Breakthrough In Relationships Pt 3 Series

Transition Video: You’re Not Listening – Skit Guys!

Our Theme this year - Breakthrough 2020

Thesis: In 2020 we are looking for spiritual breakthroughs in our lives, our relationships, our souls, our families, our church, our school, and our community. This is our vision and prayer! But to get the desired breakthrough in these areas requires us to have 20 – 20 vision from the Lord. We need to see into the spiritual realm and learn how to use His weapons which will bring us the spiritual breakthroughs we seek.

Scripture Texts:

2 Corinthians 10:3-4: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Sermon 3: Breakthrough in Relationships

Thesis: With the inner guiding and power of the Holy Spirit we can learn how to get a breakthrough in bad or strained relationships. Breakthrough is possible in most relationships if we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us key relationship skills. God designed us all to be in relationship with Him and with each other and he will help us get breakthroughs in our relationships if we ask Him for help.

The Bible shares stories upon stories focusing on the importance of real relationships – 1st with God then 2nd with others!

Scripture Texts:

Acts 2:42-47 New International Version (NIV)

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Ephesians 3:16, NIV

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”

??Another NIV version words it this way – “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”

Introduction:

Quote Dr. Smalley: “LIFE IS RELATIONSHIPS; THE REST IS JUST DETAILS. THIS IS THE GREATEST TRUTH. EVERYTHING IN LIFE THAT TRULY MATTERS CAN BE BOILED DOWN TO RELATIONSHIPS.”

Dr.’s Les and Leslie Parrot from their book Relationships says this about our crucial subject: “Recently a pioneering band of researchers studied the age-old mystery of what people happy. Their answer is not what you might expect. What appears consistently at the top of the charts is not success, wealth, achievement, good looks, or any of those enviable assets. The clear winner is relationships. Close ones. Nothing reaches so deeply into the human personality, tugs so tightly, as relationships. Why? For one reason, it is only in the context of connection with others that our deepest needs can be met. Whether we like it or not, each of us has an unshakable dependence on others. It’s what philosopher John Donne was getting at when he said so succinctly, “No man is an island” We need camaraderie, affection, love. These are not options in life, or sentimental trimmings; they are part of our species survival kit. We need to belong” (Parrot page 11).

By the way this is why God created the Church – He created it for the development of Relationships – to verify this statement all you need to do is read the book of Acts read the OT and NT and it becomes crystal clear - the Church was established by Jesus to create connection with God and with each other – It’s all about relationships – Yes, it’s primary purpose of church - it is about developing deeper and more meaningful relationships with God and with each other. It’s about doing life together – helping each other - Fellowshipping with each other – connecting with each other.

T.S. - So, it’s imperative we cultivate healthy and whole relationships if we want breakthrough in 2020 – So here are a few ways you can improve the likelihood of having a breakthrough in your relationships in 2020 as modeled for us by Mr. Rogers.

Summary of Sermon 2 from last week!

1. You need to believe that people matter to God – that everyone is special.

* 1 Peter 1:22: Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.