Msg #1548 Thanks for Relationships

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Thanksgiving thanks for relationships might seem overly vague, but consider that, for a born-again believer, every relationship impacts and enlightens a relationship with God. Give thanks for parents, and whether they excelled or failed you're commanded to honour them” (Eph 6:2). Jesus wanted to be about his Father's business, but Luke 2:51 says he was subject to his parents just the same. The new birth's adoption gives one a heavenly Father who always excels, and Romans 8:14-16 allows that they call him dad. Give thanks for brothers and sisters; they taught you to share and fight fair, to love till you die and not tell a lie. Brothers are born for adversity (Prov 17:17). Mark 6:3 tells us Jesus had brothers and sisters, and Prov 18:24 tells us, as Saviour, “he sticketh closer than a brother.” Give thanks for BFFs. Someone had to tell me what that meant. Most people can count true friends on one hand; anything shared with such friends would not cause them to turn from you, or turn on you. “Abraham believed God,... and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). “The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exod 33:11). Give thanks that a blood bought, redeemed, born-again believer can be a friend of God. “Henceforth I call you not servants... but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Be a friend of God. Give thanks for neighbors. Who is my neighbor? Jesus answered that by defining and personifying compassion. (Luke 10:29, Matt 9:35-38). The culmination of all these relationships, the culmination of all intimacy is found in the husband-wife relationship. It is our taste of paradise on earth. Learn this, even that intimate relationship pales in pure intimacy with the LORD God. Thank you Lord.

An Essay for week #48 Nov 29, 2015

This Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs151129.mp3

Published at www.theology.gsbaptistchurch.com

In Your Email see www.GSBaptistChurch.com