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UNCOVERING FAITH & FRIENDS


Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

Message By: Pastor Jonathan Lord

Series: UNCOVERING LOST TREASURES

"Uncovering Faith & Friends"

1. HOW DOES FRIENDSHIP GROW?

  • TALK – How Friendship Begins

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NASB)

  • TIME – Increases as the Friendship Grows

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 NIV)

  • TRUST – Proven as the Friendship Grows

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6 NIV)

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9 NIV)

-OR-

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. (Proverbs 27:9 ESV)

  • TRANSPARENCY – True Friendship is Being Truly Known

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16 NASB)

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NASB)

2. IF IT’S THAT EASY, WHY DON’T I HAVE MORE FRIENDS?

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV)

  • Are YOU the kind of friend that you wish someone would be to you?

  • Are YOU the kind of friend (a friend you would want) would want?

  • Is the kind of friend you’re looking for looking for a friend like you?

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

3. THE PARADOX OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP: WE WANT IT BUT WE’RE AFRAID OF IT

THE DEEPEST DESIRES OF OUR HEART ARE TO BE FULLY KNOWN AND TO BE FULLY LOVED. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE FEAR THAT IF WE WERE FULLY KNOWN, WE COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE FULLY LOVED.

[Jesus speaking] You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:14-15 NIV)

Life Group Discussion:

  1. List 4-5 people (not related to you) that you completely trust.

  2. Why was this list so hard (or easy) for you?

  3. Have you ever been “burned” by a friend? Share as much detail as you are comfortable.

  4. Are you a good friend? Why or why not? How can you improve?

  5. Is your Life Group a safe place to take off your “mask”? Discuss.

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