Believers Church Of Sylvania

Relationship

(John 15:15-16 NLT) .. you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. ...

(Genesis 3:1-4 NLT) The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?"
"Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden," the woman replied. "It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, 'You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.'" "You won't die!" the serpent replied to the woman.

• God is not mad at you, He is grieved for you.

(Genesis 6:6 NKJV) And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (NIV - broke His heart)

(Psalm 78:40 NLT) Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.

Religion Mindset vs Relationship Mindset

Religious Mindset: Only way to get close to God is to do more.
• Something you'll never be able to do!

(John 5:39-40 NIV) You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Religion Mindset vs Relationship Mindset

Relationship Mindset: Receive what Jesus has already done.

(Romans 10:4 NLT) For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

Religion Mindset vs Relationship Mindset

Relationship Mindset: Receive God's love for me.

(Romans 5:8 NLT) But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Religion Mindset vs Relationship Mindset

Relationship Mindset: Focus is on the internal.

(1 Samuel 16:7 NLT) ... Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. \\\ People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

(Hebrews 4:12 NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Relationship Mindset: Obedience is my pleasure.

God's Word are not rules to try and avoid breaking.... It is God's wisdom to His best for me.

(1 John 5:3 NLT) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

THE ANSWER...

• Pursue God the same way He has already pursued you.
(Hebrews 4:14 MSG) 'Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.'

(Hebrews 4:16 NLT) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.