… with others

Build Better Relationships

…. with God…. with others…. with family

…. with the community

Ephesians 2:6 (NIV) 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

New Rules for RelationshipsEphesians 4:3 (NIV)

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3 (AMP) 3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness

of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

Ephesians 4:13 (NIV) 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of

God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

“MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY”

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit …”

“…. until we all reach unity in the faith”

BUILD UNITY

1. Right attitude is more important than being right

Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing

with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2 (AMP) 2 [Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind

(humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and

making allowances because you love one another.

2. How you speak is more important than what you say.

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things

grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:25-26 (NIV) 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and

speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do

not let the sun go down while you are still angry

Ephesians 4:29-31 (NIV) 29 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. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with

every form of malice.

3. Forgive

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

4. Refuse to partner with those who won’t change

Ephesians 5:5-7 (NIV) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no

one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Ephesians 5:5-7 (AMP) 5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought

or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]—for he [in effect] is an idolater—has any

inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through

these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. 7 So do not associate or be sharers with them.

5. What joins us is more important than what divides us.

Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) 25 … for we are all members of one body.

HOW??

1. Jesus does not come to give us answers – HE IS THE ANSWER.

2. Start today – with yourself!

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to

debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Romans 14:17 (NIV) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating

and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

3. For those struggling with dis-unity: It’s not always resolvable

Romans 12:18 (NIV) 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at

peace with everyone.

4. For those who stay with your parents

5. For those wanting to be a spiritual father or mother to someone.

Unity commands blessing

Psalm 133:1-3 (NIV) 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live

together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running

down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on

Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.