FOL RCCG

THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD
FOUNTAIN OF LOVE PARISH, 44 AGEGE MOTOR ROAD, MOSHALASI, MUSHIN

THEME: KEEPING AND MAINTAINING GOD’S APPROVED RELATIONSHIPS 26th June 2020

TEXT: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

1. INTRODUCTION:

Relationship is the way in which two or more people or things are connected together. It can also mean the way people, group behave towards or get involved with each other. God orchestrated relationship.

Gen 2:18- God said it is not good for Adam to be alone. God himself used to come and fellowship with Adam and Eve

Gen 3: 8.
Man is created for relationships. Man is wired and created to loving association with one another. Jesus called twelve (12) disciples, ordained them so that they could be with him (in relationship) Mark 3:14.

Unfortunately COVID’19 has being having impact in relationships. Social distancing is one of the protocols and has been having adverse effect. How do we keep and maintain God’s approved relationships with social distancing and other restrictions? This study is expected to bring us awareness in keeping and maintaining Gods approved type of relationships. Our text confirms that with right relationship there can be greater achievements.

TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS:

Trinitical Relationship – This is the relationship that exists between the God head. This is the relationship that exists between God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Gen 1:2-3. The Bible stated that God created the Earth and all things by the word with the presence of the presence of the spirit of God.
Jesus is the word, John 1:1. They are all one in all.

Jesus said He and the Father are one. John 10:30
Jesus said all the father has belongs to him and all he has belongs to the father. John 17:10
The Holy Spirit is called the Holy Spirit of God and also the spirit of Christ. Eph. 4:30, 1Pet 1:11 and God gave the fullness of the spirit to his Son, John 3:34
They testify of each other John 3:36 and the Son loves the Father and that is why he obeyed the Father completely John 4:31, and even unto death Phil 2:6-8. Multiply, replenish the earth and to dominate all his creation.
Gen 1:26-28

God and Man – Man was created in the image of God with full authority to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and to dominate all his creation. Gen 1:26-28

* God’s relationship with man started with Adam and Eve. They used to fellowship together Gen 2:8-9. After the fall in the Garden of Eden, man lost that sweet relationship with God.
God set up a redemptive plan and activate it by entering into a relationship with Abraham, Gen 12:1-3.

God called Abraham ‘His Friend’ indicating the level of relationship between him and Abraham. Isaiah 41:8.Abraham be called a friend of God because of his faith in God, James 2:23. He believed God that what he said he would do, He shall do it and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

*Abraham friendship grew as a result of the knowledge of God and his obedience to God. By this he kept maintaining that friendship even in the midst of trials.

We too can also become a friend of God by accepting in by faith , walking in faith and in obedience to Him, Heb. 11:8-9, Gen 22: 1- 8. By faith, we are saved through grace Eph. 2:8, Acts 16:31, and by faith we keep on maintaining our relationship. Despite the pandemic, we must believe God and his words. We must walk by faith not by sight. 2Cor 5:7, Heb. 11:16.

Abraham obeyed the Lord totally and walked with him in obedience, Gen 22:1-18. God told him to sacrifice his son that he loved and he obeyed until God made a substitute of ram. Heb.11:19 confirmed that he believed that God was able to raise Isaac the child he wanted to use as sacrifice.

Jesus said we are his friends, if we do what he commanded us to do. John 15:14.
Abraham had the knowledge of God and grow in that knowledge.
In Gen 12:1-3, when God called him, His knowledge of God was limited.
In Gen 17: 1- Abraham knew God as the Almighty
In Gen 18: 14- God told him that there is nothing too hard for Him
In Gen 22:14- Abraham knew God as Jehovah – Jireh, the one that can provide.
God was so particular about revealing secrets to Abraham His friend. Gen 18:17. When God was going to destroy S***m and Gomorrah, Abraham and God entered into series of ‘Chats’ with Abraham pleading for the city and its inhabitants. That is what strong friendship with God can do.

Jesus said He revealed all he heard from His father to the disciples who he called friends, John 14:15.
As believers we must have the deep knowledge of God through His word and by drawing near Him day by day. Acts 17:27. We are enjoined to grow in the knowledge of God. 2Peter 3:18. Grace and peace is multiplied unto us through the knowledge of Christ. 2 Pet1:1-2. We need grace to live during this time and we need to rest in His peace and this can only be gotten if our knowledge of Him as the Prince of Peace and God of Grace. Maintaining our relationship with God is dependent on our faith and our knowledge of Him

God loved Abraham and he in turn loved Him.
Abraham loved God so that every command of God he obeyed, no matter how difficult it was. It is only one who loved God that can obey Him totally 1John 5:3. Jesus said ‘If you love me, you will obey my commandment and he that loveth him, shall be loved by the father and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 14:21

If we keep on loving and obeying His commandment, our relationship will be deepened and maintained with God. Irrespective of whatever is happening, we must obey the command of the Lord.

CONCLUSION

Today we have looked at two relationships. One is ever constant while the one between God and you need to be strengthened.
It is my Prayer that you will rise above the events of this day and deepen your relationship with God.