Friendly Fire Sermon Series
(Inspired by Perry Stone’s book, “Judas Goat”)
“How to Pick Your Friends” 2 of 3
1/19/2014 Chester’s FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson
Introduction:
A Inside the courtyard of the Temple/Tabernacle there were three layers/levels.
1 Outer court, inner court, Holy of Holies.
a The outer court was the only place common people were allowed to wash their sacrifices.
b The inner court (table of shewbread, Menorah, altar of incense) was where they (the Levites) would break bread together, share the glow of the Menorah as they made intercession before the Lord.
c The Holy of Holies was a special place that was annually enter by ONLY the High Priest to offer atonement for himself, the priests, & the people.
aa This chamber was the most intimate of the three - Reserved for face-to-face, one on one encounter between the High Priest & God.
bb Not everyone entered here – very few.
B Scripture identifies 3 levels of people you’ll encounter in your life – hirelings, servants, & friends.
1 John 10:11-13 (NASB) 11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. (Hireling - #1 chair)
a A “hireling” was a hired hand (not family) that was paid to watch.
aa The danger of a hireling is they tend the sheep, not out of love for the sheep but for money.
bb He’ll sees trouble/wolf – He gone.
b In the church, we call these folks “church hoppers.”
aa Travel from church to church, set up camp until he/she finds a church that offer him/her better opp, use gifts, “release their anointing.”
bb Usually don’t stay long - only as long as they are getting what they want. (Pastors & people)
cc If things don’t go as they like they create their own following & typically leave because it’s all about them. (Not about loving sheep, needs of the flock, shepherd)
2 Matthew 24:45-46 (NASB) 45 "Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. (Servant - #2 chair)
a A servant is one who serves his master (either voluntarily or willing)
aa As Americans, servant/slave reminds us of “slavery.”
bb Scripturally, we’re talking about volunteers, workers, severs & helpers - Serve willingly in the church, ministry, bless others because they love the Lord, they love the sheep & the Shepherd.
b Servants would be placed in the inner court/second chair.
aa Fellowship occurs (break bread, word, oil, prayer in His presence)
bb The second chair/inner court isn’t for the hireling.
c John 15:14-15 (NASB)14 "You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
d There is a difference between servants & friends.
aa Jesus said that servants are not involved with the inner circle decisions of the Master. (vs 15)
bb A servant isn’t always told the secrets that only close family members knows.
e Just as a hireling will split at the first time of trouble, a servant can get offended if they’re not allowed into the inner circle conversations & fellowship sessions. (Get offended, turn on the leadership & split instead of smiling & continuing to work their assignment.)
3 John 15:14-15 (NASB)14 "You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (Friend - #3 chair)
a Jesus said to His 12, “I’m bumping you up form servants to friends.”
aa In this context more than acquaintances, more affectionate, more relationship.
bb Some relationships will mature into a closer, family-like affection.
cc Not every relationship matures to 3rd chair / friendship. (Compare to Holy of Holies.)
b The 3rd chair is for the closest of friends.
aa Why so many of us experience hurt, disappointment, betrayal at times is because allow a 1st chair person to sit in the 3rd chair.
bb An immature person can’t handle what he/she hears/sees - eventually causes harm to the ministry & minister.
c How many times have your confided in someone, shared private information only to be betrayed when that person has a falling out with you - sue the words you spoke in private as a weapon against you.
aa Ephesians 6:17 (NASB) 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The sword of the Word should never be used as a weapon to stab & wound other believers.
bb There are times when matters of ministry require private conversations with leaders.
cc A hireling, “Don’t they think I’m good enough to hear what they have to say?” Servant, “I wonder why they me to leave? Oh well, it’s none of my business.” A friend will lead the group, “let’s go have lunch while they’re talking so we can get back & do what we gotta do.”
d We all need friends but not all friends are the right type you need.
Proverbs 18:24 (NASB) 24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
aa There are two words for “friend” in the text: (associate, colleague, neighbor, co-worker) -If you’re friendly, you’ll make friends.
bb “Friend” - Has your back, would never allow anyone to speak evil of you -Covenant partner.
cc In our lives we’ll have lots of friends, but few will emerge that we should put in the 3rd chair.
4 Jesus’ own ministries bear evidence that there are differing levels of closeness to friendship.
a Luke 10:1 (NASB) 1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. (70 men in sets of 2) - But they weren’t apart of the chosen 12.
aa Within the 12 disciples, there was an inner circle of 3 (Peter, James & John) that were present for the most intimate moments of Christ’s life.
bb Matthew 17:1-5 (NASB) 1 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Transfiguration)
Mark 14:32-33 (NASB) 32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." 33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled.
(The Garden of Gethsemane)
b Why these 3? (Preparing them for future ministry)
aa Peter would become the apostle to the Jews.
bb James would become the leader at the church in Jerusalem.
cc John would become the revelator.
c You must use discernment when you allow people to step from your outer circles to the inner circle.
aa Hirelings esp. Are prone to betray your trust, private matters to embrace their ego - look important in the eyes of others.
bb Chose who you let close wisely! Prayerfully!
Conclusion:
A Some of use have been betrayed by people we considered to be “friends,” which makes us fearful of getting close to anyone out of fear of being hurt again.
1 We’ve come to believe it’s better to have no close friends than to see friendships sour, experience betrayal.
a Imagine if Jesus post-resurrection meeting with His inner circles.
aa “Ya’ll are a bunch of jerks. Judas, Peter, Thomas, the rest scattered like little girls. I spent 42 months investing in you & I just wasted my time apparently. I’m going back to heaven, ya’ll are on your own - I’m done.”
bb Jesus didn’t chose 12 perfect men. (Clashing personalities, failures, hang ups) He invested 42 months in them knowing the H.S. would empower them to finish the job.
b He didn’t look for spiritual perfection, but rather He looked for spiritual obedience.
2 What do you look for in a 3rd chair friend - perfection or friendship?
a I believe God brings specific people int our lives, in specific seasons to get something done.
aa The secret to knowing who gets close (& who doesn’t) is being able to discern a persons motives for connecting with you.
bb This discernment is sharpened through prayer.
b When you look for a close friend...
aa Their fruit is more important than how well they sing, exercise this gifts.
bb They’re believers, share the same daddy, spirit.
cc The Spirit will bear witness - check your Spirit.
B “Beareth Witness”
John 5:32 (KJV) 32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
John 8:18 (KJV) 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
Romans 8:16 (KJV) 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
1 John 5:6 (KJV) 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1 The phrase means “to collaborate with evidence or to testify in agreement.”
a The Holy Spirit, through prayer will collaborate with you about the 3 levels of friends & reveal whom you can’t trust, who should stay in the outer court.
b AND those whom should be allowed closer access.
2 IL
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
