Strength in Number Week 3

Introduction

How many of you have looked through and old yearbook? In honor of that, I have some old photos for us to look at(show old Lakeside Photos)

Usually, we have two reactions:

1. “I looked like such a goober!”

2. “Dang, I used to hang out with that person all the time!”

Those are pretty standard responses to an old yearbook.

And then, on the back of the yearbook, you know-the place where everyone signs it, someone always writes something like “Best friends forever!”…But that isn’t always true, is it?

I had a buddy named Joshua. (tell about Joshua Austin-Wrestle, jump trash cans, play A-Team)

Then Josh moved and our friendship began to quickly fade.

Tension

Many of us have experience this before. Sometimes friendships last for a lifetime. But sometimes they only last for a semester. There are lots of factors that contribute to that:

-Making a team your friend doesn’t make

-NOT making a team that all your friends make

-having to go to tutoring instead of hanging out

-Parents pushing you in a certain direction

-moving

-changing schools

-divorce

All these things contribute. Sometimes when relationships fade they are natural and amicable. Other times they are painful because someone has hurt the other person. But, the good news is that both of these scenario’s are totally normal, and you are not the only person going through it.

Truth

Paul encourages us to do whatever we can to be at peace in our relationships…regardless of how the other person acts.

Romans 12:17–18 ESV

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

What does that mean? it means this: when you are wronged by a friend, don’t hurt them back…In other words…don’t seek revenge. Revenge is the Lords. our job is simple: Do what is honorable in the sight of all

Paul had many fading friendships. he even lost a friend because they disagreed on how to minister the Gospel…They fought over Jesus…and they were on the same team.

Conflict happens. Its part of life. But the way you deal with that conflict means everything. Do you do all things honorably? Or do you seek earthly revenge?

When someone is wrong, you show grace

when someone is hurtful, you show kindness

This is how we are honorable to all men

Landing

Every relationship goes through seasons. Some last forever and some for a school year. You dont always get to choose how long those relationships will last, or how they will end. But, you do get to choose how you will respond.

Question as you leave: How are you chosing to respond to a fading friendship?