Friends

“Friend” Issues

SLIDE- A 2004 study published in the American Sociological Review revealed that the average number of trusted friends fell by a third in the past 20 years and the proportion of people with no confidants had doubled.

Not having close confidants or friends can be as detrimental to your health as being overweight or smoking.

The last 3 weeks we focused on being a friend to sinners. 

• Pray
• What to say & how to say it

No e-mails. What about friends in the church?

With the last 3 weeks and then the next 2 I want create a vision for us. 

SLIDE- “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’’  John 13:34-35

2 things

• Friends of one another
• Friend of sinners
• As Christians we are called to “love one another.”
• “All people will know this” only when we invite them in.
•  It is both / and.

What is a Healthy Church?    Made up of Healthy/ Mature People

SLIDE- GRACE & PEACE to OTHERS, The Grace & Peace you have received is to live in Biblical community with other believers and live out towards those who do not believe.

What is a friend? 

SLIDE-  Friend: a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another person. Webster

SLIDE- People who are aware of how ridiculous you are and still manage to be seen in public with you. 

• People who make you laugh till you pee your pants. 
• Knows at least one of your internet passwords.
• When you don’t have enough money to get an ice cream, they chip in. Urban Dictionary 

SLIDE Friend: ‘‘Figure things out together.’’ ‘‘You have lots of team work.’’ Vinny Grossi 

SLIDE- Please turn to Col. 4:7, pg. 985

• Context, Will get a little deeper into the text next week.
• What you have is Paul listing trusted people.

So what’s the balance with being a friend of sinners vs. growing as a Christian? Is it all outreaching? 

SLIDE- Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

• -1st Century Athenian Comedy, Menander (writer)

SLIDE- Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Testimony, WHat did I have to do to “stop sinning” .

• – Jesus takes sin seriously
• “Cut off your hand, poke out your eye”
• – Go to bible study every night. What I had to do. But when do I enter back in? When can I hang with “those guys” again?
• -Get back in (Titus, as friend)

What does the bible say about Friendship? 

Slide- A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

SLIDE- Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

SLIDE- Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

Testimony,  Trina- Scott – Phil – George – Bryan – Craig, , , , , ,

-In keeping with the vision, what I believe we are called to. 

SLIDE- “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’’John 13:34-35 Do you have friends at his church?

• -Do you love the people here?
  • -As Christians this is a no brainer. Of course
• –Do you like the people Here? 
  • -It makes no sense if we don’t 
• Why are friendships so hard? 
  • -Fall, Sin, Grace= Gospel= Peace
  • -Thrusts us to being friends with God.
  • -God doesn’t just love us, he likes us. 

SLIDE- No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

• -Effects our relationship with others
  • Where do we start?
    •  GRACE
    • Forgive, have mercy,
    • Time
      • “Simplify your life to be a friend.“
    • Intentionality

SLIDE- “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’’ John 13:34-35

Sermon Slides