The Gospel and Relationships

Yesterday I preached a message entitled, “The Gospel and Relationships.” It’s a single message in a series of single messages until I begin preaching through the book of James in July in a series entitled, Authentic Faith. Ironically, I took my main text for this single message from the book of James, chapter 4:1-3.

Essentially the gist of my message was this: the gospel moves us from an external focus on the problems of others to an internal focus on our own sins. If we continually come back to the gospel, it can revolutionize our relationships. Here were my six points:

1) I Am the Biggest Problem In Every Relationship

2) The Relationships God Gave Me Are Designed for My Good

3) The Way I Treat People is the Way I Treat God

4) I Will Only Have Peace in My Relationships When I Have Peace with God

5) I Must Show Mercy When People Sin

6) Every person is valued by God

I ended by quoting this song, a favorite of mine, written by Mike Otto:

Let me see this world, dear Lord,

As though I were looking through Your eyes.

A world of men who don’t want You Lord,

But a world for which You died.

Let me kneel with You in the garden,

Blur my eyes with tears of agony;

For if once I could see this world the way You see,

I just know I’d serve You more faithfully.