Learning to Love my Friend(s) 8

We had a good group to construct a Time Line of the Eddyville congregation two weeks ago. It is impressive to see the last 47 years of this church on a 20-foot poster. We will be getting together to discuss this history and what we learn from it.

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Jesus Is Willing to Help and Serve Me with Patience

A. A friend is someone who will help when you have a need.
B. A friend is someone who will ask you for help when he or she has a need.

I. JESUS DEMONSTRATED HIS PATIENCE WITH THE APOSTLES BY HELPING THEM TO RESOLVE AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
A. Who will be the greatest? Matthew 20:24; Mark 9:33,34; Luke 9:46; Luke 22:24
B. Jesus answered and illustrated the way to greatness over and over again. Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 9:35-37; Luke 9:47,48; Luke 22:25-27
C. It is interesting to notice the occasion of each argument concerning the issue of greatness. Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44,45; Luke 22:21-23

II. WHEN TALKING HAD NOT RESOLVED THE QUESTION OF GREATNESS, JESUS GAVE AN EXAMPLE, AN OBJECT LESSON.
A. Jesus performed a lowly act of service. John 13:3-11
B. Jesus did the act, then He reviewed the lesson.
1. He checked for understanding. John 13:12
a. Many people see, but never understand.
b. Change, growth, real help and learning comes from understanding. Matthew 13:15
2. Jesus washed their feet, not just to get their feet clean, but to teach a lesson. John 13:13-15
3. He put the issue of greatness in perspective. John 13:16
4. When a lesson has been given, we get a passing grade and a diploma only if we complete the assignment. John 13:17
5. Much of our effectiveness as a helper and teacher will be determined by how we relate to people. John 13:20; Matthew 10:40

III. JESUS’ GREATEST ACT OF SERVICE WAS THE GIVING OF HIS LIFE.
A. In this, He taught us about service. 1 John 3:16-18
1. He died because He chose to serve and to do the will of His Father. John 10:17,18
2. He died with much struggle and pain. Matthew 27:45-50
3. He served, died, knowing the reward that would be His. Hebrews 12:1,2
B. These same principles need to be a part of my service to others.
1. Choice.
2. Much service will involve inconvenience and pain.
3. I will be rewarded.

IV. JESUS IS STILL SERVING US TODAY.
A. He talks to God, the Father for us. Hebrews 7:25
B. He is our Advocate. 1 John 2:1
1. He pleads our case from personal knowledge and experience of pain and difficulty. Hebrews 4:15
2. A defense lawyer can only be helpful when we have told Him what we have done that needs His defense. 1 John 1:9

Conclusion:
A. What is something we can learn from the disciples of Jesus in their disagreements that can be helpful in working with others who are troubled?
B. What are some ways you might be able to show a friend something you have been trying to tell them?
C. What are some ways we can make efforts for people to receive us in order that they might receive Jesus?
1. When are some times that it might be helpful to talk to someone else in behalf of a friend?
2. When would it be appropriate to stand beside a friend and plead his cause?
3. What is a situation that one might “lay down his life” for a friend without actually dying for that person?

Learning to Love my Friend(s) 7

Everyone was present and participated in the class tonight. We discussed the necessary, challenging, and sometimes difficult quality of telling the truth. Jesus was truth (John 14:6). Obviously, He told the truth.

We spend the last part of our class tonight thinking about telling the truth as it relates to selecting a preacher.

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I. JESUS IS MY EXAMPLE OF TELLING THE TRUTH.
A. Why was it easy for Jesus to tell the truth? John 14:6
B. How did Jesus tell the truth to those who were considering following Him? Luke 14:25-33
C. How did Jesus demonstrate dependability?
1. He made promises. Matthew 5:17,18; Luke 19:10
2. Jesus kept those promises, even when it was difficult.
a. Even when he didn’t feel well and wasn’t happy. Matthew 26:37,38
b. Even when He didn’t get the encouragement He needed. Matthew 26:40,41
c. Even when He asked over and over and could find no easier way than to do what He said He would do. Matthew 26:44
3. Jesus thought about getting out of His suffering.
a. If Jesus had prayed to His Father, what would He have given to Him? Matthew 26:53
b. What would have been the consequences of making the choice of calling for the angels? Matthew 26:54

II. HOW CAN I BE RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE?
A. Believe what Jesus said about the freeing quality of truth. John 8:32
B. Realize that consistent truthfulness is a difficult goal to reach.
1. Telling the truth is difficult because it is difficult to know the truth - even our own truth. Jeremiah 17:9; 1 John 1:8
2. Paul wrote to faithful Christians who needed to quit lying. Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 1:1; Acts 7:58
3. Although it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18), men do not always keep their promises. 2 Peter 3:9
4. This failure to keep promises may be due to:
a. Dishonesty.
b. Disability.
c. Lack of information.
d. Fear.
e. Forgetfulness.
C. Count the cost of not knowing, loving, and telling the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
D. Consider these principles.
1. Understand clearly what will be expected of you before you make promises. Mark 10:35,36
2. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. Mark 10:37-40
3. Mind your own business. Matthew 20:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
4. Don’t prop up what you say. Matthew 5:33-36
5. Say what you mean, mean what you say. Matthew 5:37
6. Be accountable when it doesn’t work out that way. 1 John 1:9
7. Is it the time to tell this part of the truth? John 16:12
8. Listen to understand before you talk to answer. Proverbs 18:13
9. Try to get all possible pertinent information from different sources before drawing conclusions. Proverbs 18:17
10. Be conscious of telling the truth in “little things.” Luke 16:10


Conclusion:
A. Why is telling the truth a leadership principle that we need to practice?
B. When are some times when it will be hard to tell the truth as a leader?
C. What will an effective leader do when he or she finds that what he or she has promised has not or will not come true?