Anchored-4-Covenant Relationships

Tonight Pastor Brad continues his series he calls Anchored

Pastors Notes:

TEXT

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 NKJV

 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are [a]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

INTRODUCTION

Good evening, everyone!

I hope you’ve been enjoying this series as much as I have. This morning, we looking at yet another an Anchor, which was community, and the value of belonging to a local church.

Tonight, this teaching will go hand in hand with what I taught you this morning. I want to talk to you about the value of covenant relationships.

ILLUSTRATION

It’s no secret that we live in a society of disposable relationships.

-   Marriages have a divorce rate of 52 percent.

• Social media has developed “plastic relationship syndrome”, meaning that we can have 1,000’s of friends on Facebook, and 10,000 followers on Instragram, and still have no real friends.
• In the real world, if you are mad at someone, you still might run into them in Wal Mart. In the cyber world, you can just point, click, and block, never to be seen again.

TRANSITION

I believe that dynamic in our society has damaged true, valuable relationships.

We need people, and we certainly need friendships and relationships on different levels.

There were people in high school that we were BFF, but now, we don’t even know each other.

• Some people come into your life for a season. Other’s come for a reason. Discern the difference.

There were girls I had a crush on in grade school, and I felt so rejected and crushed when they turned me down. My poor little heart felt like it just couldn’t go on. Now, I don’t even remember their name or what they looked like!

Time marches on!

So yes, some relationships are not permanent. Yet, as a Christian, I believe there are three very important “types” of relationships that we need to have to anchor our walk with God.

I will have to look at many passages concerning the life of the Apostle Paul to tie this together, but now, go with me to our passage.

BACKGROUND

In our text, Paul is coming to Corinth to deal with some issues that are going on in the church. As you read both letters to this church, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that there are some major issues concerning ethics, sexuality, and spiritual gifts.

Paul is coming to these people with very strong words of correction.

Paul is coming as the person who started this church. He’s coming as an Apostle. He says here that you have ten thousand instructors, but not many fathers. The word instructor means “child leader”, or babysitter in the Greek language.

I’d submit to you that a babysitter does not have the same interest in the child  than the father. Often times the babysitter will give a child sugar to make them stop screaming, set them in front of a TV to occupy them, or things of similar nature. A father, however, is concerned about the growth and well being of the child.

Which brings me to my first point:

APPLICATION

1. Everyone Needs A Paul

- If we are honest, most people want relationships in their life that will condone them rather than correct them.

- You need a mentor. Someone farther down the road than you who can correct you and direct you when needed.

- I have learned to value and treasure those relationships in my life and to guard them dearly.

2. Everyone Needs A Timothy

- Notice that Paul calls Timothy his son, who he has begotten in the gospel.

- This means that Paul was responsible for Timothy coming into the Kingdom and his ministry.

- We all need someone we can pour into.

- Can you point to someone in your life who you are currently mentoring?

- Our older generation needs to do this. When you see kids at the altar, when you see them struggling, come help them. Talk to them. Invite them to lunch. Help them avoid the same land mines you discovered when you were their age.

3. Everyone Needs A Silas

- Acts 16 records part of their relationship.

- They preached together, cast out devils together, were beat together, imprisoned together, and were even willing to die together.

- Everyone needs a friend like that. Someone to walk side by side with them through life.


CONCLUSION