Sermons on Godly Friendships:

Salt

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 24, 2021

Salt was scarce in the Near East in Jesus' day. It symbolized the bonds of friendship, peace and love between people. It is another example of the great commandment that Jesus gave us to love one another.

Salt Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 9:49-50 Mark 9:49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you 1make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." This short narrative about salt ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:49-50

Denomination: United Methodist

Sharp Contention Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Sep 4, 2008

Exposition of Acts 15:36-41 regarding the disagreement that Paul and Barnabas had over whether or not to take John Mark with them

Text: Acts 15:36-41, Title: Sharp Contention, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/7/08, AM A. Opening illustration: they called it the first church of laying on of hands and healing (see below) B. Background to passage: Theological conflict settled. Church rejoicing in unity and freedom. And the heart of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Baptist

Our Spiritual Metamorphosis: Step 4 – Making Friends Series

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 13, 2008

5th in the series of Our Spiritual Transformation

Our Spiritual Metamorphosis: Step 4 – Making Friends Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 We now have arrived at step number four of our thoughts about Spiritual Transformation or Our Spiritual Metamorphosis. It has been a learning process for all of us. I personally have discovered new territory as I have ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: *other

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 19, 2014

Surprised by Joy - (Character Study Cleopas) (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: They talked with each other (vs 14, 15 & 17) They welcomed a stranger (vs 15). They shared the story of Jesus (vs 18-23). They were willing to learn (vs 25-27) They practiced hospitality (vs 28) SERMONBODY: Ill: • The newspaper The Independent on Sunday (5 September ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Denomination: Brethren

Curing Church Conflict-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 6, 2014

1 of 3. James revealed the solution to conflict within the local church body. Church conflict can be cured. But how? The cure for church conflict is challenged/hindered by....

CURING CHURCH CONFLICT-I—James 4:1-17 Attention: A Cure & its Challenge... A new miracle doctor had just arrived in town. He could cure anything & anybody, & everyone was amazed with what he could do. Everyone except for Mr. Thompson, the town skeptic, who didn't believe a thing. Grumpy ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

"Why Can't We Be Friends"

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 23, 2013

Solomon and David both remind us that one of the best investments we will ever make in life is an investment in people…making friends. This message helps us learn how to do that.

“Why Can’t We Be Friends?” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Proverbs 13:20 One of the most popular topics in song writing today has been the subject of friendship. The Beatles sang I get by with a little help from my friends. James Taylor and Carole King sang a song titled ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Catch Fire With The Gospel Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 18, 2014

We can do our part to set our parish on fire with devotion to the joy of the Gospel

Thursday of 29th Week in Course Joy of the Gospel St. Paul had during his Christian life on earth at least one experience that he characterized as being lifted up to the heavens. He needed that consolation because of the hard work of evangelization he was called to perform. He saw the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Catholic

Zophar’s Second Attack On Job Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 10, 2017

How we respond to people who are hurting STILL matters. Our ability to show grace, compassion, and love to those around us is critical, and it's something we see quite clearly in these conversations.

Zophar’s second attack on Job Job Sermon Series, Part 10 Introduction (Job Slide) - We are continuing to examine Job’s conversations with his friends -- Re: These men came in Ch. 2 to sit with him and mourn his loss - They appear to come to comfort … but quickly their real motives are ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Best Friends Forever

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 8, 2018

The friendship of David and Joshua is one of the closest in the Bible. From it, we learn that true friends love as they love themselves, sacrifice for the good of the other, and protect one another. If you want a friend, be a friend!

1 Samuel 17:57-18:4 Best Friends Forever Have you ever had a BFF? A “best friend forever?” Or better yet, a BFFL? A “best friend for life?” Or in short form, a “bestie?” Someone who knows you better than you know yourself? I saw a quote this week: “We are going to be best friends forever... ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-3, 1 Samuel 20:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Sixth Sunday Of Easter/Mother’s Day--“I Have Called You Friends” John 15:15

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 7, 2021

By choosing active receptivity to the divine Friend, we think and feel the same way about reality and the world.

Contemporary friendship theorists suggest that within close friendships each party is receptive to being directed by the other. This includes friendship with Mom. E.g. According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Police Chief Phil Keith was in the middle of a televised city council meeting in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:15, John 15:9-17

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus, The Friend.

Contributed by Barnabas Park on May 27, 2018

Jesus offered His life so that we may become become our friends. And Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as Jesus loved them, if they want to become Jesus' friends.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. I live in Stanton, about 4 miles away from here. About 5 years ago during the Christmas ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Friends And Enemies

Contributed by David Henderson on Mar 14, 2016

A message on bullying for kids.

Friends and Enemies/Ridicule/Bullying Scripture: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44 Sandpaper/soft cloth. So I brought two items today. Sandpaper/soft cloth/flannel. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-44

Denomination: Baptist

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B-- Pointing Out The Lamb Of God

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 15, 2023

The suggested response for how to process that and thank him is simply to be his friend.

In all the artwork that portrays our Gospel scene today, the artists show John the Baptist pointing at Jesus, often with his whole arm extended, saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The only people who are allowed to point at others, and even yell, are Drill Sergeants! John was not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:3-19, John 1:35-42

Denomination: Catholic

Sermon On The Daydreams Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 21, 2023

Daydreaming is defined as the activity of thinking about pleasant things that one would like to do or have happen to them, instead of thinking about the present.

Daniel Levitin, an American-Canadian psychologist once remarked: “That daydreaming mode turns out to be restorative. It's like hitting the reset button in your brain. And you don't get in that daydreaming mode typically by texting and Facebooking. You get in it by disengaging.” Colossians ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5, Philippians 4:8, Luke 14:11, Jeremiah 29:11-13

Friends Of Intentionality

Contributed by Anthony Sosa on Jan 14, 2025

We all need friends who show up when life gets messy, friends who don’t just offer kind words but walk alongside us in our struggles. These “friends of intentionality” reflect the heart of Christ, offering love, presence, and action in the moments we need it most.

Friends of Intentionality: When my family went through a rough patch in ministry, the way people treated us stood out. Most were kind and encouraging, some were hurtful and dismissive, but then there were a few, a precious few, who were what I call "friends of intentionality". These ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: Baptist