MBBC Sun. AM January 8th, 2006

GREAT RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS
“A new command I give you, love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13:24

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ god forgave you.” Eph. 4:32

I. VALUE RELATIONSHIPS ABOVE ALL
“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:31


II. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
“This is My commandment: that you love each other as much as I love you.” John 15:12

III. PUT OTHERS FIRST
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” Phil. 2:3-4

IV. IN THE SAME WAY YOU JUDGE OTHERS, YOU WILL BE JUDGED (Mathew 7:1-5)

V. THE GREATEST ARE THE SERVANTS
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12

VI. TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31


Principle #1: VALUE RELATIONSHIPS ABOVE ALL ELSE
Jesus taught that relationships deserve the highest of values. (Matt 22:37-40)

“Which is the greatest commandment?” That’s a values question. Jesus answered:

1. The Greatest Commandment: “Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment.”
2. 39“And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Valuing your relationship with God means…

1. Love Him with all your heart. Your heart is where Feel .

2. Love Him with all your mind. Your mind is where you Think .

3. Love Him with all your soul. Your soul is where you Decide .


Valuing your relationships with others means:

1. Asking: What’s worth my Time?

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

See - Luke 10:40-41

2. Asking: Who’s worth my Trust?

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

See - Matt. 10:29-31


JESUS VALUES RELATIONSHIPS!
Jesus places a high value on relationship with Him.

He died on the cross to make relationship with Him possible.
(John 15:13-14)

Jesus places a high value on the relationship of marriage.
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery.” Matthew 5:31

Jesus’ statements about MARRIAGE:
· “God made man and woman to be joined together permanently in marriage.”
Mark 10:6 (NIV)
· “Therefore a man is to leave his father and mother, and he and his wife are united so that they are no longer two, but one.” Mark 10:7-8 (TLB)
· “And no man may separate what God has joined together.” Mark 10:9 (TLB)

Jesus places a high value on our relationships as Christians.

“All people will know that you are My followers if you love each other.”

John 13:35 (NCV)
adapted from Tom Holladay