Always #1

  • Pastor Dwain Tissell
  • May 6, 2007
  • Series: Friends

1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 (NLT)

 

 “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.” Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

 

I.  HOW YOUR #1 CAN MESS YOU UP SPIRITUALLY & RELATIONALLY

 

n       Causes us to conform our lifestyles and our values

 

n       Keeps us from speaking the truth

 

n       Silences our sharing about Christ

 

n       Keeps us from spiritual maturity

 

 

II. WHEN CHRIST IS YOUR #1 YOU’RE

A BETTER FRIEND BECAUSE YOU…

 

1.  FOCUS ON BUILD UPS, INSTEAD OF LET DOWNS.

 

11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

 

“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.  So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?”  Isaiah  51:12 (NLT)

 

2.  EMBRACE GOD’S ACCEPTANCE INSTEAD OF REJECTED MOMENTS.

 

13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

 

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

 

 

3.  DIVE INTO GOD INSTEAD OF WALLOW IN PITY.

 

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

 

III. HOW TO BECOME THE FRIEND YOU WERE MEANT TO BE

(Philippians 2:1,2)

 

·      Live for HIS PURPOSE.

 

… belonging to Christ … working together with one mind and purpose.

 

·      Live with HIS PEOPLE.

 

… hearts tender and compassionate… loving one another…

 

God places the lonely in families... Psalm 68:6 (NLT)

 

·      LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE.

 

… fellowship together in the Spirit … working together…