Friends
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 MSG, John 11

“We have a substantive amount of young men who think they can achieve a satisfactory life on a screen, on a phone or with an algorithm. They are not going out socially, few have plans for the future, they don't have the self-confidence to approach new people for friendship, mentorship, employment or even women for future relationships.”
Professor Chris Galloway UCLA

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there’s no one to help, tough! By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

“We need a place outside of the home (the first place) and the workplace (the second place) where people go to converse with others and connect with their community.”

It is a place where we can interact with friends and members of our community
Third Places: What Are They and Why Are They Important to American Culture? Ray Ortland

• Jesus had a “third place”.
• Jesus first place was his family.
• Jesus “second place” was his ministry and the disciples.
• Jesus “third place” was Bethany with Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
• Bethany was 2 miles away from Jerusalem.
• For Jesus, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany was “a third place.
• “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).
• To build friendships you must make “friendship deposits”
• And in tough times we need to make “friendship withdrawals”.
• True friends have time for the friendship or make time for the friendship.

“Hey Pastor Brian! I listened to your message on friendships this morning. Then a friend asked me to go to a last minute lunch but I honestly just wanted to eat at my desk, I thought of your message and how you said true friends make space and time for the friendship. So I’m going to the lunch.

Follow up- the bill was $25. You are paying for the expenses when we make time and space for friendship right??

• True friends are are transparent with emotion and troubles
• True friends are good listeners
• True friends, guard secrets!!!
• True friends, are faithful in adversity
• True friends, speak the truth, even if it hurts
• True friends, pray for each other

Building friendships and relationships in the church

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity
Acts 2:42, 44, 46

The iPhone and Instagram were created in 2010. Since then teenage mental illness is up 134%, depression an increase 106 % and anxiety up 139%.

Anxious Generation, Jonathon Haidt
https://jonathanhaidt.com/anxious-generation/

Friendship and Loneliness

60% of young adults report feeling serious loneliness. There's a health problem, social isolation prolonged is linked to a 26% increased risk of premature death.

Americans report that they don't engage regularly in any community group or gathering.

With technological advances, we have overflowing digital connections, but we're lonelier than ever. The average person spends over 2 1/2 hours per day on social media but engages in less than 30 minutes of meaningful in-person conversation.

Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2021

• Loneliness: Intentional lack of contact with others or society.

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV

• Loneliness results in a sadness as a result of having no/few friends or relationships.
• Sometimes in our desperation for friendship, we push others away.

Let’s make it our goal to end loneliness in our church!
• Be looking for people you don’t know and introduce yourself.
• Invite others to lunch, a church gathering, a small group or ministry.

When is it appropriate to end a friendship?
• A person is controlling or manipulative.
• They are negatively influencing your own heart, choices and walk with God.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

• Maybe it is not permanent end to the relationship, but just a need for some space!

If You Will Do Three Things...
• Admit
• Believe
• Confess

Then God Will Do Three Things!!! He will give you…
• Forgiveness of Sins
• A New Life
• Eternal Life

Prayer
Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and want to turn from my sinful past toward you. Please forgive me.

I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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