S = SUPPORT Series - RELATIONSHIP RESCUE - Part 1 - Pastor Chuck Bernal - 04-

12-15______________________________________________

WHY THIS MESSAGE SERIES IS RELEVANT & IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US

Reason 1: We live our lives in the context of ____________________________

Reason 2: Our relationships __________________ every other part of our lives

PRINCIPLES THAT UNDERGIRD THIS ENTIRE MESSAGE SERIES

Principle 1: We are all “hard wired” for ________________________________

The Lord God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone . . . (Genesis 2:18 – LB)

Principle 2: _________________ & _______________ are never God’s intention

God is a father to orphans, and he takes care of widows. God provides homes for those who are lonely. He frees people from prison and makes them happy.

(Psalm 68:5-6– ERV)

Principle 3: We cannot fulfill God’s __________________________ on our own

You must love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength . . . and love others as much as you love yourself. No other commandment is more important than these. (Mark 12:30-31 – CEV)

Principle 4: Therefore, we really do __________________________ each other

We belong to each other and each of us needs all the others.(Romans 12:5 - NLT)

GIVING SUPPORT – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. (Charles Dickens)

SUPPORT - To bear all or part of the weight of; hold up. To sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or

affliction.Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way you will follow Christ’s

teachings.(Galatians 6:2 – GWT)

Two people are better than one . . . if one person falls, the other person can reach out to help. But those who are alone when they fall have no one to help them.  If two people sleep together, they will be warm. But a person sleeping alone will not be warm.  An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together—it is very hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – ETRV)

We must support each other __________________________________________

If you judge   other people , then you will find that you, too, are being judged.  Indeed, you will be judged by the very standards to which you hold other people. Why is it that you see the dust in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but you can’t see what is in your own eye?  Don’t ignore the wooden plank in your eye, while you criticize the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eyelashes. That type of criticism and judgment is a sham! Remove the plank from your own eye, and then perhaps you will be able to see clearly how to help your brother flush out his sawdust. (Matthew 7:1-5 – Voice)

Don’t let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 – Voice)

APPLICATION 1: Never _______________________________

We must support each other __________________________________________If a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing . . . Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless.  (James 2:14-16 – ETRV)

APPLICATION 2: Always _______________________________

We must support each other __________________________________________

So let’s not allow ourselves to get tired or fatigued in doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us . . . (Galatians 6:9-10 – Msg)

APPLICATION 3: Don’t _______________________________Reason 1: We live our lives in the context of relationships

Reason 2: Our relationships impact every other part of our lives

Principle 1: We are all “hard wired” for relationships

Principle 2: Isolation & loneliness are never God’s intention

Principle 3: We cannot fulfill God’s purposes on our own

Principle 4: Therefore, we really do need each other

We must support each other unconditionally

APPLICATION 1: Never judge

We must support each other tangibly

APPLICATION 2: Always act

We must support each other continually

APPLICATION 3: Don’t quit