10 July 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Larry continued talking about Endangered Species
"Friends" was the fourth sermon in the ongoing series
Friends are ones who often introduce us to church
Friends are ones who never leave us in the lurch
The TV sitcom Friends was very popular for ten years
Man's best friend the dog puts loyalty above his fears
Pastor then read from Proverbs 18 verse 24
A friend is like a brother, but even more
Three key things Pastor then did highlight
In order to be a friend for others, which is right

To "be a friend of God" was the first
Moses prayed so his people were not cursed
As we heard last week, to pray is to communicate
We must talk, listen and often times also wait
Remember that prayer was the source of Jesus' power
He communed with God until the very last hour
Being God's friend also means that we should obey
As Abraham did, per what James 2:23 doth say
Similarly, as Jesus was quoted in John 15:14
From His friends, obedience is expected to be seen
All of this reminds us that we need to read the Word
So that we can glean truth and befriend the Lord
If we know, trust, and obey Him from start to end
He will bless us for being such a good friend

To "be a friend of sinners" was number two
Per Matthew 11:19, that is what Jesus did do
Remember to love the sinners but hate the sin
Be careful else trouble you will also fall in
Pastor then read from 1 Corinthians 15 verse thirty three
"Bad company corrupts good character" it is plain to see
And like spilling spaghetti sauce on a nice white shirt
On a Christian, sin is more visible than a speck of dirt
In the same way, per verse 14 of 2 Corinthians 6
To unbelievers we should not ourselves affix
Don't be emotionally joined to those who pull us away
And don't be wordly minded , as James 4:4 does say

To "be a friend of adversity" was point number three
Proverbs 17:17 Pastor did ask us to see
"A friend loves at all times" the passage does say
Which is especially valuable on a rough day
Pastor said to be a true friend, three things are required
Be truthful, sacrificial, and accountable even when tired
Ephesians 4:15 says to "speak the truth in love"
That is consistent with being part of the body of Him above
Paul even rebuked Peter, per Galatians 2:11
But that was consistent with guidance from heaven
For a Proverbs twenty seven verse nine so clearly does tell
"The pleasantries of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel"
In regards sacrifice, we read John 15 verse thirteen
Jesus did more for us than ever before or after seen
We should be willing to be persecuted for others
Or have reputations attacked for our brothers
Remember Ananias standing up for Saul
And Barnabas doing the same for Paul
Pastor referred to Ecclesiastes 4 verse 10
Talking about friend's helping again and again
True accountability also involves being tough
Asking questions about sin and similar stuff
And per Hebrews 10:25, we should not give up
Keep encouraging others, even while we sup

In summary, Pastor referred to Maximus
From Gladiator, a movie seen by most of us
"If we stay together, we will survive" he did say
Being a friend who others can lean on every day
We then sang Bill Withers' "Lean On Me"
As Pastor encouraged us friends to be