Sermons on Not Making Friends:

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Making A Rarity Commonplace

Contributed by Monty Newton on Apr 29, 2013

God's desire is that every Christian be an encouraging person... Barnabas is a good example of a good example.

Title: Making a Rarity Commonplace Text: Hebrews 10:23-25 Thesis: God desire is that every Christian be an encouraging person. Introduction When I grew up we often gave our friends nicknames… Bob Hutchins was “Hutch.” Robert Sanden was “Ralph.” His older brother ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Decision-Making

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Dec 20, 2005

We are called on the make decision all the time, from long ranging decisions to simple ones. How did the early church go about making a life and death decision at the infant stage of their existence?

Passage: Acts 4:23-31 Intro: I was amazed to discover on the web this week that for some churches, the question is not what time their Christmas Day service should be, but whether they should have it at all! 1. decision making in the church can be a quagmire, with all those opinions flying ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

"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

With A Little Help From My Friends Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jun 10, 2011

The value of friends who minister to you and with you for souls and for encouragement.

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS Colossians 4:7-18 This part of the Colossian letter would be so easy to skip. It’s like reading a foreign tax roll. Each name represents an indispensable person to Paul. They were a few of the people who made his ministry possible. Jesus always placed great ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Man: A King, A Warrior, A Mentor, A Friend

Contributed by Donald Sibley on Oct 2, 2006

IN A WORLD OF COMPLACENCY, A WORLD WHERE MEN HAVE BECOME O.K. WITH THE ORDINARY; WHERE MEN FIND IT EASIER TO GIVE UP THAN STRIVE TO BECOME THE BEST THEY CAN BE; GOD IS STILL LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO STRIVE AND REACH FOR GREATNESS.

MAN: A KING; A WARRIOR; A MENTOR; A FRIEND. PSALMS 25:12 IN A WORLD OF COMPLACENCY, A WORLD WHERE MEN HAVE BECOME O.K. WITH THE ORDINARY; WHERE MEN FIND IT EASIER TO GIVE UP THAN STRIVE TO BECOME THE BEST THEY CAN BE; GOD IS STILL LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN WHO AREN’T AFRAID TO STRIVE AND REACH ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:12

Denomination: Baptist