September 4 // At The Movies week 4

AT THE MOVIES

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for times of adversity.       Proverbs 17:17

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.      Proverbs 18:24

An open rebuke is better than hidden love. Wounds from a sincere friend are better than kisses from an enemy.      Proverbs 27:5 - 6

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love just as I have kept my commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and so that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants cause a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends for everything that I learned from my Father I have now made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit. Fruit that will last. And so that whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”     John 15:9 - 17

FIVE THINGS THAT WILL HELP US BRING SACRIFICIAL LOVE INTO OUR FRIENDSHIPS:

WE NEED TO BE AUTHENTIC OR REAL IN OUR FRIENDSHIPS

IF WE WANT GREAT FRIENDSHIPS, WE MUST BE WILLING TO LISTEN

Be quick to listen, slow to speak.      James 1:19b

GREAT FRIENDS ENCOURAGE YOU

We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.      Hebrews 10:24

GREAT FRIENDS MAKE A ONE-WAY COMMITMENT WITH YOU RATHER THAN FORM A CONTRACT WITH YOU

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.      Romans 8:35

BY GIVING GIFTS WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN

“I know longer call you servants, rather I call you my friends.” John 15:15