Sermons on Friendship
Tears of Frustration
This message will explore the second of two types of tears we see in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, the tears of frustration. Through these tears we see our God’s frustration over the impact of sin and death on human experience that was made for more. John 11:1-44 Sermon Outline “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise again.’” (John 11:21-23) Frustration in John 11 Disciples (John 11:6-16) Mary…
Tears of Compassion
This message will explore the first of two types of tears we see in Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, the tears of compassion. These tears reveal our God who is moved by compassion over human loss and grief. John 11:1-44 Sermon Outline “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) Introduction The journey of Lent “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) The variety of Jesus’ tears Seeing Jesus’ Tears through a Theology of the Incarnation Jesus as the revelation of God (Colossians 1:15) Jesus as…
Faith-Shaped Relationships
This week will explore how our relationships should be shaped by our faith generally, exploring aspects of family relationships, friendships, and relationships in different spheres of life. Sermon Outline “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:3) God is the God of Relationships God made…
The Gift of True Friendship
This message explores the friendship between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul. (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:1-42) Sermon Outline True Friendship Is Marked by Covenant, Not Convenience (1 Samuel 18:1–4) Jonathan “loved David as himself” — selfless, committed love. He gave David his robe and weapons — surrendering his royal rights. Their bond was spiritual — rooted in purpose, not personality. Challenge: Are your friendships based on covenant loyalty or just mutual benefit? What are you willing to give for…
A Crash Course in Christ-Centered Relationships
Paul now applies the calling to live worthy of Christ by putting of the old self and putting on the new self to the sphere of relationships. Drawing upon the common household codes of his time, Paul reframes the basic social unit of the household with the Gospel calling of selfless love and consideration of the other. Thus, husband-wife, parent-child, and master-servant relationships are transformed through Christ as His people live by the Holy Spirit in the attitude of mutual…
Relationships with Jesus at the Center
Even our relationships should be transformed with Christ at the center. Jesus changes everything, including the way we relate with our family, friends, co-workers, and more. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul takes us into these intimate places of our lives so that nothing is left untouched by Messiah Jesus. Sermon Outline We Have Been Changed in ________________________: Four Images of Who We Are Now (Colossians 1:2, 18) The ________________________ – new identity The ________________________ – new belonging The ________________________ – new…
Wrestling in the Darkness: Job and His Friends’ Quest for Meaning in Suffering
In Job 3-27, Job enters into a deep dialogue with his friends about the nature and meaning of suffering. They offer counsel that is, in one way, true, but is divorced from the context of Job’s life and God’s permission. We will talk about when to speak and when to be silent, how we comfort one another in suffering and also how we search out meaning together before God in suffering. (Job 3-27) Sermon Outline “I know that my redeemer lives,…
Friendship
What does it mean to be friends from a biblical perspective? This begins the series, so it should look at how God is relational and how we are created in His image to be relational (Genesis 1-3). Then, with teaching from Proverbs and John 15:12-13, it will lead into practical discussion of friendship from a biblical perspective. (John 15:12-13) Sermon Outline “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this:…