The Nature of True Friendship

 Pastor’s Pen…

Most of us have a lot of acquaintances, a number of casual friendships, and a very small number of true, deep, authentic friends. Why is this true? There are many factors. For one thing, opening our hearts to someone else is risky. If we have been abused or betrayed, trust can be difficult. Some of us have personalities that make it difficult to build close relationships.

The Bible has a great deal to say about genuine friendships. In the Old Testament, Proverbs talks about the benefits of friendships in chapter 17, 18 and especially 27. In the New Testament, one of the words translated love, philos, describes a love that sees merit are worth in another. (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1)


there is perhaps no clearer illustration of genuine friendship in Scripture than that which we find in connection with the relationship between David and Jonathan the son of King Saul. This weekend we will examine how this friendship came about, the difference it made in their lives, and the significance of this relationship to us.

We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons. 


If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to have you! We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.


If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)




“The Nature of True Friendship”                                                                                  1 Samuel 19:1-7                                                                                            

  • The origin of this friendship
    • A common trust in the LORD God 
    • Both ‘team players’
    • Both operated with a combination of faith and careful planning
    • Both experienced personal victory by trusting God 
    • Both were used by God to lead their people to victory
    • As a result, both were loved by the people
  • The expression of this friendship 
    • Its essence: ‘one in spirit’
    • Its foundation: unconditional love
    • Its operation: generosity  
    • Its banner: ongoing loyalty in the face of adversity
  • The significance of this friendship to us 
  • Proverbs 17:17
  • Proverbs 18:24
  • Proverbs 27:6
  • Proverbs 27:10
  • Proverbs 27:17


*******


Prayer items: 


Let’s remember Carroll and Kay Holley and family in the passing of Holley’s mother


The family of Evelyn Henderson, and of Robert Shirley


Jimmy McDaniel 


Viviana’s brother in Colombia is significantly better


Pamela Brannon, recovering from knee surgery.

Barbara’s nephew and wife: she’s in ICU, they are losing their house

Dennis Ramsey’s mother is battling two cancers plus other health issues. Pray also for Kim, who is recovering an outpatient procedure

Jim’s sister Shari

Feel free to contact me with urgent prayer requests, and I will include them in my weekly ‘Pastor’s Pen’ texts

                                                             *******

RADIO THIS EVENING: The pandemic is only one of many challenges we’ve been facing in 2020. This weekend on Encouragement Live, Dr. Erwin Lutzer will discuss his book Pandemics, Plagues and Natural Disasters will join me to provide insight and encouragement in light of the events of 2020. 

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05-8:00 PM in 90.5 FM (AFR), and on theworshipchannel.org. Arebroadcast can be heard Sunday at 9:00 PM central time on theworshipchannel.org. 

May our Savior’s grace and peace continue to encourage you as you trust in Him during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                          Interim Pastor


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