THE LAW OF RELATIONSHIPS

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Jonah Hicks
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1 THE LAW OF RELATIONSHIPS By Rick Sizemore

2 How are We going to Live? The Foundation of all laws is Law of /Law of Sin & Death - Law is not do s and don ts, but how creation was assigned and ordered to function. - Physical laws order physical: Gravity: Psalm 148:6; Jeremiah 31: Spiritual laws order relationships: Romans 7:22-8:3 1. Law of Relationship/ sin and of death: Question: What is the sin; what is the death? 2. Law of Moses: Malachi 4:4; John 1:17 3. Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus: Romans 8:2 - A failure to order our lives according to the laws is catastrophic! Hosea 4:6 Relationship; Living life with God and Others - Foundations of Creation - The 2 trees and 2 ways to live life: Genesis 2:9 - Freedom to choose how to live life: Genesis 2: Tree of life is life and relationship with God! Revelation 22:1-3 - The Tree of life and the pronoun it - Authority to be family: Revelation 22:14 cf. John 1:12; Revelation 21:7 - Part/inheritance with God: Revelation 22:19 cf. 21:7; Romans 8:17 - Tree of knowledge of good/evil: Form of God (religion) without relationship with God and others: Genesis 3:1-6 Note: A knowledge of good/evil is not bad because God has it, but Genesis 3:22 - Religious laws and traditions: don t touch : v. 3 cf. Mark 7:12 - Like God: v. 5 cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Peter 1:4 2

3 - Delight/good: v. 6 cf. 2:9, Psalm 16:11 - Wisdom and blessing/prosperity: v. 6 cf. Colossians 2:8 cf. 1 Corinthians 1:30 - The Fullness of God is our tree of life: John 4:32-34; John 17:3 3

4 The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil Foundations - The Tree of the knowledge of good and evil (TKGE) is having the form and provisions of God without relationship with Him. - The Tree of life (TL) is a depth of relationship with God. - God is working to bring about in us real Love! Ephesians 3: God or TL is about love: Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 2:9; James 1:12; 2:5 TKGE is to seek to know Good/Evil instead of a Relationship with God! 1. TKGE knows/seeks God s promises over a relationship with God: 1 Samuel 8:1-7; Deuteronomy 17:14 - The promises are yes in Him: 2 Corinthians 1:20 - A heart for the Lord directs time and process. 2 Chronicles 13:3,6 2. TKGE knows/seeks God s provisions over a relationship with God: Exodus 33:1-3 cf. v For Abraham, God and His character (Jehovah Jireh; Lord will provide) was the basis of the provision: Romans 4:18; Genesis 22:14 3. TKGE knows/seeks God s plans over a relationship with God: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Proverbs 3: TKGE knows/seeks God s a religious order over relationships: Matthew 12:1-7 - Structure/order is for love and faith: Mark 2:22-28; 1 Corinthians 11:3,10 4

5 5. TKGE knows/seeks God s Word over a relationship with God: John 5:39 - The purpose of God s Word is love in relationships: 1 Timothy 1: TKGE knows/seeks gifts/ministry over a relationship with God: Matthew 7:15; Ephesians 4:12,16 - Gifts and ministries are all about love and relationships Conclusion: God s promises, provisions, plans, structure/order, Word and gifts/ministries are important. But all of these things are to flow out of a depth of relationship with God and others. 5

6 6 Foundations of the Law of 1. God is creator God; He sets foundations: Genesis 1:1; 2:16 cf. Psalm 100:3 - As creator; God is a relational God: Genesis 2:15-; 3:8-10; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 139:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:16;18; Hebrews 13:5-6; Revelation 21:3 - God created us like Him (Genesis 1:26); therefore he created us relational, with the capacity to love: 1 John 4: are to be within the Framework of Beauty and Delight: - Beauty: Genesis 2:9; 11-12; cf. Psalm 27:4; 50:2; 96:6; Song of Solomon (15 times) - Delight: Genesis 2:9; cf. Psalm 37:4; Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Why beauty/delight? They draw out & direct our affections: Psalm 27:4 - Beauty/delight are a frame, not the picture: Romans 1: and the Freedom to Choose: Genesis 2:16 cf. 1 Corinthians 7:37 4. are designed to bring Completeness: Genesis 2:18-2:23 - Family relationships: 1 Corinthians 11: within body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12: are designed to have order: 1 Corinthians 11:3, Ordering authority: submit: Hupatasso; To order under : 1 Corinthians 11:3 - Authority is to protect, empower, accountable, serve and example - Ordering of sphere of relationships: Genesis 2:20; 2:24 - Order of timing of relationships: Ecclesiastes 3:11 6. are purposed for Intimacy and Vulnerability: Genesis 2:25 - Into-me-see; light: 1 John 1:7 - Sin and death steal intimacy: - Creates shame: Covering or hiding of relationships: Genesis 3:7-10 6

7 Receiving God s Fullness in our The Two Facets of Releasing the God s Glory into Our 1. Glory of God: 2 Corinthians 3:18 - Thoughts, opinions and recognitions of God; as it pertains to who God is (Exodus 33:18); who we are as... John 17:22 - Beholding (Setting my Hope) the glory of God: 1 John 3:2-3 - Beholding glory is the way our lives/relationships are transformed 2. Glory to glory; faith to faith Romans 1:17; grace to grace John 1:16 The Glory of that we are called to Experience - The Glory of the Father - The glory of who our Heavenly is to us: John 16: Who we are as Fathers/mothers to our kids: Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:7 My Hope: That as my Heavenly is to me that I am to my children! - The Glory of Jesus, the Son of God - The glory of Jesus as the Son of God: 2 Peter 1:17 - Who we are as sons/daughters of God John 17:22 pertains to God & our parents: Hebrews 12:7 My Hope: That as Jesus is as a Son, so I am to God and parents! - The Glory of Jesus, Our Brother - The glory of Jesus as our brother: Hebrews 2:11-12; 14,17 - Who we are as brothers and sisters to others: 1 John 3:16 My Hope: That as Jesus is as a brother/sister, so I am to others! 7

8 - The Glory of Jesus, the Bridegroom - Who Jesus is to us as our Bridegroom: Ephesians 5:25 - Who a man is as a one who relates to women: Ephesians 5:25 My Hope: As Jesus is as our bridegroom I am to my wife/women! - The Glory of the Bride of Christ, the Church - Who the Church is as the Bride of Christ: Ephesians 5: Who we are as the bride of Christ: - Who a wife is. My Hope: As the Church is to Jesus so also are women as wives! The Challenge: Hebrews 10:

9 Violated God is creator God; He sets foundations: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 100:3 - As creator; God is a relational God: Genesis 2:15-24; 3:8-10; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 139:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:16;18; Hebrews 13:5-6; Revelation 21:3 - God created us like Him (Genesis 1:26); therefore he created us relational, with the capacity to love: 1 John 4:7-8 Question: God created us to walk in loving relationships, but what happens when sin and death enter? What Happens when are violated? Death of Relationship Answer: John 4:1-24: Jesus and the woman at the well/spring/river/ water is type for relationships: Jeremiah 2:13; 17-18; Proverbs 5: Racial/political divide of Samaritan and Jews: John 4:9 cf. 8:48 - Gender divide woman versus a man: John 4:9 cf. 4:27 - Religious divide: Method of worship: John 4:20 - Shame; Outcast: Getting water at 12 noon; John 4:6-7 cf. 4:29 - Sinful past/present: 4 husbands; living with a guy. - Broken relationships - Shut down; 4 husbands; living with a guy. John 4: No mention of children 9

10 Fullness of relationships Begins in the Spirit - The fullness of the Trinity is the source of life. John 4:10-15; Jesus: v Holy Spirit: v. 15 cf. John 7: Father: John 4: Out of and in our depths of our spirit and soul - Deep/depths: John 4:11; 14; cf. John 7:38; Psalm 42:7; Proverbs 20:27 - Worship is an access to God s and our depths: John 4:21-24 cf. 10

11 Beauty and Delight Part 1 Foundation of the Law of ; Beauty and Delight - Beauty: Genesis 2:9; cf. Psalm 27:4; 50:2; 96:6; Song of Solomon (15 times) - Delight: Genesis 2:9; Why beauty/delight? B/D draw out & direct our affections: Psalm 27:4 - Use Beauty and delight to enhance relationships: Philippians 4:8 - B/D, a frame for relationships, not the focus: Romans 1:25-26 Discovering the awesomeness of Beauty and Delight! 1. God is the originator of B/D: James 1:16-17 in creation and heaven: Psalm 96:6 Arts: Exodus 35:30-ff; 1 Kings 7:14; Agri: Isaiah 28:24-29; Bus: Isaiah 48:17 in relationships: Ecclesiastes 9:9 2. Receive the truth that B/D is God s will for our lives in Him: Psalm 36:8; 37:4; 1 Timothy 6:17 in relationships: Proverbs 5:18-19; Ecclesiastes 9:9 3. Recognize, release, teach and order the producers of B/D: - Recognize/release: - God/corporate: Exodus 31 - Home: Proverbs 31: Teach: - God/corporate: 1 Chronicles 25:7-8 11

12 - Home: Titus - Order: 1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 25:1-2 - Order the Beauty/Delight: Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 - Order time 4. Responding to the revelations of beauty and delight: - God: Romans 1:

13 Beauty and Delight Part 2 Framing Beauty and Delight to that creates Heart Art - Beauty and Delight draw out & direct our affections: Psalm 27:4 - Good affections: John 12 - Bad: David/Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11; Amnon/Tamar: 1 Samuel 13 Question: What causes the bad affections; with bad results? How do we experience Beauty and Delight in the physical: Beauty: Song of Solomon 1:5; Psalm 50:2; Delight: Proverbs 5:19-20; 2 Timothy 6:17 with my mind/heart: Beauty: literature/arts: Genesis 49:21; Delight: Psalm 1:2 spiritually: Beauty: love Galatians 5:22; Delight: Psalms 37:4 Expressions of Beauty and Delight to Frame in creation: Isaiah 6:3 in the arts (music, dance, painting, etc ): Exodus 31:3-4 in recreation/sports: 1 Timothy 4:8 in acts service & love: John 12:2-4 in the precious things of life (heart art) in the fullness of the Lord: Psalm 16:11 13

14 Heart art ; Utilizing Beauty & Delight to Frame 1. God s perception of Beauty/Delight enhances our heart art: Psalm 1:1-3 - God s heart of Beauty/Delight: Jeremiah 9:23-24; Hebrews 11:6 2. How do we perceive Beauty/Delight: - Look spiritual to heart to physical: John 7:24; 8:15; 2 Corinthians 5:16 - Physical to mind/heart: Matthew 23:27 - Physical revelations cause lust: David & Amnon 3. Disciplined/Taught Beauty and Delight: - Arts: 1 Chronicles 25:7-8 - Home: Titus 4. Responding to revelations of Beauty/Delight releases Heart Art: Romans 1:

WHO AM I IN CHRIST? Part 2, Who Am I?

WHO AM I IN CHRIST? Part 2, Who Am I? Read the following sections of scripture and summarize what they say about you in Christ. As you study, ask and expect the Lord to increase your faith in what He says