Greater together covenant relationships

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 Sermon Text:  Gen 2:22 - 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[a] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Sermon Title: Greater Together: CovenantRelationships

Tonight we will study three vignettes so we can learn whether our relationships are godly and glorifying Jesus. 

First, Johnathan and David – 1 Sam 18:1 - 18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

  Their relationship was famous because it resulted in Johnathan defending David against his father Saul and David taking the throne from his friend.  

a) Johnathan and David had a covenantrelationship – 1 Sam 18:3 - 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself

o What is your relationship based on? All relationships have some form of covenant; work offer letter, orhandbook, marriage, marriage license and vows, friends, etc.  

o Good covenant or bad unspoken covenant - 2 Corinthians 6:14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.

o Amos 3:3 - How can two walk together, unless they have agreed to do so.  

o Exodus 23:32  Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

o Holy or unholy covenant 

b) Johnathan and David’s relationship cutacross bloodlines. 1 Sam 19:4 – 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. - 

• Matthew 12:48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 

• Jesus says this on the heels of Mary and his siblings looking for him.  History says at that time James his older brother didn’t believe he was the Messiah.  Jesus decided relationship cut across blood lines if they aren’t going in the same direction.  

c) Johnathan and David had commongoals.  1 Sam 20:4  4 Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.”

• Are you and the person you are in relationship with going in the same direction?  What are you doing about it?  testing, treading or tearing away?

d) Johnathan and David hand a courageous relationship

SECOND – PAUL AND JOHN MARK – Acts 12:25 - 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from[a] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. ​

 him. This is one of the great mentoring stories of all time.  But a quiet event had a significant effect on the relationship between Barnabas and Paul: John Mark, one of the younger team members, deserted the effort and returned home.  As Paul and Barnabas organized their second journey, John Mark signed back on. But Paul refused to take Mark with them, so Barnabas had a decision to make: go with the highly effective and rising star he had launched or help another young champion whom others had written off. For Barnabas, the choice was simple – his career was marked by a refusal to abandon good people who needed sponsorship, encouragement and development. “Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus”(15:39) – and into obscurity.  History show Paul made a better choice about relationship.  Paul chose the mission over an unreliable relationship.  He chose destiny over dependability.  

a) Paul and John Mark relationship was not dependable. Acts 15:39 - 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

• Are you connected to someone who is not dependable.  They are unreliable and they don’t keep their word.  What are you doing about it?  testing, treading or tearing away?

b) Paul and John Mark relationship caused a divide.  Acts 15:39 - 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

• Paul was upset with Mark because he didn’t finish their missionary journey.  Mark couldn’t cut it.  Paul didn’t want quitters – Barnabas was ok.  

c) Paul and John Mark divided but were not divisive.  2 Tim 4:11 - 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

• At the end of Paul’s life, he asked for Mark to be by his side.  

THIRD – JESUS AND JOHN THE BELOVED – John 13:23 - 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.

John served the Lord Jesus Christ, but he also played and hung out with Jesus.

a) John’s relationship with Jesus was at the cross. John 19:26 - 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[a] here is your son,”

• Do you have a relationship with Jesus that includes the cross?  Or is he just a great teacher, philosopher and not the crucified one who saves you from your sin.  

b) John’s relationship with Jesus was his belief in the empty tomb.  John 20:2 - 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

• Do you have an empty tomb relationship with Jesus?  Do you believe, have faith and know you have the victory because Jesus got up?

c) John’s relationship with Jesus could be seen in his everyday activities.  John 21:7 - 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

d) John’s relationship with Jesus was eternal.  

• Will you spend eternity with Jesus or will relationships get in your way. John 21:20 - Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)

Life Application:

1. Asses your relationships

2. Do you have a relationship with Jesus

3. Connect with others to build better relationships

4. Invite some of your relationships to Sunday in the Park