🔥 "If you have a relationship that you are in that is not drawing you nearer to Him, you're doing it wrong. You either need to redefine that relationship and how you interact with it, or cut it off." — Pastor Drew

In the sermon "9 Keys to a THRIVING Relationship," Pastor Drew emphasizes that our human relationships are designed to point us back to our Creator. He explains that we often try to bridge the gap between ourselves and others through our own effort, but real reconciliation and growth only happen when we prioritize our vertical relationship with God. By applying biblical principles like empathetic listening, selfless service, and radical forgiveness, we transform our interactions from being "me-centered" to "Christ-centered," allowing our relationships to thrive even in difficult seasons.

🔥 The 9 Keys to a Thriving Relationship 🔥

1 - Center Your Relationship on Christ: Move toward God to get closer to each other.

2 - Speak Empathy Before Truth: Be "with" people in their pain before offering solutions.

3 - Do Not Defend; Understand: Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

4 - Be a Servant First: Outdo one another in showing honor.

5 - Pray With and For Each Other: Invite God to be the unifier in the relationship.

6 - Celebrate More Than You Critique: Maintain a 5-to-1 ratio of positive to negative interactions.

7 - Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven: Forgive quickly, just as Christ forgave you.

8 - Look to Honor God: See every relationship as a way to reflect God's character.

9 - Let Love Be the Engine: Put on love, which binds everything together in perfect unity.

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📖 Scripture References

Psalm 133:1 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.133.1.NIV

Romans 12:15 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.12.15.NIV

Ephesians 4:15 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/EPH.4.15.NIV

James 1:19 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.19.NIV

Matthew 9:35 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.9.35.NIV

Matthew 18:19-20 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.18.19-20.NIV

Proverbs 18:21 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.18.21.NIV

Colossians 3:13-14 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/COL.3.13-14.NIV

1 Peter 4:8 – https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1PE.4.8.NIV

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[00:00] Sermon: 9 Keys to a Thriving Relationship

[07:23] Key 1: Center on Christ

[12:54] Key 2: Speak Empathy Before Truth

[16:09] Key 3: Do Not Defend; Understand

[19:42] Key 4: Be a Servant First

[22:37] Key 5: Pray With and For Each Other

[25:44] Key 6: Celebrate More Than You Critique

[28:10] Key 7: Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

[30:51] Key 8: Look to Honor God

[35:13] Key 9: Let Love Be the Engine

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