Building Great Relationships - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

Life As It Was Meant To Be

Part 4: Building Great Relationships

Louie Marsh, 7-4-2021

 

 

1) PUT OTHERS ahead of myself.

 

“1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,” (1 Thessalonians 3:1–2, ESV)

 

Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Philip. 2:3 (NLT)

 

Not Neurotic living of performance for acceptance, which we’ve talked about last week, but being humble – CHOOSING to serve others because of the love of Christ!

 

2) Focus on ENCOURAGING others.

 

“2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2–3, ESV)

 

Remember Paul was in JAIL – he had his own problems yet was concerned about others too!

 

“9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9, ESV)

 

Encouragement comes in many forms – teaching (doctrine) is one, but only one way to encourage those around you – you discover what kind of encouragement to use NOT by checking with how YOU feel or what YOU think – but by discovering THEIR condition and then responding appropriately.

 

3) TELL the whole ugly truth!

 

“3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)

 

Paul was honest – the truth isn’t always ugly – but it often is, we must tell it like it is, with love!

 

“18“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, ESV)

 

Jesus was honest, at times brutally honest – let’s not sugar coat the truth – but tell it truthfully and skillfully.

 

4) OPENLY SHARE my struggles.

 

“7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:7, ESV)

 

Paul didn’t make the mistake we often do – thinking we must remain stoic, not revealing our trouble so we can help others!  A generation ago Ministers were actually taught never to let their members see them without a tie on!!  That’s not a biblical approach – instead honest openness is what we need if we are to build real relationships.

 

5) FREELY EXPRESS  my deepest feelings.

 

“8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8, ESV)

 

Paul wasn’t embarrassed to open his heart and let them know how much he cared for them. How about us??

 

“1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:1–2, ESV)

 

Timothy wasn’t his son, yet he loved him like one and was afraid to say so in a very public forum!

 

…and the secret ingredient is…

 

PRAYER that is…

 

• THANKFUL

 

“9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,” (1 Thessalonians 3:9, ESV)

 

• INTENSE

 

“10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)

 

          Story of boy having to say his prayers, and his “Ditto” prayer!

 

• RELATIONAL

 

“11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,” (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)

 

• DEEP

 

“12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,” (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)

 

• CHRIST Centered & ETERNITY minded.

 

“13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13, ESV)

 

 

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