Great Lessons About Christian Friendship Series

*At the time, Sue was pregnant with their second child. And one night as she held Bobby to comfort him, he touched her round belly. Then Bobby asked, "Mama, is it dark inside there where my little brother is?"

*"Yes," his mother replied. "It's dark in there." Bobby thought about that and said, "He doesn't even have a night-light, does he?" "No," Sue responded, "not even a night-light."

*Bobby had one more question that night: "Do you think my brother is scared all by himself in there?" Sue replied, "I don't think so, because he's not really alone. He's inside of me. And it's the same way with you. "When it's dark and you think you're all by yourself, you really aren't. I carry you inside me too, right here in my heart."

*That was the last time Bobby woke up scared, and it gave Sue new insight on her relationship with God. She explained it this way: "First God was only 'up there.' Then God was 'all around.' Next, I began to see that God was also 'in me.' And now, most surprising of all, I found that I am and always will be 'in God.'" (5)

*Christians: We are literally and spiritually in the Lord Jesus Christ right now, and there is not a safer place to be. Keep resting in this wonderful truth that Jesus is our best friend forever.

CONCLUSION:

*How does God want us to handle Christian friendship? He wants us to receive new friends, be faithful friends, remember old friends, and rest in our best friend, Jesus Christ. Let's ask for His help as we go back to God in prayer.

(1) Sources:

-ALBERT BARNES' NOTES ON THE BIBLE by Albert Barnes - Published in 1847-85 - Romans 16:27 - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2000-2019

-JOHN GILL'S EXPOSITION OF THE BIBLE by Dr. John Gill, D. D. - 1697-1771 - Published in 1746-1766, 1816 - Romans 16:27 - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2000-2019

-"Notes on the Pauline Subscriptions" - Stylos blog by Pastor Jeff Riddle - http://www.jeffriddle.net/2015/11/notes-on-pauline-subscriptions.html

(2) Sources:

-STRONG'S HEBREW AND GREEK DICTIONARIES - from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D. - Published in 1890; public domain. - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2000-2019

-THAYER'S GREEK DEFINITIONS - Published in 1886, 1889; public domain. - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2000-2019

-WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Archibald Thomas (A. T.) Robertson - Published in 1930-1933 - Romans 16:2 - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2000-2019

(3) Adapted from EXPLORING ROMANS by John Phillips, Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids - "How Paul Salutes His Brethren at Rome - Romans 6:3-16 - Downloaded to "Bible Study 6" from Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc.

(4) Adapted from KERUX ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION - ID Number: 9158 - SOURCE: A Word With You By Ron Hutchcraft #3839 - TITLE: The Knife And The Nails - AUTHOR: Ron Hutchcraft - DATE: 9/27/2001