Inca’s Trail, Machu Picchu (Perú)

+ Friendship 101 (It is Jesus’ way)

+ Matthew 26:50 Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

+ Friend: Hetairos (imposter) Matthew 22:12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Matthew 20:13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Matthew 26:50 Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

+ Friend: Philos (experience based love) John 11:11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

+ What is friendship about? (… according to Jesus)  Helping others to know the Father’s heart  Giving and not taking  Prov. 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…”  Thinking of God’s Glory before your own glory  2 Cor. 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

+ What is friendship about?  2 Cor 5:9 “So we make it our goal to please Him…”  2 Cor 5:11 “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men…”  Receiving the free gift  James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father… “  Loving like 1 Cor. 13:7 “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]”.

+ What is the world’s view?  Recollection instead of “reconciliation” 2 Cor. 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God”. Matt 22: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.

+ What is the world’s view? Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”.  Demands on wrong expectations James 4: 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

+ What is the world’s view?  Love those who are easy to love Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

+ I want to be a better friend… like Jesus! ① What do they “need”?... instead what do they want? What is for me? ② Check your heart motives. Are your needs met in Jesus? ③ Believe the best of them (1 Cor. 13) ④ Care for their best as a giver not a taker (Gal. 6:2). ⑤ Love them by telling the truth ⑥ Extend God’s mercy and grace. It is free! (Rom. 2:4) ⑦ Accept one another (Rom. 15:7) ⑧ Seek for unity of heart (Rom. 15:5-6) ⑨ Remember…All is to the praise of His glory (Eph 1:6)!!! “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” Eph 5:1-2