“Love, The More Excellent Way” 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Charity envieth not…”

Christ Centered Relationships pt. 7, Godly Friendship, Lessons from David and Jonathan

Recorded Live 6/28/2026 Christ Centered Relationships Godly Friendships; What it looks like Godly Friends Love Selflessly 1 Samuel 18:1-4 “Knit together”- They had a mutual love and belief in God and His power They did not compete with one another. They rejoiced in God’s working in their lives Do my friends rejoice when God blesses me or do they show jealousy? Godly Friends Protect us from what will Harm Us 1 Samuel 19:1-7 Although it was uncomfortable and not popular, Jonathan always warned David of harm that was coming to him You’ll struggle in the spiritual battle of your closest influences aren’t fighting for what’s right too Godly Friendships Value Truth 1 Samuel 20 Because their friendship was built on honesty it could stand when examined and questioned Do your closest influences thrive on secrecy or can they welcome accountability Godly Friends Strengthen your walk with God 1 Samuel 20:13, 23:16-18 Jonathan pointed David to God. Do your closest influences point you to Him? After spending time with your closest influences, do you want more of God or less? Do my closest influences strengthen my hand in God? Godly Friends Encourage God’s Purpose 1 Samuel 23:17 Are your closest influences excited about God’s plan and purpose for your life? Do they encourage you in your spiritual walk, convictions, and goals? Godly friends make living in God’s will easier not harder

“Charity, The More Excellent Way” 1 Corinthians 13:7 “hopeth all things..”

If your hope is based on what you can see and what you feel like your hope will vanish quickly. When your hope is based on what God can do, you will always have a reason to HOPE in all things!

Teen Service, June 28, 2026, What are you doing with the Mirror?

Recorded Live 06/28/2026 The Revealing of the Mirror- vs 23, “a glass” vs 25, “perfect law of liberty” God has given us His Word to see ourselves in ways that otherwise we wouldn’t and couldn’t The Responsibility to the Mirror - vs 23, “beholding” vs 24, “beholdeth” vs 25, “looketh” We’re to look! Read, study, meditate The Two Responses First, Rejection - vs 24, “goeth his way and straightway forgetteth…” Second, Reevaluation - vs 25, Getting right what the mirror shows me. Going back to check and see. The Results First, Deception - vs 22, “deceiving your own selves” Second, Blessing - vs 25, “blessed in his deed”

Minutes of Mercy, “Charity, The More Excellent Way” 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Believeth all things..”

Biblical charity is not gullible or blind to sin. It just refuses to give up on what God can do in someone’s life. When we look at Christ, His work in others and in ourselves, we’re reminded that often what we see as finished products are really God’s work in progress!

Teen SS, 2 Samuel 13, Thought it Hard; Bad friends who make sin easier

Recorded Live 6/21/2026 Christ Centered Relationships Thought it hard; Bad friends who make sin easier The Characters * Amnon- David’s son with a sinful desire and living in distress (vs 1, 2) * We all have sinful desires. Do your closest influences point you to holiness or help you justify sin? * Jonadab - “subtil” * We must evaluate a person’s character before allowing their influence in our life The Counsel * Pressure - (vs 4) Some people are not concerned with helping you. They want to see what they can pressure you to do * Amnon caved when Jonadab provided the plan that Amnon couldn’t think of on his own * Do your closest influences pressure you toward sin, or walk with you toward Christ? * The Plan - (vs 5) The people who love you the most will tell you the things that are hard for you to hear * Do your friends make provision for your flesh? Do they help you sin? * A great danger is the person in your life who teaches you how to fulfill the temptation that you’re facing * The Path - (vs 6-14) Amnon became subtil like Jonadab was * (Prov. 13:20) Who you walk with will be who you become * (Prov. 4:26) If I keep this person around where is it leading me? The Consequences * * Tamar was Wounded - (vs 19) Who are you wounding by listening to Jonadab? * But (Fill in your name) ________________ had a friend……. What a tragic testimony to have * Amnon was Wrecked - (vs 14-15) He hated her with a hatred than he loved her with. He ultimately was killed (vs 28) * When you get the sin you thought you wanted, you’ll hate it. Sin can’t deliver what it promises.