This morning let’s not be just ‘hearers’ of the Word, but ‘doers
of the word. Take some time at lunch, dinner, or bedtime to DIG
DEEPER into the today’s lesson and story. Take a few moments
to apply today’s lesson to our lives.
ASK MYSELF…challenging questions for the heart:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Name one friend who has shown you true loyalty: ______________.
If you can, call them this week and thank them for their loyalty.
Name one friend to whom you have been truly loyal: ___________.
Are there friends that you have not been loyal to, but they deserved
it as your friend? If possible, talk to them this week and ask for their
forgiveness.
5. Take time to pray for your friends.
Today’s Service
March 23rd, 2014
FOR THE FAMILY…challenging questions for family life:
1. Discuss the ideas of loyalty presented in the stories of both Ruth
and Naomi and David and Jonathan.
2. Discuss what Loyalty means among friends
3. Take time to pray for your friendships as a family
4. Thank God for your friendships
Friends Like Me
Part 2 | “At All Times”
Brian Stanley
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) A friend loves at all times…
Proverbs 17:17 (NLT) A friend is always loyal…
Proverbs 27:5-6 (NLT) 5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love! 6 Wounds
from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
GOD BY NATURE IS LOYAL (He IS love, He IS faithful)
Proverbs 26:18-19 (NLT) 18 Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly
weapon 19 is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT) If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot
deny who he is.
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always
hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
WHAT LOYALTY IS NOT…
1.
2.
3.
4.
Loyalty is not __________ (only to King of Kings)
Loyalty is not turning a ______ ____ to _____ and issues.
Loyalty is not about silent ___________.
Loyalty is not the absence of __________.
COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIPS (Naomi & Ruth, David & Jonathan)
Ruth 1:14-19 and 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:4, 40-42, 2 Samuel 1:25-26
WHAT IS LOYALTY? 3 OBSERVATIONS:
1. Loyalty is to be _________.
Proverbs 20:6 (NLT) Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one
who is truly reliable?
Romans 12:10 (NIV) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another
above yourselves.
Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real
friend sticks closer than a brother.
2. Loyalty is to be _________.
Proverbs 29:5 (NLT) To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.
Proverbs 28:23 (NLT) In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more
than flattery.
3. Loyalty is to be ___________.
Philippians 2:20-22 (NIV) 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine
concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because
as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
John 17:11-12, 15 (NIV) 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still
in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power
of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are
one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by [c] that
name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to
destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled… 15 My prayer is not that you
take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
NOTES:
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