christian unity is expressed in conditional clauses if, if, if. Anytime you read the word “ if” usually this conveys that an act of love or kindness could be reversed if the person behaves in a different way. For instants: if I walk around here with a frown or words of negativism my actions will affect you. It’s too easy to “ think only about your own affairs.” While God say’s, “ Be interested in others.”
I. Listen to verse 2 once more; fulfill my joy by being like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. # 1. Show interest in others!
A. One person said, “ People will never care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
B. # 2 Be cheerful! Phil. 2: 2a Fulfill my joy by being like minded, Listen to what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
C. Don’t be a person that dumps their problems and disappointments on others, if your not willing to carry the wheelbarrow! (Sometimes a person wonders why their friends won’t come to church, but if you could ask that person they would tell you “they have been listening to their friend talk and they don’t want anything to do with church because of that.”)
D. #3 Hold your tongue! Always say less than you think. Phil. 2: 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
E. Proverbs 29: 11 A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.
F. # 4. Honor your word! (If you say you will do it, do it!) Phil. 2: 4 Let each of you look out not only for his interest, but also for the interests of others.
G. Character is measured by action not words, so be someone whose words has meaning! Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
H. #5 Give those you love a push! Have you ever noticed what happens when you push a kid on a swing? They will start pumping and swinging themselves!
I. Job 29:24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it the light of my face was precious to them. (Those you really love you will always encourage them that they can do it!) Let’s pray.
