Rev Ricky Ho
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly"
Make friends
* Many can have a big social network, some not so big
*Some of us still got Childhood friends that are still with us until today
*For others golf colleagues who spend a lot of time together
*Nowadays, we also have cyber friends who uses the cyber language - "BFF"
Mark 2: 1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home. So many people came together that there was no room left, not even out in front of the door. Jesus was preaching the message to them when four men arrived, carrying a paralysed man to Jesus. Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him. So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat.
Seeing how much faith they had, Jesus said to the paralysed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven."
Some teachers of the Law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "How does he dare to talk like this? This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!"
At once Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, "Why do you think such things? Is it easier to say to this paralysed man, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say, 'Get up, pick up your man, and walk'? I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralysed man, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely amazed and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Someone said,
"I went out to find a friend, but could not find one there,
I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere.
*Anytime we are quick to meet or help others, we will make some friends.
*You can become interested in people in 2 months but you have to make people interested in you in 2 years.
*One sure way of not making friends is by not listening to people or not paying attention to them.
*Listening is not one of our better traits, but it should be our habit.
2. Keeping Friends
Proverbs 27:10: "Do not forsake your friend and your friend of your Father."
Real Friend- "One who walks in when the rest f the world walks out"
Mark 2:1-12: Jesus heals a Paralysed Man
*Did you ever have a sponge for a friend?
One person that never walks out on you is none other than JESUS CHRIST!
*He will never leave nor forsake you and then you can see the light at the end of the tunnel (especially in times of trouble)
Proverbs 18:24: Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.
*The only time they ever came around was when they want something
Ecclesiastes 4:10: If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, its just too bad, because there is no one to help him.
*If you minister to the person in need, you will have a bond that will last forever
*When your friend is in need and you do not lend a hand, do not think your friend will lend a hand to you
Ways to keep Friends
1. Loyalty
2. Warmth/Affection
3. Loving, faithful and supportive
*Jesus befriend but did not compromise
*Jesus talking to a Samaritan women -He broke the barrier to influence her to God
*In all levels of society despite races and sex, disabilities, we must befriend them all
*Many times we choose our friends
3. Influencing Friends
*Jesus was a friend to sinners
*He was a friend to all people
*We also make friends by association
*If we want the church to grow, we must have some friends outside church with whom we associate and hopefully influence in a positive way
*We cannot write "BFF" if we do not bring them to Jesus Christ, we can only write "BF"
Conclusion
*Jesus is the Bestest Friend we can ever find
*He done more for us than anyone and he will walk with us and by us as we travel toward eternity.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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