Cultivating Loving Relationships
Scripture: Eccl 4:9-12 NLT
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Fellowship is “experiencing life together”
Now we are less connected than ever. In order to live a life that counts we must learn to value relationship over possessions. We should specially value people of same values. We must value people more than things. We must find joy in fellowship and not in pleasure alone.
Ecclesiastes 4:7, 8 - Being all alone selfishly or isolating from others is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 - Chasing fame is also meaningless.
In between these two scriptures Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches the value of Loving Relationships
VALUE OF LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
1.We accomplish more through our labor. [Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)]
- Ecclesiastes 4:7, 8 says working alone for all the profit is meaningless and depressing.
- Teamwork makes the dream work possible – Maxwell. Eg: Ants and Honeybees.
- TEAM: Together Everyone Achieving More.
- We are called together to work together in the field.
- All people have no same ability and do not do same work. Function is different but worth equal
Socialism <> Spirituality
All are equal Compliment (Acts 20:35)
- A Christian is the best servant in the world.
- One who loves you will help you
- Grumbling due to partiality was solved by the service of a godly team. (Acts 6:1-7)
2.We receive help in times of our “fall”. [Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NLT)]
- There is more safety in travelling together. We will have the support and encouragement of the companions.
- If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
- The only way we can support and encourage one another is when we are open and honest about our promises and struggles.
- Through the loving relationships we will have “someone there – a companion to pick up”.
- Be a friend and have a friend.
- Better to have very close friends from the same gender or couples.
3.We receive warmth on a cold night. [Ecclesiastes 4:11 (NLT)]
- We are called to gain warmth from each other.
- Sharing and caring builds loving relationships
- Hebrews 10: 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 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.
- Key for relationship is communication. Talk your heart out to somebody.
4.We receive protection and victory during attacks. [Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)]
- All of us are in spiritual war, and we need one another to win.
- 1 Peter: 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
- In fellowship we have protection, we have accountability, and we have victory during times of attack by the evil one.
- A family have something – greater – the protection is provided. The more the support the better the victory.
- United we stand, Divided we fall.
- Even the perfect Jesus needed imperfect disciples for fellowship.
