The Author of Relationships

Violated Relationships and Pride

Building Blocks of Our Relationships

How in the World Are You? Part 3Genesis 4:9-14

In light of this, How in the World Are You?

Therefore, our relationship with God and others:1. Begins with trust, the foundation that pleases

Him.2. Is motivated by love.3. Is restored and made new everyday by His mercy

and forgiveness.4. Is based on His communication with us.

These are the four building blocks of a relationship with God first, and then others.

Building Blocks of Our Relationships1. The Trust Factor – we all trust at different levels

and in different proportions in various areas of our lives. Truth – the foundation of trust

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

1 John 1:5 (NASB)5 This is the message we have heard from Him and

announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all

John 1:14 (NASB)14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among

us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,

And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom

“People have given up on the truth because they do not believe anyone can be trusted. The world is full of people who have been hurt by those who were supposed to love them – people they should have been able to trust. Before churches will be heard, they must re-establish trust.”

Rusaw and SwansonThe Externally Focused Church, pp. 11-12

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

Building Blocks of Our Relationships1. The Trust Factor – we all trust at different

levels and in different proportions in various areas of our lives. Truth – the foundation of trust Reliability – God is the ultimate picture

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

Numbers 23:19 (NASB)19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,

Nor a son of man, that He should repent;Has He said, and will He not do it?Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Joshua 21:45 (NASB)45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had

made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB)20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are

yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

Building Blocks of Our Relationships1. The Trust Factor – we all trust at different

levels and in different proportions in various areas of our lives. Truth – the foundation of trust Reliability – God is the ultimate picture Unity – combined to become whole

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

1 Chronicles 29:17 (NASB)17 Since I know, O my God, that You try the

heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You.

Building Blocks of Our Relationships1. The Trust Factor – we all trust at different

levels and in different proportions in various areas of our lives. Truth – the foundation of trust Reliability – God is the ultimate picture Unity – combined to become whole Standards – without this, there is no trust

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NASB)15 but like the Holy One who called you, be

holy yourselves also in all your behavior;16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE

HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

Ephesians 1:4 (NASB)4 just as He chose us in Him before the

foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

Building Blocks of Our Relationships1. The Trust Factor – we all trust at different

levels and in different proportions in various areas of our lives. Truth – the foundation of trust Reliability – God is the ultimate picture Unity – combined to become whole Standards – without this, there is no trust Time – proving ground of truth and reliability

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

Building Blocks of Our Relationships2. A different definition for an overused and

underdefined word “God is Love” – 1 John 4:8 Not a feeling, emotion, or decision, but a

person

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

“No man on earth has this passionate love to the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Spirit has imparted it to him…. The only Lover of the Lord Jesus is the Holy Ghost, and He sheds abroad the very love of God in our hearts.”

Oswald ChambersMy Utmost for His Highest, p. 132

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

Building Blocks of Our Relationships2. A different definition for an overused and

underdefined word “God is Love” – 1 John 4:8 Not a feeling, emotion, or decision, but a

person Love is the first blessing – Genesis 1:28 Compare Gal. 5:22-23 with 1 Cor. 13:4-7

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

Galatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the

Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 13:4-74 Love is patient, love is kind

and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Building Blocks of Our Relationships2. A different definition for an overused and

underdefined word “God is Love” – 1 John 4:8 Not a feeling, emotion, or decision, but a

person Love is the first blessing – Genesis 1:28 Compare Gal. 5:22-23 with 1 Cor. 13:4-7 Discipleship from relationship, characterized by

love – John 15:4-5, 8-9

How in the World Are You? Part 3 Genesis 4:9-14

John 15:4-5, 8-9 (NASB)4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot

bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much

fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved

you; abide in My love.