GIRLFRIENDS: Building Relationships That Last

This month I am beginning a new series based loosely on the television series Girlfriends, for our Women's Emphasis Month. The intent of the series is to give Biblically based principles that will allow us to build God honoring relationships that will last.

The first installment is entitled, 'I'm Happy For You!' This sermon had to be broken into two parts, part 1 and part 2. Below is a skeleton of the outline for part 2 of 'I'm Happy For You! '

I pray that this will be a blessing to you as you read and meditate on the Word of God for yourself.

Dr. Gary Smalley, in his book The DNA Of Relationships says that 'Life is relationships; the rest is just details.'

In fact, we were created for relationship. God created us in His image for relationship. Relationship to Him and relationship to each other.

Adopted July, 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, considered to be the 'founding document' of the United States, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by Benjamin Franklin, signed by the 56 delegates of Congress, declared the Thirteen Colonies in North America were "free and independent" states. The most famous phrase of this document is the paragraph that begins , "we find these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, and have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

I want to suggest that true happiness for the Christian, comes when we are in right relationship with God and man.

Luke 1:39-56
I'm Happy For You!

Elizabeth, the wife of Zacharias, had to 'wait and work' for her blessing, while Mary, who was espoused to be married to Joseph, recieved a serendipitous blessing that she neither had to wait for nor work for. It was 'immediate and intimate.' Elizabeth was still 'happy' at the immediate and intimate blessing of her cousin although she had to 'work and wait' for hers.

We pick up the story as Mary, when she hears of the blessing of her cousin Elizabeth, travels to Judea to visit and spend time with her. We begin in vere 39... Here is where Mary shows us the importance of...

vs 39a 'At that time Mary got ready...'
a. Preparing to praise

vs 39b '...and hurried...'
b. Putting a priority on praise

vs 39c '...to a town in the hill country of Judea.'
c. Going to a place of praise

In order to build a relationship that lasts, we should want a friend who...

1. Has Jesus on the inside of them vs 41

2. Is happy about what God has put inside of you vs 42

3. Who will stay with you thru seasons of struggle vs 56

Principle Observations:

Mary teaches us...
God has put in you a blessing that will be a blessing to others.

Elizabeth teaches us...
God has put in you a blessing that will prepare the way for another blessing.

Both women teach us...
God has put in you a blessing that will...

a. Help to save a soul

b. Hope to change your situation

c. Healing to transform your life