29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online

28/10/2017

29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online

This year is a Jubilee year.
This year is also the 100 years anniversary of the liberation of the walls of Beersheba - The way to Jerusalem was opened.
On top of that, it is the 500 years anniversary of the Reformation started by Martin Luther.

John 15:12-13 - We live in a selfish society. There will be many acquaintances that come in and out of your life.
Only a handful will stay and be true friends.
Say: I’m a friend of God, God calls me friend.
The Bible says we don’t have friends because we don’t show ourselves friendly.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13 NKJV)

James 2:23 - God is so approachable that He who created the universe wants to be our friend.
Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, God went down to ask Abraham what he thought about it and to negotiate.

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23 NKJV)

Hesed: Grace/ Loyal love - I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hesed is not a word, it’s a lifestyle.

You are reading: 29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online. God is so approachable that He who created the universe wants to be our friend. Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, God went down to ask Abraham what he thought about it and to negotiate.

We were created for fellowship

Whether you succeed in life is not determined by how smart you are, how rich you are, etc.
It may come down to the relationships that we have on earth.

We were created by God mainly to have fellowship with Him, not to serve Him.

II Timothy 3:1-2 - The average person takes 48 minutes of selfies a week. That’s 48 minutes of narcissism.
You can’t have a relationship with an iPhone or iPad.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” (II Timothy 3:1-2 NKJV)

I Samuel 18:1-3 - Jonathan grew up as the heir of the throne and never did a day of work in his life. He grew up in the lap of luxury.
Yet he made such a strong friendship with David who probably still smelled of sheep.

“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” (I Samuel 18:1-3 NKJV)

II Samuel 9:1-7 - David showed Jonathan’s son kindness even after Jonathan’s death.
Covenant friendships go beyond the grave.
Rev. Col Stringer believes that God sends people into your life for a reason.

“Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “ Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!” Then the king said, “ Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.” Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”” (II Samuel 9:1-7 NKJV)

How do you stay married? Learn to be less selfish.

John 19:25-27 - John had a revelation of the grace of God.
When Peter wanted to find out who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God, John just wanted to lie on Jesus’ bosom to fellowship with Him.
He was the only one who heard the heartbeat of God and didn’t die a martyrs’ death.
John took care of Jesus’ mother Mary for the rest of her life.

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:25-27 NKJV)

We are valuable to God. We will know how valuable we are when we know how much God gave up to save us.

Matthew 26:31-35 - Peter was in love with himself.
Peter’s name “Petros” means “Stone” which represents the Law.
John represents grace.

“Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:31-35 NKJV)

You are reading: 29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online. David showed Jonathan’s son kindness even after Jonathan’s death. Covenant friendships go beyond the grave.

Loyal Love rewarded in the Bible

Acts 3:1-11 - The people thought that it was Peter and John who did the miracle.

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.” (Acts 3:1-11 NKJV)

Acts 3:12-16 - In the past, Peter would gladly take the credit for the mighty work, but now he rightly credits God’s grace alone for the miracle.
Strong’s definition of Grace: The divine influence of God on our hearts.

“So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:12-16 NKJV)

II Timothy 1:15-18 - Onesiphorus’ name is in the Bible forever for his loyal friendship.

“This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.” (II Timothy 1:15-18 NKJV)

Philippians 2:21-29 - God found Epaphroditus’ loyal friendship important enough to include in the Bible.

“For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem;” (Philippians 2:21-29 NKJV)

You are reading: 29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online. In the past, Peter would gladly take the credit for the mighty work, but now he rightly credits God’s grace alone for the miracle.

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29 October 2017 - The Importance of Covenant Friends - New Creation Church Sermon Notes Online - Reverend Col Stringer Sermon Notes Online

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