friendship

1
friendship

• evangelism

2
come see for yourself

• In John 1 we find Andrew discovering the truth
  about Jesus. The first thing that he does is
  find his brother, Simon, and bring him to Jesus.

3
people need friends

• our nation has many people who are
• lonely
• not listened to
• stressed
• looking for community
• wanting to belong
• experiencing broken relationships

4
friends really count

• we can all become disciples who bring others to
  Jesus
• around 80 of people who become Christians do so
  because they had a friend who was a Christian

5
sam

• Sam was on a course and sat next to Leanne.
  Over coffee they got chatting and the issue of
  faith came up. Leanne told Sam a little about
  being a Christian and she seemed interested. At
  the end of the course Leanne invited Sam to a
  womens breakfast that her local church was
  holding. Sam was intrigued by the testimony she
  heard at the breakfast and on leaving the
  building said I just dont know how to do it.
  Do what replied Leanne. Become a Christian!
  So then and there Leanne led Sam to Jesus. Sam
  still has her ups and downs but Sam and Leanne
  have been friends now for over five years. Sams
  husband is not yet a Christian but is getting a
  little closer bit by bit!

6
how to make friends

• what do you do already? Play sport, drink
  coffee, shop, walk, read books, have people to
  dinner?
• you could do that activity with someone who is
  not yet a Christian
• who do you think you could be a friend to?

7
still making friends

• take your time, build a friendship
• listen to your friend
• be there when difficulties occur in their life
• share bits of your testimony when the time is
  right
• pray and fast for your friend, offer to pray for
  any needs that they may have

8
tony

• Tony was definitely not a Christian, in fact he
  was very anti Christian. But at university he
  met a Christian, Paul, and they became really
  good friends. But Paul seemed to make no impact
  on Tonys life. After graduating Tony seemed to
  have it all lovely girlfriend, great job,
  apartment near Sydney opera house, plenty of
  money. But in the space of a year his girlfriend
  went off with someone else at work, his father
  committed suicide and he came back to the UK. As
  they sat together over lunch, with real
  nervousness, Paul talked to Tony about life and
  death issues and a relationship with Jesus. This
  was the first time that Paul had talked to Tony
  in this way even though they had been friends for
  five years. Tony responded by saying You are
  the only person that I would have been prepared
  to hear that from. Did he become a Christian
  no? Were Tony and Paul still friends yes.

9
still being friends

• invite them to an evangelistic event and still be
  their friend if they say no
• remember that often people become Christians over
  a period of time
• be real, dont pretend that everything in your
  life is perfect and that you dont have struggles

10
friends

• you can be a wonderful friend to someone
• as you lead a godly life your lifestyle will make
  an impact. Philippians 2 in the Message says Go
  out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh
  air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide
  people with a glimpse of good living and of the
  living God.

11
What makes friendship hard?

• for many of us who have been Christians for a
  while we may not have many non Christian friends.
  But we can make a start
• we feel a bit nervous. Most of us feel like that
  but when we take one or two steps forward we will
  feel better
• were so busy. So why not include a new friend
  in something you already do?

12
you can be a friend

• who are you going to be a friend to?
• what can you and your friend do together?
• when are you going to make contact?
• remember lost people matter to God and you can
  make a difference