April 6, 2008 Sermon Notes

Pastor Matt Anderson –- April 6, 2008
“Better Together”
Life Strategies series, part two

“I’ve often felt like I’m standing outside looking through the window of a party to which I wasn’t invited.” –anonymous

Foundations

·         It is not good to be alone. —Genesis 2:18

·         Jesus prayed that we would know oneness. —John 17:11, 20-21

·         The church is to be a community of belonging. —Acts 2:42-47

To have good friends, I must be a good friend.

How?

·         Love others. —John 13:34-35; I Peter 4:8

·         Encourage others. —I Thessalonians 5:11

·         Forgive others. —Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13

·         Suffer with others. —Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2

·         Serve others. —Galatians 5:13; I Peter 4:10

·         Don’t judge others. —Luke 6:37

“Sometimes it seems easier to just give up and accept disconnectedness as a dark and unshakable companion; but, that’s not the companion I want. So I will persevere.” —Marla Paul

 

 

A morning thought...

“The word Philadelphia means “human affection, brotherly love.” It means being an affectionate friend. Samuel Coleridge wrote a poem titled “Youth and Age” with the line, “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” That is a wonderful word picture. Friends are those whose lives are like branches. They provide shade, they provide refuge from the demanding, irritating, and searing rays of the hot sun. You can find comfort by them. You can find strength near them. They are treelike in that they bear fruit that provides nourishment and encouragement. Isn’t it interesting that when something occurs in your life and you are alone, you pick up the phone and call a friend? You want to connect with someone else. Few things are more lonely than going through a sudden test or joy and having no friend to call.”

—Charles Swindoll

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