Friendships
Many of us secretly hope that becoming a Christian won’t affect our preexisting friendships. But the natural and necessary division that Jesus promised is inescapable (Mt.10:34-37; Lk.12:51). Yes, we will still
Friendship
Solidifying Our Relationships
Because God intends our relationships in the church to be marked by a quality that the world cannot match, we must be serious about building friendships that are uniquely loving, loyal, and encouraging.
October 2, 2024
Questions in this episode: – How do you describe to someone who believes that it is ok to be nude in front of others that it is wrong? – A friend is owed money from another friend who hasn’t shown any interest in paying him, I suggested he let it go and give it to …
Questions & Answers 2022-Part 3
Pastor Mike answers questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Questions in this session: Is it a sin for professing Christians to not read the Bible? Is belief in the sign gifts a secondary issue in the Christian life or is it salvific? How do we navigate friendship versus a dating relationship between Christian men …
Providing Godly Encouragement to Your Friends
We have a God-given responsibility to care for our Christian friends in the church, by humbly being used by God to encourage them as they follow Christ.
Patience & Forgiveness
Because for now our Christian friendships will be periodically marked by insensitive actions and sinful transgressions, we must for Christ’s sake resolve ahead of time to reflect God’s patience and forgiveness.
Kindness & Encouragement
Out of sincere love for our Christian friends we ought to regularly engage in strategic acts of kindness that benefit their lives, and communicate thoughtful words of encouragement that build them up.
Acceptance & Hospitality
Because we are made in God’s image we all were designed to be openly sharing our lives with a select group of friends who are pursuing the same spiritual goals.
What the Church Can Do For You
Your church is committed to providing you with the leadership, teaching, oversight, and environment to enhance, foster, and protect your spiritual life.
Your Fraternity of Hearers
As Christ modeled in his own life, we must highly value and consistently invest in friendships with those who continue to demonstrate their commitment to obeying God’s word.
Devoted to Encouragement
God wants to use us in his ministry of encouragement (2Cor.7:6) as we make ourselves available to walk with others from our church through their pain.
Making Sure You’re Making a Difference
Always seek to make a positive and godly impact on those you call your friends.
Protecting Our Friendships with Agape Love
We must guard our friendships by expressing our life in tangible ways – acts of welfare, unity and gratitude.
Practicing Wholehearted Forgiveness
We can never be real friends with imperfect people until we learn to forgive quickly and completely.
Cultivating Genuine Kindness
God expects his church to become a network of kind and caring friends that reflects his kind and caring friendship with us.
Strained Relations
We must never neglect our responsibility to live peacefully & harmoniously with our siblings in Christ!
Friends? Who Needs ‘Em?
Christian friendship is an indispensable aspect of the Christian life that requires our most serious commitments.