Making Friends as a Christian (3)
Notes
Transcript
8. MAKING FRIENDS AS A CHRISTIAN
8. MAKING FRIENDS AS A CHRISTIAN
Proverbs 18:24
I. THE PURPOSE OF FRIENDSHIP
I. THE PURPOSE OF FRIENDSHIP
A. Company—1 John 1:7. As we follow Christ, we have fellowship with Him; but we also have fellowship with other Christians.
A. Company—1 John 1:7. As we follow Christ, we have fellowship with Him; but we also have fellowship with other Christians.
B. Conversation—Ps. 133:1. There must be unity in order to have friendship. Division destroys friendship.
B. Conversation—Ps. 133:1. There must be unity in order to have friendship. Division destroys friendship.
II. THE PATTERN OF FRIENDSHIP
II. THE PATTERN OF FRIENDSHIP
A. Confidence—Ps. 41:9. You cannot have friends if you cannot be trusted. You must learn to keep secrets.
A. Confidence—Ps. 41:9. You cannot have friends if you cannot be trusted. You must learn to keep secrets.
B. Conversation—“An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (Prov. 16:28 LB).
B. Conversation—“An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (Prov. 16:28 LB).
C. Control—Prov. 22:24. If you cannot control yourself, you will have no friends. Don’t be friends with an angry man.
C. Control—Prov. 22:24. If you cannot control yourself, you will have no friends. Don’t be friends with an angry man.
D. Concern—2 Sam. 9:1. Mephibosheth was a cripple. David gave him special attention since no one would be friendly with him.
D. Concern—2 Sam. 9:1. Mephibosheth was a cripple. David gave him special attention since no one would be friendly with him.
E. Christ-like—Gal. 6:1, 2. We should be willing to bear the burdens of others. Their problems and burdens are ours.
E. Christ-like—Gal. 6:1, 2. We should be willing to bear the burdens of others. Their problems and burdens are ours.
F. Compassion—Prov. 17:17. A friend will love regardless of whatever happens. This is real love and compassion.
F. Compassion—Prov. 17:17. A friend will love regardless of whatever happens. This is real love and compassion.
III. THE PROBLEMS OF FRIENDSHIP
III. THE PROBLEMS OF FRIENDSHIP
A. Sins of the tongue
A. Sins of the tongue
1. Gossip—Lev. 19:16; 1 Tim. 5:13. Gossipers going from home to home, saying things they shouldn’t.
1. Gossip—Lev. 19:16; 1 Tim. 5:13. Gossipers going from home to home, saying things they shouldn’t.
2. Whispering—Rom. 1:29–30. Whispering is listed with other sins that will doom man’s soul.
2. Whispering—Rom. 1:29–30. Whispering is listed with other sins that will doom man’s soul.
B. Sinful traits
B. Sinful traits
1. Misunderstanding—Genesis 37. Misunderstanding led to lying and deception by Joseph’s brothers.
1. Misunderstanding—Genesis 37. Misunderstanding led to lying and deception by Joseph’s brothers.
2. Jealousy—Gen. 4:1–9. Never be jealous of your friends.
2. Jealousy—Gen. 4:1–9. Never be jealous of your friends.
3. Bitterness—Eph. 4:31. Bitterness destroys friendship.
3. Bitterness—Eph. 4:31. Bitterness destroys friendship.
4. Meddling—Keep your nose out of other people’s business.
4. Meddling—Keep your nose out of other people’s business.
IV. THE PRAISE OF FRIENDSHIP
IV. THE PRAISE OF FRIENDSHIP
A. Thanks—Phil. 1:3. Be thankful for your friends.
A. Thanks—Phil. 1:3. Be thankful for your friends.
B. Truthful—Exod. 20:16. Be truthful at any cost.
B. Truthful—Exod. 20:16. Be truthful at any cost.
C. Thoughtful—1 Thess. 1:3. Paul thanks those who helped him in his work.
C. Thoughtful—1 Thess. 1:3. Paul thanks those who helped him in his work.
Croft M. Pentz, Christian Life Outlines, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), 19–20.