Cultivating Vital Friendships Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, February 1, 2015 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2015 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

Ecclesiastes 4: 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

DECC - January 26, 2014 Who is that Masked Man? Rev Joseph Moody York, ME

If I tell you who I am, you may not like who I am… And it is all that that I have.

Let’s Pray

Promise Two Cultivate Vital Friendships that Encourage Us to Keep Our Promises

Promise One Cultivate Vital Friendships that Encourage Us to Keep Our Promises Nurture a Growing Intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ

Promise Two Cultivate Vital Friendships that Encourage Us to Keep Our Promises

“ Everyone reading this should seek to have three individuals in his/her life; You need a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy.”

Teacher / Example Friendships Hebrews 13: 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Paul

Teacher / Example Friendships Hebrews 13: 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Do you have a friend (older man or woman) who is willing to build into your life?

Disciple-Making Friendships II Timothy 3: 10,14 You know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, perse- cutions, sufferings — continue in what you have learned Timothy

Disciple-Making Friendships Titus 2 :4-5 Older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be adaptable to their husbands. Timothea (fem. for Timothy)

Disciple-Making Friendships II Timothy 3: 10,14 You know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, perse- cutions, sufferings — continue in what you have learned Do you have a younger person in your life as someone you can encourage in the ways of Jesus?

Peer Friendships Proverbs 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Barnabas & Peter

Peer Friendships Proverbs 27: 17 Barnabas As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Barnabas wanted to take Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Acts 15:37-39

Peer Friendships Proverbs 27: 17 Peter As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. But when Peter came to Antioch, I (Paul) had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. Galatians 2:11

Peer Friendships Proverbs 27: 17 Peter As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand… 2 Peter 3:15-16

Peer Friendships Proverbs 27: 17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Do you have peer friends who are allowed to hold you accountable?

A “Barnabas” Friend Can Bring the Challenge to Go Beyond: Convenience Friendships Doing Things Friendships Milestone Friendships  Lots of Time…Effort…Grace!

Close, Committed Friends George Burns Jack Benny

Action Step # 2  Find someone who will help you keep the 50 Day Adventure promises  Give that person permission to call you each week and ask: 1. “Are you staying current with your journal?”

Action Step # 2  Find someone who will help you keep the 50 Day Adventure promises  Give that person permission to call you each week and ask: 1. “Are you staying current with your journal?” 2. “How are you doing with the weekly promises and action steps?”

Action Step # 2  Find someone who will help you keep the 50 Day Adventure promises  Give that person permission to call you each week and ask: 1. “Are you staying current with your journal?” 2. “How are you doing with the weekly promises and action steps?” 3. Be as honest as you dare!

Ecclesiastes 4: 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

With God’s help, I promise To cultivate vital friendships That encourage me to Keep my promises.