God in my Everything - Friends

Many influences in our modern culture make us feel more alone than ever, leaving us unskilled at real friendships and unprepared for the commitment that true friendships require. Real friendship is crucial for physical, psychological, and spiritual health. We need it not only for comradery, but also to form virtue in us – we need people who know & love us enough to speak truth into our lives. Spiritual friends are those who share a commitment to grow in Christ.
                                                     

Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

1 Samuel 18:1-4

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself… And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, 14-18
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing… And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

A FRIEND COMMITS

A FRIEND LIFTS YOU UP

A FRIEND LETS YOU IN

A FRIEND SPEAKS THE HARD TRUTH
Things that foster real friendship: Play, Face to Face Contact, Service, and Prayer. To find a spiritual friend: Pray for it, take the initiative to invite people to do things with you – see if anything further develops. BE a friend. People who genuinely show the kind of friendship described above are precious and increasingly rare. Eventually someone will value it in you

This sermon series draws upon the work of Ken Shigematsu and his book, “God in my Everything” You can see it here:
https://www.amazon.com/God-My-Everything-Ancient-Rhythm/dp/0310499259/