Sermon note (4th svc)
– Rev Col Stringer
100 years ago on 31st Oct, the gateway of Jerusalem was opened for the first time.
Covenant friend.
John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Jesus is talking about laying down one’s life.
In your life you have many acquaintance, but only a few good friends.
We live in a selfish societies. Place great values on your friends.
Have a friend that stick closer than a brother.
I have a Friend, God called me friend.
God who created the universe wants to be friend with me!
God is into family.
What do you like to be remembered for?
Breakdown of societies come down to lack of close friends.
James 2:23
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
How do you like to be called friend of God?
Relationship! Is God the Father, not God the ceo.
This is the God who created the Universe!
God calls me a friend!
Any sort of friendship is based on loyalty
The grace of God! Loyalty – strong feeling of support!
The only one who loves you unconditional is God!
Whether you succeed in life does not depend on how talented u r, how smart u r, but the relationship that u build.
We are created for fellowship!
Family is God’s idea. God is the Father.
What humble me is the approachable of God! He said He will never leave us nor forsake us!
2 Timothy 3:1-2
Chapter 3
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
1 Samuel 18:1-3
Chapter 18
Saul Resents David
Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Jonathan and David became life long friend. Soul was knitted together. Covenant relationship.
David became king.
2 Samuel 9:1-7
Chapter 9
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
He said, “At your service!”
Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?”
And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”
So the king said to him, “Where is he?”
And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?”
And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
David said do not fear, for he will show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake
2 Samuel 9:10-11
You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.”
“As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”
Everything he will restore and he will treat him like his own son.
True friendship goes beyond the grave.
I believe God hook you up with specific friends
Learn to be less selfish.
Lay down your life.
Even Jesus has 120 followers, break down to 12 and at the cross only one man, John.
John 19:25
Behold Your Mother
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:26-27
When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
John was a friend of Jesus. John wrote himself as the disciple whom Jesus loves!
The only one in touch with the heartbeat of Jesus. Jesus called him friend!
I am a friend of God!
If you want to understand the love of God, read John.
The love of God. How valuable you are!
God loves you just as you are.
You are valuable to God!
Think about the prodigal son. The father saw him, run to him and kisses him. The prodigal son is valuable to his father.
Matthew 26:31-35
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
The disciple whom Jesus loves. Is about Him and not about John.
Acts 3:1-6
Chapter 3
A Lame Man Healed
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Acts 3:7-11
And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Preaching in Solomon’s Portico
Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
Acts 3:12-16
So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
This is called grace. God resist the proud and give grace to the humble.
Focus on the Lord. Such a big change in Peter. Growing in grace in the knowledge of God.
What changed Peter? Divine influence.
John 1-3 is the revelation of love of God
If you don’t know love you don’t know God.
He is approachable, friendly! He wants to fellowship with us.
God hook u up with friends. Invest in your friends.
You don’t have friends because you are not friendly.
Value the friends that you get. It may come to one person.
2 Timothy 1:15-18
This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
Philippians 2:21-29
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
Epaphroditus Praised
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;
Value your friends. God send people across your path. I am a friend of God, He calls me friend!
Laid our life – may cause u money, time, not just when u r convenient
God called us His friend!
