1

Today we will begin unfolding scriptural teaching about relational health.Our main text is still Rom 12:2, but here is a second text for today’s message:

Rom 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

How are your relationships?

I. YOUR ______(AND SIBLINGS)?

The first commandment with a promise attached has to do with your parents.Honor your father and mother…(wait for it)…Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.Exo 20:12 NLT

The Hebrew verb used here, kâbêd, kaw-bade’, and translated, “to honor,” oddly enough has two meanings. The bad sense means to be burdensome, severe, or dull. The good sense means to make weighty; toglorify, to promote, to make rich…

Note well, there is no “condition” placed upon this command. It is NOT “Honor your parents IF THEY ARE WORTHY OF HONOR…”

Eph 6:1-3 & Col 3:20; Heb 12:9; Pro 1:8-9:

But, what about those of you who had ______parents?

1. They were ______…drug addicts…

2. They were physically, mentally, sexually, or otherwise ______…negative…you could never please them…

3. They were ______parents…actual atheists or “practical atheists!”

4. They were ______…by choice or not…

There is a solution for those of us who had parents that did not fulfill their God-given roles: It is called ______!

We need what the OT prophet promised:

Mal 4:5-6a “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. NLT

Luke 1:17He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” NLT

When you forgive, God lifts the weight!When you ask for forgiveness, one of ______things can happen:

1. They can say no.

2. They can say yes.

3. They can say nothing.

It is our responsibility to ask; how they respond is between them and God.

†††

CONC:This is a good place to stop for communion.But first, examine your own heart.What needs to be confessed? Whom do you need to forgive? From whom do you need to seek forgiveness?

Next Week: Relational Health, Spouse & Children

Ans: PARENTS; difficult; alcoholic; abusive; atheistic; absent; FORGIVENESS; three.