Making Friends For Eternity

MAKING FRIENDS FOR ETERNITY

Mike Prah

August 5, 2017

 

“The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (GWT)

 

“Now we rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God – all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins – making us friends of God.”  Romans 5:11 (LB)

 

“God has restored our relationship with Him through Christ, and He has given us this ministry of restoring relationships.”  2 Corinthians 5:18 (GWT)

 

 

 HOW TO BUILD A BRIDGE TO UNBELIEVERS

 

 1. BE PROACTIVE.

            “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31 (NIV)

 

 

 2. DEMONSTRATE GOD’S LOVE

 

“Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ.”  Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

 

“Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.”  1 John 3:17 (LB)

 

By Accepting Everybody

Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”        Romans 15:7 (NLT)

 

By Affirming Them

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

 

By Assisting Them

“You show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.” 1 John 3:18 (CEV)

 

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV)

 

“Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God’s Good News with you, but even our own lives.”  1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NCV)

 

 

Foreign exchange student’s testimony:

“My friend built a bridge of friendship from his heart to mine and Jesus Christ walked across the bridge.” 

 

 

3. IDENTIFY COMMON GROUND

 

“Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”  1 Corinthians 9:22b (LB)

 

4. EXPECT GOD TO USE YOU.

 

(Jesus to His disciples)  “… Do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”  Matthew10:19-20 (NIV)

 

“Our only goal is to please God… for we must all stand before Christ to be judged… So we try to help people accept the truth.  The love of Christ control us because we know that One died for all.”  2 Corinthians 5:9-11, 14 (ICB)

 

This is LSC’s Season of Evangelism:

What will be my part?