A Friend Every Person Should Know

A FRIEND EVERY PERSON SHOULD KNOW

INTRODUCTION:

A. We need close friends.
B. You can have such a friend in Jesus.
C. Consider five traits that make Jesus a great friend.

I. JESUS WAS MOVED BY THE TRUE WORTH OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
A. Jesus was a friend to tax collectors and sinners (Lk. 5:27-32).
B. Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:1-10).
C. Jesus took time for a woman living in sin (Jn. 4:1-41).
D. Jesus took time for a woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn. 8:1-11).
E. Jesus was willing to die for all men (1 Pet. 1:18-20).

II. JESUS WAS MOVED BY HIS LOVE FOR LOST HUMANITY.
A. Jesus set a new standard for love (Jn. 15:12-13).
B. Jesus’ standard is for all His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35).
C. Jesus saw us when we were dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-10).
D. Jesus’ love for us moved Him to leave heaven’s glory (Phil. 2:5-8).

III. JESUS WAS MOVED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT AWAITS THE LOST.
A. Jesus warns us of the horror of hell (Mt. 25:30, 41-46).
B. Jesus did not come to condemn the world , but to save it (Jn. 3:16-17).
C. Jesus snatches the lost out of the fire (Jude 22-23).
D. If a person is lost…

IV. JESUS WAS MOVED TO SEE THE POSSIBILITIES IN EVERY PERSON.
A. Jesus saw a stone in Peter (Jn. 1:42).
B. Jesus saw something in James and John other than “Sons of Thunder” (Lk. 9:51-55; Acts 12:1-2; Rev. 1:9).
C. Jesus wants to shape and mold us (Rm. 9:20-26).

V. JESUS IS A ROLE MODEL EVERYONE CAN FOLLOW.
A. Who is your hero?
B. Jesus is a worthy role model.
1. Jesus followed wisdom from His youth (Eccl. 12:1; Lk. 2:42-49).
2. Jesus taught us that greatness is in servitude (Mt. 20:25-28).
3. Jesus shows us that life does not consist of possessions (Lk. 12:13-21).
4. Jesus taught us how to pray (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:1-4).

CONCLUSION:

A. We can know we are Jesus’ friends by our obedience (Jn. 15:14; 1 Jn. 5:2-3).
B. No one can claim friendship with Jesus who does not do what He says (Lk. 6:46).