Restored Relationships: A Biblical Perspective – Collaboration & Effective Witness

by

The Plan

  • In open relationship with God: Gen 1:26
  • In open relationship with self: Gen 2:15-20
  • In open relationship with others: Gen 2:23-25
  • In open relationship with created order:Gen 2:15-20

 

The problem

  • Broken relationship with God: Gen 3:8
  • Broken relationship with myself: Gen 3:10
  • Broken relationship with others: Gen 3:12, 4:9
  • Broken relationship with created order: Gen 4:16-19

 

The Mandate

  • The new commandment: John 13:34-35, 15:11-17, 17:20-23
  • The new expectation: I John 1:7-11, 4:11-21
  • Salvation defined: Matt 22:34-40, John 10:25-37
  • Fruit of the Spirit defined: Gal 4:30–5:10, 5:22-26

 

The Image

  • The Body of Christ — its nature: Rom 12:1-8, I Cor 12:1-31, Eph 4:1-16
  • Agents of reconciliation: II Cor 5:16-21, 13:11, Eph 2: 11-18, , Phil 2:1-16, Titus 3:1-10, Heb 13:1-6, James 2:1-13, 3:17-18, I Peter 2:1-5, 3:7-12
  • The new community: Col 3:12-15

 

The Process

  • Initiative: Gen 3:8, Hosea 3:1-3 (2:14-17), Matt 18:15-17, John 3:16, Heb 1:1-2
  • Self-awareness of sin: Gal 6:1-5
  • On-going forgiveness: Matt 18:21- 35
  • Active encouragement: Rom 12:9-21, II Cor 12:20-21
  • Love: I Cor 13, Col 3:14

 

The Implications

  • Warnings: James 4:1-10, I Peter 4:7-11, 5:5-7,  II Peter 1:3-9, I John 1:7-11, 3:11-23**
  • Signs of immaturity/turning away: II Tim 3:1-7, II Cor 12:20-21
  • Satan the cause/root of division: John 10:10, Rom 12:21, II Cor 2:10-11, James 4:7

 

The Blessings

  • Freedom: Gal 5:13-15
  • Power: Matthew 28:18-20
  • Refreshment: Psalm 133
  • Credibility: John 17:20-21