#441 See Yourself Here Series# 4, Jesus Is Highly Relational

See Yourself Here Sermon #4, Jesus Is Highly Relational
By: D. Karl Thomas

(Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page)

John 1:38-39 “Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” … “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day…”

#WorstFirstDates
He went to the bathroom, was gone for really long time, then texted me, “You should just call an Uber.”

He told me he wanted to take me to one of his favourite places, so I dressed up. It was Bass Pro Shop.

At the end of the night he leaned in for a kiss and said, “Don’t be concerned if my tooth falls out.”

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.ʼ” helper:— (ezer) strong help comparable:— (kenegdo) as in front of him; perfect match, same nature.

Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

John 17:23 “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

Ephesians 4:16 NLT “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

Ephesians 3:9-10 “God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,”

For over 75 years, Harvard’s Grant and Glueck study has tracked the physical and emotional well-being of two populations: 456 poor men growing up in Boston from 1939 to 2014 (the Grant Study), and 268 male graduates from Harvard’s classes of 1939-1944 (the Glueck study).

The conclusion? According to Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one thing surpasses all the rest in terms of importance:
“The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.“

Many people think that Christianity is a belief system, but it’s really a belong system.
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

59 One Another Commands In New Testament. 21 Involve “Love.”John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

1 Peter 3:8 “Love one another deeply, from the heart.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 “…if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.

African Proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”

Dr Dean Ornish — Ornish Lifestyle Medicine “Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, … People who feel lonely and isolated have a 300-500 percent greater risk of premature death due to physical illness.”

Impact people are committed to living in authentic community.
You cannot fulfill the purpose for God outside of community. You can know God without community and get to heaven without community, but you can’t manifest God’s fullness.

Hebrews 10:21-25 NLT 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Connecting Is Mandatory!
1. Together We Approach “…let us go right in to the presence of God…” vs.22
Revelation 5:9 “…your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Acts 20:20 “…how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,”
ILLUS …. Had a dream Mike and I went to heaven … he looks like me … no like me … no … Then the Father came out to greet us and he said: “ Buenos Dias Compeneruos … Mi casa Sou Casa

2. Together We Stand vs. 23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,”
Holding on is a group activity!!! Hold on to each other as we hold on to the promises.
He is FAITHFUL!!! ILLUS… Beau… would never give up the ball playing catch

3. Together We Act   vs 24 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Join me in… Help me with… This has worked for me…
ILLUS …RANKER … List of top annoying pet peeves Top five Annoying Things
#5 talk in movies    #4 cutting in lines    #3 People who don’t pick up after dog
#2 People who drive slow in fast lane   #1 guys who don’t wash hands when pee in public restroom … how do I get out?

Real relationship are good and messy.
Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Countenance (paw-neem’) :— face, before and behind, toward, in front of, forward
a. How You Look b. How You Look At Things c. How You Look At Things Ahead

4. Together We Remain vs.25 “…let us not neglect our meeting together…”
Social media is NOT real human interaction. It’s edited!!! How many of you have secretly unfollowed me?

BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY:
1. Everyone is welcome. — Your background doesn’t matter.
2. Nobody is perfect. — Bring a Bible and your problems.
3. Anything is possible. — Simon can become Peter.

See Yourself Here Series 4, Jesus Is Highly Relational, Sermon notes to print, PDF

See Your Self Here Series 4, Jesus Is Highly Relational, PowerPoint Slides, PDF