2. Friday Night Mini-Review “Where To and Why There?” New Testament pattern of a vital church– order is important Stay focused on God’s grace Build deep lovingcommunityRepresent Jesus well in society Rom. 1-11 Rom. 12 Rom. 13 Eph. 1-3 Eph. 4Eph. 5,6 Col. 1-3:4 Col.3:5-16 Col.3:17 ff

3. Close Spiritual Relationships – Why? New Testament pattern of a vital church– order is important Stay focused on God’s grace Build deep lovingCommunitythrough Close Spiritual FriendshipsRepresent Jesus well in society

4. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Biblical Pattern Jesus’ new commandment-Jn. 13:34

5. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Phil. 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 1 Thess 2:8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

6. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Formidable Obstacles Building these is a skill/art – not easily or quickly learned.

7. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Formidable Obstacles Building these is a skill/art – not easily or quickly learned. Our culture does not value these and makes it more difficult to build them.

8. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Formidable Obstacles Building these is a skill/art – not easily or quickly learned. Our culture does not value these and makes it more difficult to build them. We have personal problems that inhibit our desire to &/or ability to build close friendships.

9. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality.

10. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality. Because other-centered love relationships is the essence of who God (Ultimate Reality) is.

11. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality. Because other-centered love relationships is the essence of who God (Ultimate Reality) is. Because this is the essence of who you are.

12. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality. Because other-centered love relationships is the essence of who God (Ultimate Reality) is. Because this is the essence of who you are. John 17: 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

13. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality. Because other-centered love relationships is the essence of who God (Ultimate Reality) is. Because this is the essence of who you are. John 17: 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Until the foundational priority of your life is to make a love relationship with God & other Christian friends, you are denying your own humanity!

14. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 1.Close spiritual friendships are literally the most important issue in reality. Because other-centered love relationships is the essence of who God (Ultimate Reality) is....the essence of who you are. Because this is the essence of what heaven will be like (Is. 25:6-9; Rev. 19:9)

15. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 2.You will experience the fullness of Jesus’ love & the joy that comes from Him ONLY in the context of close spiritual friendships.

16. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it Jn 15: 9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

17. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 2.You will experience the fullness of Jesus’ love & the joy that comes from Him ONLY in the context of close spiritual friendships.

18. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 3.Close spiritual friendships are at the heart of what attracts people to Jesus. (Jn 13:34,35) Jn 17: 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

19. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 3.Close spiritual friendships are at the heart of what attracts people to Jesus. (Jn 13:34,35) Jn 17: 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. “The church that convinces people that there is a God, is a church that manifests what only a God can do, that is, to unite human beings in love... There is nothing that convinces people that God exists or that awakens their craving for him like the discovery of Christian brothers and sisters who love one another...

20. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 3.Close spiritual friendships are at the heart of what attracts people to Jesus. (Jn 13:34,35) Jn 17: 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. “... The sight of loving unity among Christians arrests the non-Christian. It crashes through his intellect, stirs up his conscience and creates a tumult of longing in his heart because he was created to enjoy the very thing that you are demonstrating.” John White “the Fight” pp 149,150.

21. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Why they are worth it 4.Close spiritual friendships are essential in order to be effective in your other social roles.

22. Close Spiritual Friendships – Why? Questions?Comments?