--PRE-SERVICE PRAYER--

Focus: Is it a Door or is it a Trap Door?

Foundation Scripture: Revelation 3:6-8 NKJV

Prayer Points:

1. Pray We Rightly Discern Open Doors!
2. Focus on Jesus the Controller of Open Doors!
3. Pray We Use Open Doors to Bless others in Tangible Ways!
4. Pray for Impactful Sunday Service!

--MESSAGE--
F.O.L.K.S.

Introduction:
Whether it’s friends, family (“F”), neighbors, co-workers, social groups, frats/sororities (“Ordinary ones”), fiancée & dating (“L”oved Ones), kids (“K”), & spouse (“S”), God has “programmed” us to live in community with one another. We must interact with others and engage in the relationships we have all around us.

Relationship - how two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected; how two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other.

Relationship Wisdom Tips:

1. Assess those in your inner circle. Sometimes we outgrow or grow in different directions from one another.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 TLB

9. When I wrote to you before I said not to mix with evil people. 10. But when I said that I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who live in sexual sin or are greedy cheats and thieves and idol worshipers. For you can’t live in this world without being with people like that. 11. What I meant was that you are not to keep company with anyone who claims to be a brother Christian but indulges in sexual sins, or is greedy, or is a swindler, or worships idols, or is a drunkard, or abusive. Don’t even eat lunch with such a person.

2. Sometimes distance is good. However, you still have a commandment to forgive, love, and give others what they may not deserve because you receive from God what you do not deserve every day.

Relationships are messy! You haven’t developed a good & healthy relationship until you’ve encountered disagreement

Finally, sometimes we don’t get to choose who we are in a relationship with. Many work or even live with people they don’t know, may not like, or just may not be their type of person, like relatives, neighbors, co-workers, or bosses. This does not permit you to act like they don’t exist, especially if you have to depend on them to conduct your job effectively.

Learning or sharpening your skills on how you relate to those around you is essential to not only your witness as a Christian but also to your peace!

We’re going to spend time ministering on healthy conduct within relationships. We’ve narrowed down the top 4 ingredients to healthy relationships:

1. Effective communication
2. Conflict resolution
3. Addressing expectations
4. Establishing and enforcing boundaries.

Foundation Scripture

The book of Colossians houses the foundations of Linked UP Church’s vision. How we relate to God, ourselves, each other, and our community is, what we believe, to be the essence of God’s Will for our lives

LOVE is the foundation of any healthy relationship, whether personal, spatial, casual, or professional.

Love is defined as “one desiring and protecting the best interest of another regardless of their actions, response, and/or attitude.”

The evidence of love can be found in the Fruit of the Spirit…

We cannot expect to be loved when we’re not willing or inclined to give the same, even when they don’t deserve it, because WE ALWAYS want love even when we don’t deserve it.

God gave us the #1 creative force that separates us from animals (aside from a Spirit) which is the ability to communicate and fully express thoughts, ideas, emotions, knowledge, etc.

Most people can talk or communicate. But communicating effectively is often missed, overlooked, or neglected. Effective communication also requires intentionality and attention. We tend just to say things expecting another to understand, but their interpretation of what you said may not necessarily reflect what was meant.

James 3:2-3 TLB

2. If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way. 3. We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in his mouth.

James 3:5-8

5. So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark. 6. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness and poisons every part of the body. And the tongue is set on fire by hell itself and can turn our whole lives into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster.
7. Men have trained, or can train, every kind of animal or bird that lives and every kind of reptile and fish, 8. but no human being can tame the tongue. It is always ready to pour out its deadly poison.

2. Watch your words. If you don’t have anything good (healthy or constructive) to say, then it’s best not to say anything at all.

3. Comebacks impede progress. Your quick-witted response or “clap back” does not get you to your goal.

Proverbs 12:18 Voice

18. Thoughtless words cut deeply like a thrusting sword,
but the speech of the wise is a healing balm.

Proverbs 13:3 Voice

3. Those who guard their speech insure they will take another breath,
but those who talk without thinking guarantee their demise.

Proverbs 13:17-18 TLB

17. An unreliable messenger can cause a lot of trouble. Reliable communication permits progress. 18. If you refuse criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you are on the road to fame.

Taming the tongue:
1. Count to ten before speaking.
2. Is what you’re about to say fruitful to your end goal, or will it worsen the situation?
3. Is the person in an emotional state to hear/listen to the heart of what you want to express?
4. Are you in an emotional position to express yourself effectively?
5. Realize that it’s ok to revisit a conversation when it’s more conducive to growth.
6. Practice building others up more than you criticize.
7. Earn the right to share correction, criticism, or advice.