Relatable Wrap Up

First Christian Church of Newburgh

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Relatable Wrap Up

October 8, 2023 • Kevin Brimner

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Every relational dynamic has obstacles: forgiveness to offer, apathy to overcome, acceptance for people in process, and conflict to resolve. The covenant relationship of husband and wife seems to have a 10x multiplier effect.

The new humanity Jesus establishes in our relating to one another is grounded in what God established in a garden wedding. Each of us is an image-bearer of God. We reflect the glory of God on the whole AND each of us do this in part – no one of us represents all of the glory all the time.

Paul speaks about the distinctives of 1c family life in the Roman/Greco world. These principles of the new humanity are timeless: mutual submission, an other-centered love, and moving forward together knowing it will cost you something personally.

Conflict Resolution

September 10, 2023 • Kevin Brimner

Relational bad habits are easy to pick up and readily available to anyone with social media access. Unresolved conflict that keeps festering will undo any and all of our relationships. Three high level truths: [1] we share the common bond of being made in the image of God and should treat each other with dignity and respect - for everyone in Christ - we are brothers & sisters, [2] because of sin in each of us conflict is inevitable, [3] and as strange as it sounds conflict can be a good thing at times - God uses conflict as a tool to shape and form us as people of grace (“as iron sharpens iron”). Practical advice from Eph 4:15 [1] speak up [2] speak the truth (words they said/actions they did & how it made you feel) [3] speak the truth in love - there is a qualifying motivation that underscores our speaking truth (love), don’t speak to shame them, guilt them, destroy them, or own them, but to love them [4] so that everyone can grow/mature - I can grow, you can grow in Christ, in grace

Heart of Acceptance

September 17, 2023 • Kevin Brimner • Luke 15

You will never have influence in another person’s life until they first feel accepted by you. Pushing people away or forcing them to conform BEFORE accepting them rarely if ever leads to a strong relationship. Approval/ Acceptance/Requirements. The tension of acceptance is messy and has to be fleshed out. Some think it’s okay to pull far away (requirements) and others that we should all live and let live (approval). Jesus keeps stepping into the messy middle of acceptance. Acceptance does not equal approval, there is such a thing as sin that harms God’s good creation. This section will be the longest…lots of things to process Luke 15 is the backdrop for how to live in the tension of acceptance if we take our relationship cues from the father: He was filled with compassion long before the request for forgiveness was spoken, He was the first to run toward them instead of pulling away, His default response was one of grace not merit (earning something) and celebrating what only the Father can do in his wisdom!

Apathy: Relationship Killer

September 24, 2023 • Kevin Brimner • Matthew 22:34–40

God is intentionally relational by nature and we are made in his image. He created you and me to have a relationship based upon love with us. Apathy is a silent relationship killer. Apathy happens in part because relationships are hard; we forget our God-given relational DNA (made in his image); and we’re just too busy. Over the course of one chapter (Mark 5) Jesus counters apathy by stepping into hard relationships, adding value where value was only taken away, and surrenders his time to look after and minister to relationships that matter. If we were analyzing Jesus’ model of engagement we could break it down to these principles: [1] Be intentional, [2] Add value, [3] Invest your time (quantity & quality) and heart.