Relate Community Church

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March 13, 2022 

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Big Vision Requires Small Beginnings.

OUR VISION: We exists to make life giving relationships that lead people to Know and Follow Jesus Christ.

1. Make Life Giving Relationships.

You were created for community.

2. Lead People to Know Jesus.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.  Philippians 3:10

Jesus is the focus.

I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.   John 14:6

1.  Take Steps to Follow Jesus.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

I was created on purpose for a purpose.

All the believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.  With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God’s grace was so powerful at work in them all.  Acts 4:33

2. Our Unity determines our strength

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.  

John 13:35

I’d rather have united novices than divided experts

3. Our generosity determines our impact.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  2 Corinthians 9:11

We will go and grow as fast as you give and serve.”  

4. Our participation determines our success.

Keep doing anything short of sin to reach people.  

Discussion Questions:

What would you miss most if you lost your sight?

Why is community so important to you and in the church?

How can we know what our Next Step toward God is?

What are some examples of things that divide us?

How can God been generous to us?

What can you do to embrace Vision God has for your life?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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March 6, 2022                                                                                                 It’s Complicated // Week 4

“When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.” Exodus 15:23-25

Turning Bitterness into Sweetness

Critical People.

“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”              - Aristotle

How to bring sweetness: Give Grace

When they hurled their insults at him [Jesus], he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.                      1 Peter 2:23

Who I am matters more than what they think.

Often you do nothing.

Sometimes you respond carefully.

Occasionally you listen and make a change.

Hypocrites.

 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matt 23:28 NLT

If you think God needs you to fix everyone, Your God is too small!

How to bring sweetness: Give Honor

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”  1 Peter 2:17

Controlling People.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”  Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:21

How to bring sweetness: Give Gentle Correction.

…I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 1 Cor 3:1

…if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. Gal 6:1 NLT

Discussion Questions:

What are some toxic traits that have been normalized in society?

Can you remember a time when you were criticized?  

How could you have given grace?

Do you find yourself trying to please people more than God?

How can you bring Honor into some toxic places in your life?

What can you do to be more gentle in correcting people?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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February 27, 2022                                                                                          
It’s Complicated       week 3

I’m not wishing for a better Relationship, I’m working on it.

IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?    Matthew 7:3

Make it about the Groom first, then the Bride.

First 15

• 5 min Prayer
• 5 min Worship
• 5 min Bible Reading

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23

Don’t mistake happiness for holiness.

to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:23-24

“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. Ephesians 4:27

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.              2 Timothy 2:21

Relate to people the way Jesus does.

TRUTH WITHOUT GRACE LEADS TO RULES AND REBELLION

GRACE WITHOUT TRUTH LEADS TO “DO WHATEVER” AND “BELIEVE WHATEVER”.

Truth without Grace is mean. Grace without Truth is meaningless. 

Focus on the 1440.

But, my dear friends, we ask you to do even more.  Try your best to live quietly, to mind your own business, and to work hard, just as we taught you to do.  Then you will be respected by people who are not followers of the Lord, and you won’t have to depend on anyone.  1 Thessalonians 4:10-12. CEV

Show up each day as a humble and grateful servant.

And that’s how it should be with you. When you’ve done all you should, then say, “We are merely servants, and we have simply done our duty.”  Luke 17:10

Discussion Questions:

If you could custom make a friend/ spouse, what characteristics would be perfect?

Why is it easier to address other’s faults and ignore our own?

What can you do to develop on your time with God?

Have you experienced a relationship that leaned too far to Grace OR Truth?  Why is Grace AND Truth so hard?

How can we be intentional about humility and gratitude?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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February 20, 2022                                                                                          

You don’t have to recover from Healthy Relationships.

Relationships work if you work on them.

1. Healthy people have Healthy Relationships.

When Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.  Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud.  Genesis 29:10-11

1. Learn to Love the Work.

Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.  Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Genesis 29:16-17

Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”  …  So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.  Genesis 29. 18,20

Daily Communication

Weekly Date Nights

Go on Vacation without the kids

Regular Marriage Counseling

1. When it looks different than you thought, don’t run from it, work on it.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.”  Genesis 29:21 

When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?”  Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Genesis 29:25

1. Relationship Destroyers

Criticism.

Antidote:  Gentle Start-up

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

Contempt.

Antidote:  Build a Culture of Appreciation and Respect

There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate: A proud look… Proverbs 6:16

Defensiveness.

Antidote:  Take Responsibility.

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Proverbs 18:19

Stonewalling.

Antidote:  Physiological Self-Soothing.

 If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.  Ephesians 4:26

I’m not wishing for a better marriage; I’m working for it.

Discussion Questions:

Who is your life has shown you a Healthy Relationship/s?

What are some fun things you love to do together?

Name an area in yourself, that you know you need to work on.

How can you stay honorable and life-giving in a conflict?

Describe ways to build a culture of appreciation and respect in your relationships?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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February 13, 2022                                                                                          It’s Complicated       week 1

You don’t have to recover from Healthy Relationships.

Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.” Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.   Matthew 12:46-49 NLT

Jesus’ Family

Different Realities.

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.  Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

Jealous and Comparative.

They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified,but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”  Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!  John 6:19

In it for the perks.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood… They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?  John 6:26,30

Undependable Complainers.

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?...  At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.  John 6:60-61, 66

Frenemies.

Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.”He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.  John 6:70

Family made simple.

1.Build your family up.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24-252.

2. Start with God’s Word.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”  Matthew 7:24-27

3. Stay on Mission.

Life is a team Sport and you can’t win alone.

Discussion Questions:

Name some fictional families.  Are they healthy or not?

Who should I be getting closer to? distancing myself from?

How can God’s Word make my family stronger?

What actions will I take to be more on mission?

Who can I pull in to the mission?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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6 Decisions 

IT IS YOUR DECISIONS, AND NOT YOUR CONDITIONS, THAT DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.  After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  Acts 16:22-24

FIND THE PURPOSE IN MY PAIN.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  James 1:2-4

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 NLT

MY PAIN IS A JAIL THAT IMPRISONS ME OR A SCHOOL THAT EMPOWERS ME.

STOP RUNNING FROM GOD AND RUN TO GOD.

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.       Isaiah 55:6 NIV 

WHEN SOMETHING IS HAPPENING TO ME, GOD WANT TO REVEAL HIMSELF IN ME.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

TAKE THE STEPS TO GROW.

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT

ALLOW GOD TO USE WHAT I’VE BEEN  THROUGH TO HELP OTHERS.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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January 16, 2022  6 Decisions - Let God define me!week 5

IT IS YOUR DECISIONS, AND NOT YOUR  DESIRES, THAT DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY.

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 

Genesis 32:22-30 NIV

ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE MY IDENTITY

Many of us are wrestling between who we’ve become and who we’re supposed to be. 

1. WE HOLD ON TO OUR PAST.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

1. WE HOLD ON TO OUR SECRETS.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.  Proverbs 28:13

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. Psalm 32:3-5 NLT

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.  Psalm 32:3-5 

1. WE HOLD ON TO OUR CONTROL.

That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’” Hebrews 3:7-11 NLT

BROKENNESS PRECEDES BREAKTHROUGH.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Psalm 51:17 NIV

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

GIVE MY WHOLE LIFE TO GOD.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Pastor Susan Mead

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Listen to Minister BJ share on why we must worship!

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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January 9, 2022                                                                     
6 Decisions | Week 2

LIVE WITHOUT OFFENSE…
 It is impossible that no offense comes… 
Luke 17:1
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Matthew 24:10
Offense (skandalizo): Scandal or trap 

Offense is an event, but offended is a decision

An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.  Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.  Proverbs 18:19

GUARD YOUR HEART. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Proverbs 4:23

FORGIVE. Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Colossians 3:13

______________________________________
What they did was too big
They didn’t say they were sorry
They will do it again
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FOLLOWERS OF JESUS LOSE THEIR RIGHT TO BE RIGHT

WE HAVE A CHOICE TO LIVE BITTER BECAUSE OF WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE OR BETTER BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS HAS DONE 

THE POTENTIAL AHEAD OF ME IS GREATER THAN THE PAIN BEHIND ME

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved