Living Out the Gospel in Our Relationships

The Gospel message is a relational message.  While on earth, Jesus walked with others, thus, relationships were important to Him and therefore, they should be important to us.

John 1:14 says: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Today, Jesus Christ is no longer in the flesh walking with us, but before He left earth He said it was to our advantage that He go away.

In John 16:7, Jesus says, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

We have the Holy Spirit going through life with us.  Guiding us.  Comforting us.  And yes, even convicting us toward righteous living so we can become more Christ-like.

Last week I gave a message to a group of women about how we can live out the Gospel in our relationships and I covered the 4 M’s:

• Our relationship with our Messiah.
• Our marital relationship.
• Our mothering.
• Ministry– extended family, friends, coworkers, etc.

We recorded a video for you so you can watch it here.

(If you can’t see the video, click this link.)

Some points I covered in the message:

1.  Our relationship with our Messiah

Don’t put your relationship with the Lord on the backburner now that you’re saved. You need this relationship to consume your heart so you can thrive, and so you can point others to the Gospel.

In case you can’t hear the Holy Spirit speak to you, here are 5 things to consider:

• There’s too much noise in your life. If you live in a house full of people and children then it’s imperative for you to spend some time alone with the Lord.
• There’s too much busyness. Schedules are packed full. You’re running from one commitment to the next and there’s no time for your soul to be quieted so you can hear from Lord.
• You don’t know the Word of God well enough. Be patient. Growth takes time.
• Your heart is hardened toward the Lord.
• You have unrepentant sin in your life.

Protect your spiritual well being at all cost. This is where you’ll get your daily dose of strength, joy, peace, and hope no matter your circumstances.

2.  Our Marital Relationship

Outside of our relationship with Jesus Christ, our marriages are our most important earthly relationship. A Christian marriage is to reflect the kind of love that Christ had for the church, the kind of love He laid His life down for.

Let me ask you a question:

Is your marriage self-centered, child-centered, or Christ-centered?

A question you might be asking: How does one have a Christ-centered marriage?

Answer: Emulate Christ. Live a sacrificial life. Be obedient to the Scriptures.

God created marriage and marriage God’s way, works!  Hold fast to this truth.

3.  Our Mothering

Malachi 2:16 says that God desires godly offspring.

Teach your kids to follow Jesus and teach them to be kingdom builders.  Make life about Jesus and not about them.

Question for you:
Is your home a self-centered home, a child-centered home, or a Christ-centered home?

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4

Note that the scripture says ‘walk in truth’, not self.  It’s a parent’s responsibility to tame the self-entitlement monster that every child deals with.

4.  Our Ministries- friends, extended family, coworkers, etc.

Seek to keep Christ at the center of all your relationships.

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Relationships can be quite messy, but thankfully we have a God who redeems and restores when we’ve got a mess! Continue to grow in His grace and knowledge in spite of how others around you may live.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.  2 Peter 3:18

Live a poured out life for Christ,