Romans 5:5-8

Romans 5:5-8 (New Living Translation)

And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Jesus saidJesus said“I CALL YOU FRIENDS”“I CALL YOU FRIENDS”

● ● Jesus loves us, warts and all.Jesus loves us, warts and all.

● ● When I think about the need to earn God’s love I’ll When I think about the need to earn God’s love I’ll have to remember that scripture: While still sinners have to remember that scripture: While still sinners Christ died for us. It that cool or what!Christ died for us. It that cool or what!

● ● I need a friend like Jesus…He made the first I need a friend like Jesus…He made the first move and doesn’t reject me when I blow it.move and doesn’t reject me when I blow it.

● ● Such friendship challenges me to be a sacrificing Such friendship challenges me to be a sacrificing friend…and a hopeful one too.friend…and a hopeful one too.

FRIENDS… FRIENDS… A RARE COMMODITY, INDEED!A RARE COMMODITY, INDEED!

THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIPDESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIPDESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIPDESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIPDESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

THE BIBLE: THE STORY THE BIBLE: THE STORY OF JESUSOF JESUS

Remembering Remembering how the bread how the bread and wine and wine represent represent God’s love God’s love and friendship and friendship with each of with each of us.us.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I have chosen to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

DISBELIEF COULD HAVE A PERSON PUSHING DISBELIEF COULD HAVE A PERSON PUSHING AWAY GOD’S OFFERS OF LOVE AND PEACEAWAY GOD’S OFFERS OF LOVE AND PEACE

Plenty of human dealings Plenty of human dealings are based on are based on ‘getting’. ‘getting’.

THE EXTREMITY OF SUCH LOVETHE EXTREMITY OF SUCH LOVE

WE WERE INVALIDSWE WERE INVALIDS…LIKE OTHERS JESUS RESCUED:…LIKE OTHERS JESUS RESCUED:

DESPITE GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, A DESPITE GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP IS CONDITIONALMUTUAL RELATIONSHIP IS CONDITIONAL

PRAYER & PRAISE

● ● BecauseBecause Jesus loves us, warts and all, I Jesus loves us, warts and all, I will not require perfection of others as a will not require perfection of others as a basis for my friendship.basis for my friendship.

● ● Because I did not have to earn God’s love Because I did not have to earn God’s love I will not make my friends I will not make my friends earnearn my love. my love.

● ● I will be a friend like Jesus…He made the I will be a friend like Jesus…He made the first move and didn’t reject me. I will make first move and didn’t reject me. I will make the first move with others.the first move with others.

● ● God’s friendship challenges me to be a God’s friendship challenges me to be a sacrificing and loving friend to others.sacrificing and loving friend to others.