WHY THIS MESSAGE

SERIES IS RELEVANT &

IMPORTANT FOR

ALL OF US

Reason 1:

We live our lives in the

context of relationships

Reason 2:

Our relationships impact

every other part of our lives.

PRINCIPLES THAT

UNDERGIRD THIS ENTIRE

MESSAGE SERIES

Principle 1:

We are all “hard wired” for

relationships

The Lord God said,

“It isn’t good for man to be alone . . .”

(Genesis 2:18 – Living Bible)

Principle 2:

Isolation & loneliness are

never God’s intention

God is a father to orphans, and he

takes care of widows. God provides

homes for those who are lonely.

He frees people from prison

and makes them happy.

(Psalm 68:5-6– Easy To Read Version)

Principle 3:

We cannot fulfill God’s

purposes on our own

You must love the Lord with all your

heart, soul, mind, and strength . . .

and love others as much as you love

yourself. No other commandment

is more important than these. (Mark 12:30-31 – Contemporary English Version)

Principle 4:

Therefore, we really do

need each other

We belong to each other

and each of us needs all the others.

(Romans 12:5 – New Living

Translation)

GIVING SUPPORT

WHAT DOES

THAT MEAN?

No one is useless in this world

who lightens the burdens

of another.

(Charles Dickens)

SUPPORT - To bear all or

part of the weight of; hold up.

To sustain (a person, the mind,

spirits, courage, etc.)

under trial or affliction.

Help carry each other’s burdens. In this

way you will follow Christ’s teachings.

(Galatians 6:2 – God’s Word

Translation)

Two people are better than one . . .

if one person falls, the other person can

reach out to help. But those who are

alone when they fall have no one

to help them. If two people sleep

together, they will be warm.

But a person sleeping alone will not be

warm. An enemy might be able to

defeat one person, but two people

can stand back-to-back to defend

each other.

And three people are even stronger.

They are like a rope that has three

parts wrapped together—

it is very hard to break. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Easy To Read

Version)

We must support each other

unconditionally

If you judge other people, then you will

find that you, too, are being judged.

Indeed, you will be judged by the very

standards to which you hold other

people. Why is it that you see the

dust in your brother’s or sister’s eye,

but you can’t see what is in your own

eye? Don’t ignore the wooden plank in

your eye, while you criticize the speck

of sawdust in your brother’s eyelashes.

That type of criticism

and judgment is a sham!

Remove the plank from your own eye,

and then perhaps you will be able

to see clearly how to help your

brother flush out his sawdust.

(Matthew 7:1-5 – The Voice)

Don’t let even one rotten word seep out

of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh

words that build others up when they

need it most.

That way your good words

will communicate grace

to those who hear them.

(Ephesians 4:29 – The Voice)

Application 1:

Never judge

We must support each other

tangibly

If a person claims to have faith

but does nothing, that faith is worth

nothing . . . Suppose a brother or sister

in Christ comes to you in need of

clothes or something to eat.

And you say to them,

“God be with you! I hope you stay warm

and get plenty to eat,”

but you don’t give them the things they

need. If you don’t help them,

your words are worthless.

(James 2:14-16 – Easy To Read

Version)

Application 2:

Always act

We must support each other

continually

So let’s not allow ourselves to get tired

or fatigued in doing good. At the right

time we will harvest a good crop

if we don’t give up, or quit.

Right now, therefore, every time

we get the chance, let us work for

the benefit of all, starting with the

people closest to us . . .

(Galatians 6:9-10 – The Message)

Application 3:

Don’t quit

Let’s Pray