Sunday Message Summary, 20 August 2023
In the Kingdom of GOD, each one needs one. No person is complete by themselves, apart from the rest of the body, but each completes another. No person is the body of Christ on their own, but we are a single unit of the body, made up of many parts (1 Corinthians 12:18-20 ESV). There are therefore no loners in the Kingdom of GOD. In the Kingdom, we exist in relationships, friendships, partnerships, and fellowship. We have fellowship with GOD, fellowship with one another, and together we have fellowship with GOD. Without divine fellowship in the Kingdom of GOD, we are nothing and we will not achieve anything. If there is no synergy that exists among us, we will remain extremely unfruitful. In summary, on our own we are extremely inadequate and ineffective, so if we are to finish this race of faith, we must choose our friends wisely and carefully.
True friendship is based on love (John 15:13 KJV). A true friend is a gift that keeps giving of themselves without expectation, sacrificing of themselves for us. A true friend is always other-conscious, not self-absorbed, and they love, care for, and protect us, even placing themselves in harm’s way for us. A true friend is like an oasis in the desert – they refresh, revitalize, and infuse us with new strength, power, and enthusiasm. A true friend does not come into our lives to feed off us, but they come to minister in whatever way GOD has brought them to minister.
A true friend cares about our walk with GOD. They detect our blind spots, and they bring the best out of us. True friends correct and rebuke each other out of love and concern (Proverbs 27:5-6 AMP). A true friend will not mislead us or get us into trouble, but they are a voice of reason and a moral compass in our lives (Proverbs 27:9 NLT). They always tell the truth and would rather cause us pain for the sake of truth, instead of flattering us. A true friend helps us to navigate the treacherous waters of life.
Troubles have a way of sifting out the fake from our lives, but a true friend never leaves a friend in trouble (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV). When Job was going through a difficult time, he did not invite his friends, but they came out of concern (Job 2:11-13 NLT). A true friend is always there and estays when days are dark (Proverbs 18:24 AMP). Furthermore, a true friend knows that one who does wrong is still their friend. There is no friend who exposes, but a true friend covers (1 Peter 4:8 KJV). Though they may know our deepest, darkest secrets, they still see us for us. We need friends who will be truthful, yet not expose us, nor define and judge us by our mistakes. A true friend will never use something against us. A true friend is loyal, faithful, trustworthy, reliable, and dependable (Proverbs 20:6 NIV/TPT). They are a constant pillar we can depend on, they show up when we need them most, and they love and embrace us no matter what happens.
On our own we are extremely inadequate and ineffective, so if we are to finish this race of faith, we must choose our friends wisely and carefully.
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