Upside Down Relationships

Upside Down Relationships

03/27/2021 - Phil Woodman

Key Passages: Matthew 22:35-39, Philemon

Matthew 22:35-39

Jesus invited us to live with God 

• Galatians 4:7 - no longer slaves

• John 15:15 - friends of God

• Do you find yourself trying to earn God’s love?

• Genesis 1:27- we are created in God’s image

• 1 Timothy 2:3 - God wants to have a relationship with all of us.

Love Your Enemies

• Matthew 5:43 - have you heard the law that says ‘loves your neighbor’ but hate your enemy?

  • Leviticus 19:18 - what’s missing?

• Matthew 5:43-47

  • Called to something new and different.

  • We shouldn’t have enemies.

Rethinking the way we see others

• Philemon 8-10

  • What would you do if you were Philemon?

• Philemon 15-18

  • What’s our attitude towards the people who have wronged us?

What do you need to do?

• Do you need a heart check?

• Do something

  • How have you made the opportunity to point people to Jesus?

Why Child Dedication?

Why Child Dedication?
Baptism Sunday 5/9/21
Key passage: Psalm 127

Child dedication is not a baptism

• we practice believer’s baptism. (See last week)

Child dedication is not a guarantee 

• not a guarantee of salvation

Why child dedication?

It reminds us of both the miracle and value of human life.

• Genesis 2:7 - humanity was created by God Himself.

• Genesis 1:26-28 - humanity was created in the image of God.

We’re recognizing and affirming that children are a gift from God

• Psalm 127:3 - a special reward

• Psalm 127:5 - a blessing

To acknowledge the challenge and responsibility of being a parent

• Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them and model for them.

• Ephesians 6:4 - train and instruct

• Deuteronomy 6:5 - a personal practice that you pass down.

Child dedication places children in the context of a larger family… God’s!

• The church has a responsibility (you, all of us)

• Philippians 2:3-4 - we are a family

• Romans 12:10 - be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

It’s an opportunity for parents to surrender their child to God’s will and mission.

• what is it that you want most for your daughter or son?

• 1 Samuel 1 - Hannah and Samuel

Racism and Our Response

Racism
• 2 Chronicles 20:12

Racism exists.

Racism is wrong.
• Genesis 1:27

Repent.
• 1 John 1:9

Listen.
• James 1:19
• Proverbs 1:5

Pursue.
• Galatians 3:28
• Ephesians 2:14-15

Embrace.
• 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a Strategize.
•1 Chronicles 12:32
• Amos 5:24

“In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted on the Negro, I have watched white churches stand on the sideline and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.