THE INNER CIRCLE

Matthew 10:2-4 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Introduction In our lifetime we have many different relationships Some are close, personal, intimate Others are very distant, casual, brief Today we examine the relationships of Jesus and our own.

Jesus' Circle of Friends Multitudes – Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea Disciples – Mark 3:9 So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. Apostles – Matthew 10:2a Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:

Jesus' Circle of Friends Inner Circle – Peter, James, John – Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves Private teaching – Mark 13:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,

Jesus' Circle of Friends Inner Circle – Peter, James, John – Mountain to pray – Luke 9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. Garden to pray – Matthew 26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

Jesus' Circle of Friends Inner Circle – Peter, James, John – Witness to miracle – Mark 5:37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. There was a special closeness with these 3 Peter – keys of kingdom, first gospel sermon James – first to die for the cause of Christ John – entrusted his mother, last apostle to die

Our Circle of Friends Start on the outside – work our way in Acquaintances – recognize the name, heard of them, know something about them Associates – work, social contact, share some common interest or sport On a college final exam – Whatis the name of the lady that mops the floors in this building? Know – but don't really know them

Our Circle of Friends Contacts – Learn their name and something about them to do business, make a sale, close the contract I know Brad in tech support at HP computers I know the preachers at some nearby congregations Friends – Been to their house, ate with them at a pot-luck, attend church together, enjoy the same sport, belong to the same club

Our Circle of Friends Close friends – 3 or 4 in a lifetime – got your back, depend on in time of crisis, trust, share intimate feelings, Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Relatives – family, blood kin, cousins, aunt and uncle, grandparents Immediate family – Parents, siblings

Where are your friends? Take a sheet of paper Draw circles Initial where your friends are: With Friends – close, know by face, know by name If you had a serious problem who would you call?

Where are you in this church? Take a sheet of paper Draw circles Initial where you are: In this church – involved, attend, active, support, on the fringe Do fit in this church like a hand in a glove or square peg in a round hole?

Where are you with Jesus? Take a sheet of paper Draw circles Initial where you are: With Jesus – Are you in Christ or on the outside looking in? Are you in the Inner circle / Outer limits?

Where are you with Jesus? When it comes to your relationship with Jesus, where are you? Have you been baptized “into Christ”? Have you remained “faithful unto death”?