Remain Open to RElationship
Pray – (1/2 minute)
Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6
Whether the actions of others were intentional or unintentional, you are going to be hurt or disappointed by some people sometime. When Jesus told Simon Peter about Satan’s request to “sift him like wheat”, Simon adamantly and boldly claimed that he would follow Jesus even if meant his own death. Jesus matter-of-factly told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the next morning. One of the strongest things for us to hear in that exchange is Jesus saying, “When you have turned back. . .” Before it ever happened, Jesus was telling Peter that regardless of the disappointment, He saw Peter in a relationship with Him in the future.
One distinct characteristic of God’s patience is that He is always open to people coming back to Him. God loves the number one. In marriage, He makes two become one. In the church, He makes many individuals become one in Christ and He wants them to walk in unity. Satan hates that. He wants to make one become two and he wants unity to become broken with division. Be patient towards others. Even if a relationship is broken by someone’s actions, remain open to the relationship and work to keep unity in the church as a testimony to Christ.
Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)