Sermons on Not Making Friends:

Sermon Title: When Friends Turn Away And People Walk Away: By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Jul 23, 2025

Brothers and sisters, We live in a world where relationships are fragile. One day people are with you, and the next, they are gone. The pain of abandonment, betrayal, or silent withdrawal can cut deeper than a knife. It can leave you questioning your worth, your calling, and even your faith.

SERMON TITLE: WHEN FRIENDS TURN AWAY AND PEOPLE WALK AWAY Scripture Texts: • 2 Timothy 4:16–17 (NIV) “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength...” • Psalm 27:10 (NKJV) “When my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Always Have A Friend & Guide Series

Contributed by Tim Bond on Mar 26, 2002

When you give your life to Christ, you never need to face the challenges of life alone.

If we were to go around the room this morning, I wonder how many could tell what your life insurance policy would pay if you suddenly died in a car wreck? How about your auto insurance policy? What is the maximum dollar amount it will pay if you are in an accident and someone sues you? How about ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Lose Friends And Inflame Enemies Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Jul 31, 2010

Ever wonder what it would be like to meet Jesus in person? The Pharasees did and it was an uncomfortable experience to say the least!

How to Lose Friends and Inflame Enemies Series: One on One With the Master February 28, 2010 Let me ask you a question. What do you think is the greatest threat to the church today? Persecution? Atheism? Materialism? No… Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy has done more to turn people away from God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Wesleyan

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 22, 2006

Find out how Jesus is our friend and why.

Joseph Scriven, the man who wrote the hymn we just sang (What A Friend We Have In Jesus), was born in 1819 in Ireland. Things seemed to go well in his life until he became engaged. The evening before the wedding, his bride drowned. Scriven moved to Port Hope, Ontario where he became engaged again. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

When Following Jesus Separates Friends Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Feb 12, 2008

God calls us to decide for Jesus, even when doing so divides families and friends.

Scripture Introduction Two snowflakes drop softly from a dark cloud. The wind twists and twirls these “friends,” so that appear to play “Tag, you’re it!” One bumps the other, then jumps away; the second chases and almost reaches his “opponent.” They bounce up and down, giggling as they swing ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Cross Brings Friends And Family Together Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 27, 2022

This morning, we are continuing our series on the Cross of Christ. What the cross means to us today as we examine how Christ’s death reaches into our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Today’s lesson is aptly titled “The Cross Brings Friends and Family Together.”

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION - Welcome to Friends and Family Day - Guests visiting - Our series: The Cross of Christ DNA DISCOVERIES: “MORE THAN FRIENDS” Family histories and lineages are becoming more and more popular as people want to learn about and discover who they are, where they came from, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Covenant Sunday - Future Our Friend

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Dec 31, 2007

A message for Covenant Sunday thinking about how the new year can be held back by fear, using Joshua, Caleb & John Wesley to show a better way where the future is seen as our friend..

Jeremiah 31.31-34 Numbers 13 It is natural at times like the turn of a new year to think about how time passes – well of course it flies! It is 28 years since Maggie came to power. 41 since England won world cup and 7 whole years have passed since the millennium celebrations. I remember the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Methodist

Playing It Safe: Job's Friend Zophar Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 7, 2009

For Lent and Annunciation: Zophar’s counsel is to "play it safe" by sticking to ideas rather than engaging persons. He thinks that security is the goal. God in Christ takes the risk of loving us and living with us.

Every human heart is so made that it can be hurt. Of that I have no doubt. Every human heart is subject to hurt, to pain, to shock. Every one of us is subject to feelings that we do not enjoy -- disappointment, anger, despair, guilt, anxiety -- a whole range of painful feelings. And we either deal ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Small Circle Of Friends: Part 1 Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 15, 2018

If we are going to accomplish anything in this life it will take the help of our friends.

A SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: PART 1 Text: Col. 4:7-11 Introduction 1. "And Someone died for all your friends but even better yet He lives again. And if this song does not make sense to you, I hope His Spirit slips on through, He loves you. He loves you, He loves you" (A Song For A Small Circle ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-11

Denomination: Methodist

What A Friend We Have In Jesus Series

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Feb 10, 2012

The man who was friendly with God.

Intro: 1. As his UCLA football team suffered through a poor season in the early 1970s, head coach Pepper Rodgers came under intense criticism and pressure from alumni and fans.Things got so bad, he remembers with a smile, that friends became hard to find. He said, "My dog was my only true ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Framed - Pt. 4 - Friend Frame Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 4, 2012

You are shaped by these forces. They determine your outlook, actions, and habits. Are you framed correctly?

Framed Pt. 4 – Friend Frame We have talked over the last 3 weeks about the impact and power of our mind to frame us! The way we think determines how we act. If we can ever learn to change the way we think we will learn to live in victory and we will defeat the enemy in our life! So quickly ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Will Make A Way Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Jan 20, 2006

How God makes a way when your problems seem unsolvable.

This is the 3rd installment in the 4-part series on Second Chances. We’ve been looking at the times the Bible uses the phrase "a second time" and we’ve been learning more about how God gives each of us numerous opportunities to do His will and experience the joyful life He offers. It is so good ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:10-13, Acts 7:13-40

Denomination: Baptist

Practice Makes Perfect Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 25, 2003

What are some things that Jesus wants us to put into practice (Matthew 7:24) so that we can present attractive bait?

Sermon for 8/24/2003 Matthew 7:24-27 Practice Makes Perfect Introduction: A. I play basketball on Monday nights with Dean. I am not a great player. I do it to keep my figure. B. This past Monday we started out with 30 guys. Some of them got frustrated and left. We began at 6:45 and at 7:30 we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-18, Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Widening Your Circle Of Unlikely Friends"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Aug 22, 2005

Do we bypass people with the good news about Jesus because we think they wouldn’t be interested because they are not like us in the way they dress or talk? How to pull down the barriers that keep us separated from people who are unlikely friends.

liff and Saltillo UM Churches August 28, 2005 Dr. Marilyn S. Murphree “Widening Your Circle of Unlikely Friends” Acts 10:9-35 Introduction: Peter had come a long way in his walk with the Lord but he had restricted his preaching of the gospel to a limited audience focusing only on the Jews. He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-35

Denomination: Methodist

Seven Identifying Marks Of The Friends Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 15, 2009

Marks of servants of Jesus

Seven identifying marks of the friends of Jesus John 15:9-17 Did you know that there are certain words we say and things we do that seem to have their roots in scripture but they actually don’t. For instance, there are certain sayings like: Moderation in all things. Spare the rod and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Baptist