Pursuing Godly Relationships

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Pursuing Godly Relationships
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Our Relationship with Family
whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is
my brother and sister and mother.
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Review of Relationships

• Blessed are those who love you, O God, and love
  their friends in you and their enemies for your
  sake. They alone will never lose those who are
  dear to them for they love them in one who is
  never lost, in God, our God (St. Augustine).
• Relationships that are not supernatural, are
  superficial.
• Romans 1218If it is possible, as far as it
  depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

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Pursuing Godly Relationships with our

• PEERS / FRIENDS

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Do we know who are real friends are?

• Money
• Similar interests
• Personal Gain
• Convenience
• Church
• Shared values

The idea of an earthly fellowship founded upon
just common interests, or human nature, or
physical ties like in a family, or purely
physical church affiliation, or merely
self-centered interests that sport enthusiasts
might share together was completely foreign to
the Apostles.
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St. Augustine on friendship

• We were both the same age, both together in the
  heyday of youth, and both absorbed in the same
  interests. We had grown up together gone to
  school together, and played together. Yet ours
  was not the friendship that should be between
  true friendsFor though they cling together, no
  friends are true friends unless you, my God, bind
  them fast to one another through that love which
  is sown in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (The
  Confessions).

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Biblical Perspectives

• Eccl. 48-12
• Two is better than one, were meant to be in
  relationship
• John 1512-17
• Jesus described friendship in terms of sacrifice
  and service
• Proverbs 2717 1824 1717
• Friendship is family in the Body of Christ
• Galations 326-29
• Friendship is not based on whether we like
  someone
• Acts 242
• Fellowship, was one of the four things they
  committed themselves to
• Sharing with everyone as there was need
• Galatians 513-15
• Commandment is to love one another, not use one
  another to get ahead
• 1Thes. 49-10 511
• No matter how good your relationships are, do so
  more and more
• Hebrews 1024
• Friends are meant to be a spur

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Eric Clapton Nobody knows you when youre down
and out

• Once I lived the life of a millionaire,Spent
  all my money, I just did not care.Took all my
  friends out for a good time,Bought bootleg
  whisky, champagne and wine. Then I began to
  fall so low,Lost all my good friends, I did not
  have nowhere to go.I get my hands on a dollar
  again,I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle
  grins. 'Cause no, no, nobody knows youWhen
  you're down and out.In your pocket, not one
  penny,And as for friends, you don't have any.
  When you finally get back up on your feet
  again,Everybody wants to be your old long-lost
  friend.Said it's mighty strange, without a
  doubt,Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
  

When you finally get back upon your feet
again,Everybody wants to be your good old
long-lost friend.Said it's mighty
strange,Nobody knows you,Nobody knows
you,Nobody knows you when you're down and out.
Look to the right and see For there is no one
who regards me There is no escape for me No one
cares for my soul (Ps. 1424).
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LEAN ON ME (Bill Withers)

• Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all
  have sorrow. But if we are wise, we know that
  there's always tomorrow. Lean on me, when you're
  not strong and I'll be your friend. I'll help
  you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna
  need somebody to lean on.
• Please swallow your pride, if have things you
  need to borrow. For no one can fill those needs
  that you won't let show.
• You just call on me brother when you need a hand.
  We all need somebody to lean on. I just might
  have a problem that you'll understand. We all
  need somebody to lean on.
• Lean on me when you't not strong, and I'll be
  your friend. I'll help you carry on, for it
  won't be long 'til I'm gonna' need somebody to
  lean on.
• You just call on me brother if you need a friend.
  We all need somebody to lean on. I just might
  have a problem that you'll understand. We all
  need somebody to lean on.
• If there is a load you have to bear that you
  can't carry. I'm right up the road, I'll share
  your load if you just call me.
• Call me ( if you need a friend) Call me (REPEAT
  AND FADE)

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Michael W Smith

• Friends are friends forever, if the Lord is the
  Lord of them,
• And a friend will not say never, cause the
  welcome will not end
• Though it's hard to let you goIn the Father's
  hands I know
• That a lifetime's not too long... to live as
  friends."