(Proverbs 17:24 GN) “An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.”
God wants me to move within His purposes.
Title of My Message: Friendships Pt. 1
“What kind of life do you want?"
“Why don’t you have it?”
(Matthew 5:48) “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
(Matthew 5 Message) “When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.”
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God.”
“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, ‘Grow up.’ You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity.”
Growth Questions:
1. Am I willing to change?
(2 Corinthians 5:17-18) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ…"
2. Am I willing to put others first?
(Mark 9:35) “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
3. Am I willing to let go of the past?
(1 Corinthians 13:5) “(Love)… keeps no record of wrongs.”
(Colossians 3:13) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
4. Am I willing to live for the other person’s good?
(John 15:13) “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
5. Am I willing to value people?
(Ecclesiastes 4:9) “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.”
