Apostle Duane Swilley preaches on a new series about the levels of relationships that are provided to us by the Lord for us to be in covenant with.
Mark 10:9 NKJV
9 Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Ruth 1:16-18 NIV
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
1 Samuel 18:1-3 NKJV
18 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
Principle: Every covenant relationship must bring glory to God, and must have a purpose.
Principle: If you’re in covenant with someone, it’s because they have something to give to you and you have something to give to them. It’s to build the Kingdom.
Principle: A problem is created when you go into other areas in a covenant relationship that it was not meant to provide.
Five levels of relationships
Principle: Every relationship you have must be defined in one of these five areas.
1. Your relationship with God.
Matthew 23:11 NKJV
11 He who is the greatest servant of all.
Exodus 20:3 NKJV
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
Principle: If you put anyone above God they are an idol. God will not bless that and you will be vulnerable to the enemies attacks.
Amos 3:3 NKJV
3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Principle: If the relationship begins to pull you away from your devotion to God, it is doomed to destroy the foundation of everything in your life.
Psalms 127:1 NKJV
1 Unless the Lord build the house the labor in vain that build it.
Principle: Every true covenant relationship brings glory to God.
Principle: In oneness you take on the other persons’ spirit and soul.
John 17:21 NKJV
21 Father make them one as we are one.
Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
15 He was touched with every feeling…
2. Your covenant of marriage, or your covenant with brothers or sisters in the faith, God has joined you too.
Principle: In this level of relationship there can be completly vulnerability, and transparent. A new person is formed in the chemistry of this union. These are proven over time and through difficult circumstances.
Principle: Level two relationship is when destinies match up, belief systems match up, and growth matches up.
3. Your covenant with most brothers and sisters in the faith, is limited vulnerability and limited transparency… as the Spirit leads.
Principle: These relationships are usually the sharing of gifts and fruit, but you must be careful to understand why God gave the covenant. What is the purpose? It is not oneness, but there is certainly influence on both parties.
Principle: If you have a level three relationship, what is the purpose of it and what are the boundaries?
4. Your covenant with those you mentor and help disciple.
Principle: In this level there is no vulnerability here and limited transparency. You are only transparent for the good of the disciple or the mentee.
Principle: These relationships are a responsibility that God gives you. They are not an equal.
Principle: We don’t make babies we don’t intend to raise.
Principle: Follow me and I will make you…Follow me as I follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV
11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Principle: Remember, these people might be babies in the faith or they might just be immature.
5. Your covenant responsibility to those in the world who do not know Jesus. Please make sure your children understand this.
Principle: For God, so love the world he gave…
John 3:16 NKJV
16 For God so loved the world that He gave…
Principle: He expected nothing in return.
Principle: In this level of relationship, there is no covenant. You would be unequally yoked.
2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
Principle: Your purpose is to influence, never to be influenced. The strategy always must be to help them find God through Jesus our Savior.
What category do your relationships fall into?
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