Ephesians 4:25-32

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The deepest principle in the human heart is the craving to be appreciated. -William James

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IS THE CLARION CALL OF TODAY’S GENERATION: Ephesians 5:1-2

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

1.Community. Acts 2:44

2. Integrity. Psalm 139:23

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

3.Connectedness. Ephesians 4:25-32

4. Authenticity. Philippians 1:14-16

BUILDING BIBLICAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE MUCH NEEDED IN TODAY’S WORLD: Matthew 5:37-44

1. Communication is critical to building healthy relationships. v. 37

2. Generosity is central to growing healthy relationships. v. 38

3. Encouragement is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships. v. 39

4. Consistency is the standard by which all relationships are measured. v. 40-42

RE-BUILDING BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS IS OUR MOST CHALLENGING ASSIGNMENT: Philippians 2:3-7

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

1. Humility. 1 Peter 5:5

“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

2. Forgiveness. Colossians 3:13

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

3. Faith. Hebrews 4:15-16

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”