Auburn SDA Church
Christ's Method
  • Watch, Ye Saints
  • Look for the Waymarks
  • Tread Softly
  • Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
  • Come, Ye Thankful People

      • Matthew 4.23NKJV

      • Matthew 4.24-25NKJV

  • A British publication once offered a prize
    for the best definition of a friend.
    Among the thousands
    of answers received
    were the following:
    "One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
    "One who understands our silence."
    "A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
    "A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
    The winning definition read:
    "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
    This is a continuation
    of the sermon series
    Each One Win One.
    God has called all of us
    to make disciples
    for His kingdom.
    Everyone,
    Old or Young
    Rich or Poor
    Male or Female
    Each Ethnicity
    All are called.
    Everyone can make a friend.

    Overcomplicated Evangelism

    I fear we have
    made soul winning
    too complicated.
    We have made it seem
    like only professionals
    can even do it.
    Winning souls
    is winning friends!
    And influencing them
    in a positive way.
    Ministry of Healing Medical Missionaries and Their Work

    Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good.

    He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”

    Now,
    let’s break it down...

    Mingling

    Mingling is about
    making new friends.
    Have Friends That Are Not Church Members
    Risk and Reward of
    Relationship with Unbelievers
    In some places
    the Bible warns about
    worldly friends.
    Chris and Chris
    from Sac State.
    To the Young
    Be Careful
    To the Mature
    Proceed Cautiously
    Jesus struck the balance:
    John 17:15–16 ESV
    I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one...
    We should be here,
    in the world.
    not of the world.
    While we are
    in the world
    we must have
    friends in this world!
    We have been commanded:
    Matthew 28:19 ESV
    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    Can’t make a disciple
    of someone we don’t
    know very well.
    Be Intentional at Creating Relationships
    Just read book
    Let Them Theory.
    Studies show
    pillars of friendship is:
    1. close proximity
    2. shared life timing
    3. energy
    In childhood school
    friendship was natural.
    Lots of proximity.
    In adult life,
    we must try...
    Colossians 4:5–6 ESV
    Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
    We must be friendly!
    If we want
    to make friends
    we must be friendly!!!
    Sounds simple...
    but so true.
    While in line.
    To pick up kids.
    Silence is deafening.
    We are Relationally Retarded
    Statistics about social media and social skills
    People who spent over two hours daily on social media were twice as likely to report feeling socially isolated compared to those who spent under 30 minutes.
    Research has found that adolescents who use social media have lower self-esteem and higher levels of negative body image, with a higher risk of "fear of missing out" (FOMO) and relational aggression.
    Young people are especially affected, with 79% of adults aged 18-24 reporting feeling lonely, compared to 41% of those 66 and older.
    Proverbs 18:1 ESV
    Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
    We have become
    professional isolators.
    Shop from home.
    Work from home.
    Exercise at home.
    Learn at home.
    We must break trends
    fight against trend of isolation.
    How?
    Mingle.
    Intentionally Mingle.
    Stop being so busy.
    Take time for people.
    Intentionally pursue relationships.
    Find shared interests
    Triathlon - Jeremy
    Homesteading - Couple
    Kayaking -
    Basketball -
    Hiking Club -

    Showing Sympathy

    This is a world of
    brokenness
    hurt
    loneliness.
    You don’t have to
    look very far to
    find someone who
    needs a friend.
    What do they need most?
    Listen
    First stage of sympathy
    is to simply listen.
    James 1:19 ESV
    Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
    I struggle with
    not listening.
    Or only listening enough
    to build argument
    or give quick advice.
    Proverbs 18:13 ESV
    If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
    Sit with friends
    Like Job’s friends
    Job 2:13 ESV
    And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
    This is sympathy.
    Sit and listen.
    When the spoke
    they made a mess
    accused Him
    spoke falsehood about God.
    Their friendship was amazing
    until they opened their mouth.
    Friend parents divorce
    walk in park.
    ice cream.
    Care
    Galatians 6:2 ESV
    Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
    Stages of caring:
    Be present
    Listen
    Awareness of need
    You can’t support them
    unless you know
    what they need.
    Frequently,
    those who are hurting
    cannot articulate need
    won’t ask for help.
    But a perceptive listener
    will take note of
    what type of support
    they could use.
    Proverbs 27:9 HCSB
    Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.
    People need friends
    who are sweet.
    who don’t need to
    be asked to help.
    Be perceptive to
    moments of need.
    Moments of Pain
    moments of spiritual growth.
    Brother - Divorce
    Friend - Admin Leave
    Raluca - Dad in ER
    Pain is everywhere.
    If you listen and care
    they will share the pain.
    Neighbor in Berrien Springs
    Look hard
    suddenly dying
    lonely...
    Empathy
    Romans 12:15 ESV
    Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
    People want
    cheerleaders:
    Celebrate wins.
    cornerman
    Boxing match
    Getting beat down
    encouragement support.
    Don’t Highlight Faults
    1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV
    For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
    If someone is not
    professing to be something
    they can live however they want.
    Let Them.
    Once they become
    member of the body
    there must be standards.
    Don’t argue with them.
    Or highlight their short-comings.
    The truth is,
    whether they willing to admit
    they already know.
    They already
    experience much shame.
    Don’t address growth areas
    until they trust you!
    Dad used to say
    Joseph - You could
    argue with the wall.
    As a young person
    won lots of arguments
    not very many friends.

    Ministering to Needs

    Actions Speak Louder Than Words
    James 1:27 ESV
    Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction...
    If we would
    be like christ,
    we must be near people.
    People who are hurting.
    James goes on,
    Next chapter:
    James 2:15–16 ESV
    If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
    If we see need
    and say,
    “I’ll pray for you...”
    Don’t take action...
    We are not:
    friend
    Christian.
    We can’t help all
    but God places
    specific people
    for each of us to
    love and help.
    I’m over my head
    (not my greatest spiritual gift)
    too much need
    too many people.
    I need your help
    can’t call you
    (break confidence).
    I need perceptive members
    love each other
    notice needs.
    Don’t Ask, “Can I Do Something?”
    Just bring the food.
    Raluca listened
    brought food
    shared phone number.

    Winning Confidence

    Natural Consequence
    How hard was it
    for us to win
    neighbor’s heart?
    Divine opportunities
    perceptive heart
    intentional actions.
    Create Spiritual Friendship
    1 Peter 2:12 ESV
    Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
    1 Peter 3:15 NIV
    But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
    Suddenly became natural to say
    “I’m praying for you.”
    “Would you like to
    study the Bible together?”
    “Do you want to
    come to my small group?”

    Follow Me

    Once you have
    won their confidence
    it is time for
    an invitation.
    Jesus’ words:
    Matthew 4:19 ESV
    And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
    Invitation
    There may be some,
    who are already on the stage
    ready for invitation.
    They are
    friends,
    you know their needs
    you ministered to their needs
    they truly trust you.
    You’ve been there for them.
    It is time for
    invitation of some kind.
    Lot’s of different
    type of invitations:
    Invite to church social
    Invite to prayer meeting
    Invite to small group study
    Invite to SS
    Invite to christian campout
    Invite to lunch with other church members
    Invite to church
    Invite to bible studies
    Invite to prophecy seminar
    Invite to consider baptism
    Three Ways To Invite Someone
    Invite in morning.
    Invite in afternoon.
    Invite in evening.
    Don’t be paralyzed
    by fear of rejection.
    The biggest invitation
    usually unspoken:
    1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
    Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

    Appeal

    People need friends.
    You need friends.
    Make a friend
    Lead them toward Christ
    with your example.
    Isaiah 6:8 ESV
    And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
    D. L. Moody wrote the following words next to Isaiah 6:8 in his Bible:
    “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”
    God and do it.
    Make a friend
    for God’s kingdom.

      • John 17:15–16NKJV

      • Matthew 28:19NKJV

      • Colossians 4:5–6NKJV

      • Proverbs 18:1NKJV

      • James 1:19NKJV

      • Proverbs 18:13NKJV

      • Job 2:13NKJV

      • Galatians 6:2NKJV

      • Proverbs 27:9NKJV

      • Romans 12:15NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 5:12NKJV

      • James 1:27NKJV

      • James 2:15–16NKJV

      • 1 Peter 2:12NKJV

      • 1 Peter 3:15NKJV

      • Matthew 4:19NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:1NKJV

      • Isaiah 6:8NKJV

  • I Will Follow Thee
  • The Nativity Song
  • Away in a Manger
  • Sing for the King
  • Starlight - Children's Christmas Song
  • If I Were There
  • Prince of Peace Song
  • Let There Be Peace On Earth
Auburn SDA Church
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