2. JOURNEY into “Better Relationships” Closeness Is Required

3. Journey into “better Relationships” TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS “JOURNEY” “U” MUST BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED

4. Building Solid and Sure Our business is not to build quickly, but to build upon a right foundation, and right spirit. Life is more than a mere competition as between men and women; it is not who can work best; it is not who can rise highest in the shortest time, but who is working most patiently and lovingly in accordance with the designs of God.

5. TRIVIA QUESTION Who made a seven-day marriage feast but never married the woman he intended and, Why?

6. TRIVIA answer What gruesome object did Saul require from David as dowry for his daughter? “a hundred (100) Philistine” “Foreskins” 1 Sam. 18:25,27 “Saul replied, ‘Say to David,’ ‘The king want no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines….David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king’s son-n- law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage”

7. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships In the Body of Christ it is the standard that we, The Church, agree to disagree Interpretation of Scripture is perhaps our most common of occurrences Our actions during those disagree- ments indicate just the kind of closeness to our God we have 1Cor. 13:8 “Love never fails…”

8. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships So Paul offers this… Rom. 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with every- one” Make every effort, as best that is in you, to get along with others. Don’t be taken out by the petty things that are so common Law & Order must prevail…1Cor. 14:40 “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” The Church was never meant to be in an uproar or doing things “All Willey- Nilley”. It’s important that order reigns for the “Holy Spirit” to dwell!!

9. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships If you are to be eager; Be… 1Cor. 12:31 “But eagerly desire the greater gifts” The greater gifts are those that are more beneficial to the Body of Christ. Paul has already made it clear that one gift is not superior to another, but he urges the believers to discover how they can serve Christ’s body with the gifts God has given them. Your Spiritual gifts are not for your own self-advancement. They were given to you for serving God and enhancing the spiritual growth of the Body of Believers

10. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence A. 1 st, Love is more important than prophecies (1Cor. 13:8b) “…But where there are prophecies, they will cease;…” Love will always be around because God will always be around; He is e- ternal. The Word clearly states prophecy will cease or stop. Be- cause the Word also states, in 1 John God is Love, and He ain’t going nowhere

11. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence A. 1 st, Love is more important than prophecies 1. Purpose of prophecy… 1Cor. 14:3 “But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their _____________, _____________ and _______” a) Each of us has prophetic potential… 1Cor. 14:1 “Follow the way of love and ea- gerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy” When all three of the uses of prophecy come out of you; Bless your God; for He has used you in a prophetic way strengtheningencouragementcomfort

12. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence A. 1 st, Love is more important than prophecies 1. Purpose of prophecy… b) Pulpit power…1Cor. 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church” When God’s Word is taught and preached, wonderful things hap- pen, such as correction, encourage- ment, comfort, and spiritual growth. And the Church is lifted up!!!

13. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence B. 2 nd, Love is more important than Tongues (1Cor. 13:8c) “…where there are tongues, they will be stilled…” Because the “tongue” is individual in its presence of one person involvement; whereas love is all encompassing 1. All were amazed…Acts 2:6-8 “When they heard this sound, a crowd came to- gether in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utter- ly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his native language’”

14. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence B. 2 nd, Love is more important than Tongues 2. Believers vs. Unbelievers… 1Cor. 14:22 “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbeliev- ers; prophecy, however, is for belie- vers, not for unbelievers” God’s design is clear as to how the church is to operate where this is concerned!! C. 3 rd, Love is more important than Bible Knowledge (1Cor. 13:8d) “…where there is knowledge, it will pass away”

15. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence C. 3 rd, Love is more important than Bible Knowledge Spiritual knowledge without a wor- shipful spirit is to be to smart for your own good; you can’t love and that makes you empty & void 1. The Omniscient God…Hab. 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” Because of His all consuming glory; nothing can stand against it. Hence all that we know and understand will cease to be

16. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships I.Category of Excellence C. 3 rd, Love is more important than Bible Knowledge 2. Love beyond compare… Matt. 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me’” Make sure the least of them is included in your journey up the King’s Highway

17. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships !!The trappings of Knowledge!! In order for a better relationship with those that I differ with; I must consider my approach to them from their point of view, so that a better understanding is gained. And without question for me I must be very cautious of the knowledge aspect in my spiritual walk. It must be tempered with the coating that “love” provides. All consuming study without the flavor of love makes you a useless Know-It-All 1Cor. 10:32 “Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—”

18. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships THE PHRASE THAT PAYS!!!!!!!!!! MY FAITH WILL NEVER RISE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF MY CONFESSION

19. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships B.asic I.nformation B.efore L.eaving E.arth

20. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships WHAT IT SAYS This is my Bible, I am who my Bible say I am, I can do what my Bible say I can do. I have what my Bible say I have, my Bible teaches my spirit, my spirit teaches my mind, and my mind teaches my body. My Bible is full of promises and command- ments, my Bible has good and bad examp- les. How do I know my Bible is true? By comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual things. I study my Bible to show myself approved, rightly dividing the Word of God.

21. Journey into “Better Relationships” how To improve Your Christian Relationships Next Week!!!! how To Build Relationships that last forever