Sermon Reflections from Going Places: The Ultimate Friend | Alex Hardt | August 25, 2024
Pastor Alex concluded his look at friendships by examining our ultimate friend, Jesus. During this series, he used the example of David and Johnathan, who showed a committed and loving friendship even in adversity. Paul, Barnabas, John Mark and Silas were used to show us how our opinions of our fellow workers can change as the Holy Spirit continues to work on each one of us. Damon Hopkins spoke on the necessity of encouragement as part of your witness to others and being a friend in Christ to the world. Lastly, Pastor spoke about Jesus being the ultimate friend. He saved the best and most significant for last.
Pastor Alex used the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet before the Passover meal from John 13:1-17. The act of washing someone’s feet was a job left for the lowly servants in their day. Surely it was not an act worthy of their master, Jesus. However, Jesus was teaching a lesson to them, and us too. How we serve Him needs to be reflected in how we serve others. “Jobs” for Jesus are meant to serve, uplift and empower others not us. We will receive blessings as we humble ourselves to serve. Humble service brings wisdom, grace and esteem from God, not man. Consider this the next time you are serving and wondering, why am I doing what I’m doing. Think of Jesus washing feet and it will put things into perspective.
Our good friends love us and want the best for us. Try as they might, they cannot save us from sin, wrongdoing or complicated entanglements. Jesus can! He is the ultimate friend. He died on the cross so that we might be free from the penalty of sin and walks with us so that we can resist the pull of sin on our lives. Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” When we get into problems, he promised to be with us always, Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” He believes in us always, Philippians 1: 6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” His power and might is enough to see us through any circumstance, 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” These are qualities of the ultimate friend we have in Jesus. Praise God! Jesus called us His friends. John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
The questions for me after hearing and mediating on these messages are:
How am I supporting my friends both physically and spiritually?
How am I continuing to reevaluate opinions I might have of them in light of their spiritual growth?
How am I encouraging those around me, both friend, acquaintances and even enemies?
How am I serving others as Jesus did?
What does it mean to me, day by day, to be loved by my friend Jesus?
Thanks Pastor Alex for these reminders from scripture that enrich an enliven our lives as we seek to be more and more like Jesus each day.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
Pastor Alex used the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet before the Passover meal from John 13:1-17. The act of washing someone’s feet was a job left for the lowly servants in their day. Surely it was not an act worthy of their master, Jesus. However, Jesus was teaching a lesson to them, and us too. How we serve Him needs to be reflected in how we serve others. “Jobs” for Jesus are meant to serve, uplift and empower others not us. We will receive blessings as we humble ourselves to serve. Humble service brings wisdom, grace and esteem from God, not man. Consider this the next time you are serving and wondering, why am I doing what I’m doing. Think of Jesus washing feet and it will put things into perspective.
Our good friends love us and want the best for us. Try as they might, they cannot save us from sin, wrongdoing or complicated entanglements. Jesus can! He is the ultimate friend. He died on the cross so that we might be free from the penalty of sin and walks with us so that we can resist the pull of sin on our lives. Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” When we get into problems, he promised to be with us always, Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” He believes in us always, Philippians 1: 6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” His power and might is enough to see us through any circumstance, 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” These are qualities of the ultimate friend we have in Jesus. Praise God! Jesus called us His friends. John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
The questions for me after hearing and mediating on these messages are:
How am I supporting my friends both physically and spiritually?
How am I continuing to reevaluate opinions I might have of them in light of their spiritual growth?
How am I encouraging those around me, both friend, acquaintances and even enemies?
How am I serving others as Jesus did?
What does it mean to me, day by day, to be loved by my friend Jesus?
Thanks Pastor Alex for these reminders from scripture that enrich an enliven our lives as we seek to be more and more like Jesus each day.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
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