Notes from today’s sermon 08.02.09 Steven Hedgecoth

Connecting The Dots Of Relationships

Hebrews 10:19-25 NASB

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

· We can only see the picture if we connect the dots.

· The world has the ‘all about me’ philosophy. If I get what I want then I really don’t care about you.

· The truth is that it is all about relationships-everything is about connecting.

· If we don’t know how to deal with relationships then we end up alone.

· There is a town called Cordova, Alaska that has no roads in or out. You have to fly there. No roads – no connectivity seriously limits what you can do.

There are two types of knowledge:

1. Revealed – dropped in by God

2. Learned – through study

Good books on relationships:

1. Boundaries

2. Five Love Languages

· It is easier to love God than your neighbor.

· Through Hebrews 10:19 we learn that the Holy Place is now with us at all times, because of Jesus’ blood. We can now walk in confidence.

· Before Jesus the Holy Place was a single place. That was the old way.

In Hebrews 10:24

· us-all of us

· consider-discover – there are hidden treasures in good relationships

· how to is a learning process – all relationships are a learning process

· the discovery of a relationship is a process that takes time

· stimulate – motivate, provoke, stir up, to sharpen along side, stir in love and good deeds not in the flesh, this is a spiritual thing, learn how to sharpen one another

· not forsaking – not giving up on

· If I must be the leader then we can’t walk together and sharpen each other.

· One problem we have today is pastors who stand in the pulpit, but will not walk along side others to sharpen and be sharpened.

· The story of Jesus coming to die for us demonstrates this. He couldn’t do that from the throne. He had to choose to come walk among us.

· I thank God for those who disagree with me because they sharpen me.

· Relationships are based on habit. If I break the habit then it becomes uncomfortable to get back into it.

The relationship will bring:

1. Focus – to the big picture, which is God’s love John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

2. Fortitude – Growth

Pipes

There are pipes where clean water flows in and pipes where waste flows out. If the people you are around are always flowing waste out of them and into you then we become full of that poison. We need to be able to be around people who are pumping clean water into us. If you need to get rid of some waste then do it and pray over it and move on. Don’t take it into yourself. James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

· The world only sees the dots

· If you are all dammed up, try connecting.

· Dare to connect again if you have been hurt.

· The most important connection is Jesus but we need each other, too.