MENDING BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
Pastor Steve and Brenda Lummer
“It’s better to eat soup with someone you love than steak with someone you hate” Proverbs 15.17 (Living Bible)
Opposites attract but only up to a point. One of the main reasons many couples break up is that they have not enough in common. This can happen early in a marriage or even sometimes, as it seems recently in growing numbers, after the children have moved out of home. Couples find they have nothing in common. Nothing left to talk about.
1. ARE RELATIONAL DEATHS PREDICTABLE?
RESENTMENT brings relational deaths
“… remembering wrongs can break up a friendship.” Proverbs 17.9 (Good News)
RETALIATION brings relational deaths
“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone…” Leviticus 19.18 (New Living Translation)
RESIGNATION brings relational deaths
“Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble, but one who openly criticizes works for peace. Proverbs 10.10 (Good News)
2. ARE RELATIONAL RESURRECTIONS POSSIBLE?
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12.18
Forgiveness takes ONE – Reconciliation takes TWO.
3. HOW GOD DEALS WITH RELATIONSHIP ISSUES
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5.18-19
What God Reveals:
* Stop USING YOURSELF AS A FRAME OF REFERENCE.
* Start ASKING GOD TO HELP ME SEE THEM AS THEY ARE..
“We are not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces…” Ephesians 6.12 (Good News)
What God Requires:
* Stop RESENTING THE WAY THINGS ARE.
* Start FORGIVE THE WAYS THINGS HAVE BEEN.
“Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3.13
How God Restores
* Stop FANTASIZING ABOUT THE FUTURE.
* Start ACTING IN LOVING WAYS.
“…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6.27-28
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