Hindrances to Relationship - Eddie and Beth Taylor
Hindrances to Relationship
Grace Tabernacle - July 9, 2023
(Eddie)
Good news:
Genesis 2:23-25 (NKJV) And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." [24] Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. [25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Perfect relationship. Deep connection. Real intimacy.
Goal for not only marriage / all relationships
Amos 3:3 (NKJV) Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Why aren’t we living it? Simple word: SIN
- Adam & the woman sinned. Introduced sin into the human race. It affects every relationship.
There are HINDRANCES TO Connection….but here is the Good news:
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection.
Today we want to look at several hindrances to connection in the Genesis 3 account and how to overcome them.
(BETH)
HINDRANCE 1 : DECEPTION
Genesis 3:1-5 (NKJV) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" [2] And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; [3] but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " [4] Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Deception blocks connection
- (v.1) “The serpent was more cunning” People aren’t your enemy…the enemy is the enemy. (John 8:44/John 10:10)
o Not your spouse.
o Not your kids
o Not your boss or coworkers
o Not your pastor
- The enemy is the enemy
She started right…she rehearsed the truth (vv3-5
o Lie 1: “did God really say” - yes, He did.
o Lie 2: don’t touch (nowhere in Bible) God is not author of confusion
o Lie 3: “you will not die” (they did... spiritually first, relationally second, finally physically)no death gene.
o Lie 4: “You will be like God” (they already were!)
Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
- Good news: Jesus is perfect truth
John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection .
(EDDIE) – Eden (Pleasure)
HINDRANCE 2: PRIDE, LUST & TEMPTATION
First, don’t talk with snakes.
Genesis 3:6 (NKJV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
- They gave into temptation. Why?
- NT gives answers:
James 1:14 (NKJV) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
1 John 2:16 (NKJV) For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
- She was good for food (lust of flesh)
- She saw pleasant for the eyes (lust of eyes)
- Desirable to make one wise (sinful pride of life)
They took the bait…
Your pride and lust tempt you to:
- take advantage of others
- mistrust others
- deceive others
Listen to Proper pronouns: “I feel… vs. you always”
Better way: the way of humble service.
Humility gives us both the entrance to and the ability to stay in deep connection/intimate relationships.
We must prefer one another.
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV) [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Good news: Jesus empowers us to accept/ prefer one another
Romans 12:10 (NKJV) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
One step: Find a place to serve. Food Pantry?
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection .
(BETH)
HINDRANCE 3: RELIGION
Genesis 3:7 (NKJV) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God and his people through Jesus Christ.
Christianity is God reaching for man. False Religion is man trying to earn connection with God.
Good news: Jesus didn’t come to fix you, He came to LOVE you.
Romans 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
One step: Build community, join a small group
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection .
(EDDIE)
HINDRANCE 4: SHAME
Genesis 3:8 (NIV) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
In the South we say “shame on you”. Beth and I here to announce
SHAME OFF YOU !!!
Good news: Jesus’ blood destroys shame.
Romans 5:5 (NIV) And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
One step: Freedom small group
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection.
(BETH)
HINDRANCE 5: FEAR
Genesis 3:9-10 (NKJV) Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" [10] So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
(Every form: panic, worry, anxiety, dread)
Good news: Jesus’ love cast out all fear.
1 John 4:18 (NKJV) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection.
(EDDIE)
HINDRANCE 6: BLAME SHIFTING
Genesis 3:11-12 (NKJV) And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" [12] Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.
Genesis 3:6b (NKJV) …she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
-he didn’t take any responsibility for standing there. He should have spoken up.
Blame shifting ties you and everyone around you up in bondage.
Good news: Jesus’ love sets us free.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
(Beth)
Conclusion: The Antidote to Barriers to Intimacy – Blood of Jesus
Genesis 3:21 (NKJV) Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
-first blood sacrifice
John 1:29 (NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
-Lion and lamb
Big Idea: Jesus’ blood removes every hindrance to connection .