Pastor Tony Ashmore concludes the "Reel Life" series in Part 4, "Charlotte's Web" in this Sunday morning celebration.Reel Life PT4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, July 29, 2012
www.mylifegatechurch.com
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Sermon Notes:
Big Idea: Charlotte was not exactly the most pleasant thing to look at, but she was a true friend. The Bible, and scholars, tell us Jesus and Paul had nothing about their appearance that would draw people, yet they are true friends. Too many of us have found friends who are not making us better, stronger, and more in love with God. To be a friend of Jesus is the highest reward we can seek.
What Really Matters: friendship, loyalty, life and death that have meaning.
Isaiah 53:2 “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.” (speaking of Jesus—there was nothing about His appearance that made people seek Him out. It was who He was, not what He was or what He did, that made Him a trustworthy friend. The world’s culture has its ‘friendship rules’—being a Biblical, Godly friend will usually disqualify you by those rules.)
You don’t get to pick your family, but you do get to pick your friends.
Proverbs 20:6 “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?” (Too many of us are looking for, and finding, friends in the wrong places. What are you looking for in friends? Where are you looking for those friends?)
You can be my friend; just don’t tell me anything I don’t want to hear.
Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (Friends are friends forever—until they start being TRUE friends—friends that speak the Truth—the Word—to each other. Are you sure you want me to speak into your life or would you rather we just kept playing friends?)
Do I really want ‘friends in high places’?
Galatians 4:14-16 “14 But even though my condition tempted you to reject me, you did not despise me or turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?” (Friends that are 1st and foremost friends of God are always a blessing. If you don’t think so, better do a checkup on your friendship with God.)
Everything is better with Jesus. Add true friends and it goes to an HNL!
Genesis 1:28 “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (our God-given destiny requires strong connections with others. Note: filling, governing, reigning all start with connecting to others)
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