November 22 2015 Cultivating My Friendships

CULTIVATING MY FRIENDSHIPS

Wiser- Part 6

Proverbs 27:19 (LB) "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.  "

SIX MARKS OF A REAL FRIEND

1. I must be COMMITTED

Proverbs 18:24"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."            

Proverbs 18:24 (GN)"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.  "

2. I must be CONSIDERATE

Proverbs 19:22 (LB) "Kindness makes a man attractive. 

Proverbs 17:9 (LB)  "Love forgets mistakes.  Nagging about them parts the best of friends.  "

3. I must be CONFIDENTIAL

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  "

4. I must be CANDID        

Proverbs 27:5-6 "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds  from a friend can be trusted "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) An honest answer is the sign of a true  friendship.  "

5. I must be CONSTRUCTIVE

Proverbs 27:17 (Knox)"As iron sharpens iron, friend shapes friend    

1 Thessalonians 5:11

6. I must be CONSISTENT

Proverbs 17:17  "A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Romans 5:11 (LB)"Now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God  all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins - making us friends with God!"

October 25 2015 Sermon On The Mouth

Sermon on the Mouth

Memory Verse: Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (LB) 

"Self control means controlling the tongue.

HOW TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

1. THINK  before you speak.

Proverbs 16:23 (GN) "Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say is then more persuasive."

Proverbs 18:20 (GN)"You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say.  "

Proverbs 20:25  "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. 

2. Always speak the TRUTH

Proverbs 10:10 (GN) "Some one who holds back the truth causes trouble.  "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) "An honest answer is the sign of a true friendship."

Proverbs 28:23 (LB) In the end people appreciate frankness more than flattery. "

3. Speak the truth IN LOVE

Proverbs 12:18 (GN) "Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal

Proverbs 15:4 (LB) "Gentle words cause life and health.  '

Proverbs 12:25 (LB) "A word of encouragement does wonders!  

July 21 2013 God On Film: Monsters University

Memory Verse: “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, But a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” -Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”

TO BECOME A GOD-HONORING FRIEND:
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BE A GOOD FRIEND FIRST

1 John 3:18“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.”

John 15:12-13 (Jesus) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”
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ENCOURAGE MY FRIENDS DURING TOUGH TIMEs

Proverbs 17:17“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

3 Ways to Encourage a Friend in Need

1. PRAYER

2. Share a BIBLE VERSE

3. INVITE THEM TO CHURCH

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
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SEEK TO RESOLVE CONFLICT QUICKLY

Ephesians 4:26-27 “…Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and gracious to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”
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TRUST JESUS AS MY PRIMARY FRIEND

1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.”

Romans 5:11 “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

February 19 2012 How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

Luke 8:39 - Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

FOUR WAYS TO BREAK THE CYCLE

I. Stop thinking your present position cannot be changed.
A) Verse 27 - For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tomb.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING

1. Stop listening to the voice of the past.
Philippians 3:13 - Forgetting those things which are behind.

2. Decide to break out of the rut.
Philippians 3:13 & 14 - Strain towards what is ahead and press on toward the goal.

EXAMPLES
Peter - Matthew 26:75
Samson

II. Start to understand your personal value.
A) Verse 30 - Jesus asked him what is your name?

SOME EXAMPLES TO LOOK AT
Matthew
Zacchaeus

HOW TO SEE PERSONAL VALUE

1. Listen to what God says.
Matthew 10:30-31 - The hairs of your head are all numbered. You are worth more than many sparrows.


2. Listen to friends that want to help.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

III.Step into the power of Christ.
A) Verse 28 - When he saw Jesus, he cried and fell at His feet.
Verse 30 - My name is Legion.

HOW TO STEP INTO POWER
1. Confess our need.
I John 1:9

2. Surrender to the authority of Christ.
Romans 12:1 & 2

IV. Shoulder the price of permanent change.

A) Verse 39 - Jesus sent him away saying, return home and tell how much God has done for you, so the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
HOW TO MAINTAIN THE NEW POSITION

1. Replace bad habits with new ones.
Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

2. Let discomfort become a part of your life.
Nehemiah

3. Double up.
Hebrews 10:25 - Let us consider and give attentive courteous care to watching over each other, studying how we may stimulate each other to helpful deed and noble activities.

4. Determination.

5. Depend on God.

II Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit that God has given us fills us with power, love and self control.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.

September 26 2010 The Magic Of Christ's Presence

The Magic of Christ's Presence

(Mark 1:29-31 & 35 - As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)

When Christ was present, the impossible seemed to always happen.

1. His presence will bring serenity & calmness to your life

(Verse 31 - So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.)

2. His presence will bring strength to your life

(Verse 31 - took her hand and helped her up)

(Philippians 3:10 - I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death)

(Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength.)

3. His presence gives us a heart for service

(Verse 31 - she began to wait on them)

4. His presence gives us good Christian friends

(Verse 31 - on them)

5. His presence is a life changing presence

(Verse 35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.)