Get on the Friendship | Jump off the Sinking Ship

Introduction

REMEMBER FULL FRIENDSHIPS HAVE 3 “S’s”

~Stick

~Share

~Sharpen

I have never been on a cruise ship but I have always heard that the workers on cruise ships are very kin and serving. Out on the water with access to nothing and no one else, they are serving people. They serve in “treating others the way they want to be treated.”

Has anyone ever heard that saying? “Treat others the way they wanted to be treated.” Where have you heard it?

This idea was first addressed in the Bible: Luke 6:31 “31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Today’s points can easily be copied by the world and deceived into sounding Godly. As we go through them I want you to see how Christ characteristics stand out.

Let’s pick up at verse 32 | Luke 6:32–36 “32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

To get on the friendship, to make friendships, it is not about what everyone can do for you. If you want people to be friendly to you, be friendly to them first!

People Want to be Accepted

Jesus called His disciples “friends.” They were not perfect friends but they were his friends. Jesus accepted them. Jesus accepted their sin? NO!!!

Jesus accepted them as person who had a soul, not as live your life the way you want to live. They were not judged on how they looked or occupation: fisherman, tax collectors, doctor.

One pastor said: “Jesus does not change us so He can love us. Jesus loves us so He can change us.” A friend is someone who accepts a person but you may not approve of their lifestyle.

People Want to be Acknowledged

Jesus gave His attention to the disciples. He shared with them. They lived life together. How do you get to someones heart? What you say goes to the ear, and ends in the heart.

It’s like us when we have airpods or headphones in, and our friend starts talking: food, game, etc

Active listneing is a God like quality. It’s not something that God just expects of us, but He demonstrates for us. Psalm 34:15 “15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.” God’s eyes and ears on you. If we want to be a fiend like Jesus, acknowledge your friend

Psalm 116:1 “1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.”

When you acknowledge someone, you are saying they are important to you!

People Want to be Appreciated

Want to get on the friendship, find something about a person and compliment them. One of the greatest psychologist, William James, in all of history stated, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

To get on a friendship, be one that appreciates. Our speaker for DNOW, Austin, received the cards yall wrote. Many of them involved thanking him for coming. He talk a solid 10 minutes about the encouraging cards. Appreciation impacts and and excites!

People Want to be Affirmed

We live in a negative world that is very discouraging. To get on the friendship, people want to be affirmed that you care, that you love, that you are there.

Some people struggle to get on the friendship because they themself have a negative self image. Today, more than ever, there are students who have anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts because of how they look at themself. Some think that people at them like nobodys. Some think if they are dead, then they will be seen.

It is actually technology, that has created an isolated world where we can completely separate. In this isolated world, we begin to feel unloved, unwanted, and uncared for.

Simple affirmation, can go a long way.

Proverbs 11:9 “9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.”

EVIL WORDS DESTROY - GODLY SKILL REBUILDS

Romans 12:15 “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

In the hardest times of life, when we go through the deepest pain that just hurts, people are interested in a friend that will be there affirming, holding them up.

In the greatest times of life, when we go through exciting times, people are interested in a friend that will be there rejoicing with them.

Closing

I shared in the title of Jumping off the Sinking Ship. What is the balance of be a friend like Jesus but keeping a distant from sin?

Proverbs 12:26 “26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 “33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.””

If we become deeply involved with non-Christians, we are setting ourselves up for turmoil. It can cause the Christian to stumble in his walk, fall back into a sinful life, and also turn others away from God.

If you are a christian in the room, and you are deeply involved with a friend that is a non-christian — YOU ARE ON A SINKING SHIP. It’s time to go.

What is the game plan for the sinking ship?

-HONESTY IS A WITNESS FOR CHRIST

-KINDNESS IS AN INVITATION TO CHRIST

2 Timothy 2:24-26 tells us that as servants of the Lord, we are to be kind to and not quarrel with anyone. We should gently teach those who oppose the truth, and be patient with difficult people.

Matthew 5:16 tells us, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.”

We should serve unbelievers so that they may see God through us and turn to Him in praise.

James 5:16 says that there is great power in the prayer of a righteous person, so bring your concerns for unbelievers before God, and He will listen.