Friends Indeed

Friends Indeed
John Ch15, vs. 12-17, Ephes. Ch 5 v.11
• In prosperity, our friends know us, in adversity, we know our friends.
• Never cut, what you can untie. (No reason to burn a bridge if you don’t have to)
• Friendship is more important in a marriage than romanticism.
• Fellowship should be a by-product of purpose.
• Everything in life works by relationship
• If people don’t increase you, they’ll eventually decrease you.
• Make it a goal to be a friend of your family.
• Find friendship with someone who will be a mentor.
• Find friendship with a peer.
• Find friendship with someone you can give back to.

Models – People who do what you do.
Mentors - People who coach you.
Heroes – People you look up to.
Peer – People on the same level as you.
Inner Circle – People closest to you.
Followers – People you lead.

What to look for in a “Friend Indeed” –

1. A genuine commitment to Christ.
2. Find people who know their purpose (keenly aware of their purpose)
3. Find people with self-acceptance (focus on self-development, not self-fulfillment)
4. They should have a forgiving spirit.
5. They must be faithful.
6. They should have purity (not perfect, purity is the effect of right motives in your heart.)
7. They should have respect for authority.

Be aware of what evil really is, evil is that that pulls you away from your purpose. The devil sends things into your life to dilute you or pollute you. Remember, faithfulness is a choice, not a gift, and stop blaming somebody else for your attitude.
Faithfulness – 1. Constancy 2. Loyalty 3. Submission

If the character of a man/woman is not clear to you, look at his/her friends. You are not just known by the company you keep, you’re known by the company you shun. If a man wants to move the world, he must first move himself.

Write out a faithful declaration.
Enlist an accountability partner.
Spend time with faithful people.
Select a model to follow.