This past weekend Pastor Dale kicked off the new sermon series, “The Relationship Tug of War.” He took us into the book of Proverbs to show us just what God’s Word says about our relationships with friends. Here are some of Pastor Dale’s sermon notes… feel free to watch the sermon again or for the first time if you missed it this past weekend at wooddalechudev.wpengine.com/sermon-archive.
Here are a few of the important notes Pastor Dale wanted to share:
The eleventh century monk Aelred of Rievaulx wrote a book called Spiritual Friendship, in his book he emphasized the following steps towards finding a suitable friend:
- Friends should be chosen based on godly or good character.
- They should be tested based on loyalty, right intention, discretion and patience. If the person is seen to exhibit slander, pride, betrayal or harm towards others they should be rejected for friendship.
- If the person passes the test of friendship they should be accepted and treated as a friend deserves.
As you think about friendship consider these characteristics of being a true friend:
- A True Friend Shows Up
- A friend loves at all times…Proverbs 17:17
- …but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
- A True Friend Is Empathetic
- Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Proverbs 25:20
- A True Friend Speaks The Truth Even If It Is Painful
- Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:5-6
- A True Friend Always Speaks The Truth From The Heart
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9
- As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
See you next week as we continue “The Relationship Tug of War.”