Interpersonal Relationships

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Interpersonal Relationships

• A Christian Perspective

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Our view of God determines how we see
relationships

• Atheism ? the scientist the sceptic
• Agnosticism ? the philosopher the seeker
• Polytheism ? the multiple-choice person
• Pantheism ? new New Age person
• Theism ? Jews, Muslims, Christians

Man the final authority
Spirits / energy the final authority
God the final authority
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Q What is Christian?

• A mansion with many rooms (C.S. Lewis)
• Main entrance Historical creeds
• Athanasian, Nicene, Apostles Creeds
• Once in entrance hall, you choose a door
• Denominational doors
• Cross-sections from various denominations
• Charismatic movement is an example
• Lord and Saviour movement is another example

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Lord and Saviour Cross-section
Baptist
Catholic
Orthodox
Pentecostal
Reformed
Other
Mansion of Christianity
Door of Creeds Apostles Athanasian Nicene
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Lord and Saviour Christians
Wall of Sin
I
I
Not yet Christian
Obedient Christian
Disobedient Christian
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Christian perspectives on relationships

• Love of God and love neighbour is basic
• Basic love is agape-love
• to desire, choose and act for the highest good
  for God, the other, creation and self
• only possible if Jesus Christ is on the throne
• We need to build basic-love bridges between our
  hearts

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The basic-love bridge between two hearts
K n o w
T r u s t
Se r v e
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How Jesus Christ built relationships
The multitudes
Other people
120
Friends
12
Good friends
3
Very good friends
1
The Father
The smaller the group the more time He spent with
them
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How some build relationships
The multitudes
120
0
1
0
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How does your triangle look?
The multitudes
Friends
Good friends
Best friends
F
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How well do you build basic-love bridges?

• Know
• Trust
• Serve