Welcome to New Covenant Church!

We are so glad you have joined us to celebrate the Risen Lord! This week, we will hear a lesson from Rev. Ruan Humphrey called "That Kind of Friend." Here are the scriptures for this week:

Scriptures
Psalm 23
Galatians 6:4-10
John 15:1-17

We look forward to seeing you online with us!

Hear the sermon now, "That Kind of Friend" - Rev. Ruan Humprey

Summary:

Jesus exemplifies the ultimate friend, encouraging persistent prayer and genuine relationships grounded in love, obedience, and support. Friendship is portrayed as a vital, God-designed bond that nurtures spiritual growth, mutual care, and resilience through life's challenges.

Jesus as the ultimate friend: Jesus is described as "that kind of friend" who is always present, especially in times of need, encouraging persistent prayer modeled in the parable of the importunate friend.
Persistence in prayer: The parable teaches believers to keep asking, seeking, and knocking persistently, as God values importunate prayer and will respond to shameless persistence.
Characteristics of true friendship: Friendship involves mutual affection, trust, support, shared experiences, honesty, and emotional care, essential for encouragement and spiritual protection.
Biblical examples of friendship: The friendship of David and Jonathan exemplifies loyalty and courage, while Paul and Barnabas demonstrate partnership in ministry, and Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi shows deep emotional bonds beyond lawful ties.
Acts of sacrificial friendship: The story of the paralytic and his four friends illustrate selfless love and determination to bring healing, embodying friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Jesus redefines friendship: Jesus elevates His disciples from servants to friends, linking friendship with love, obedience, joy, and self-sacrifice, calling believers to remain in His love.
The church as a family of faith: As a community of believers we are encouraged to be a supportive family where friendships grow, providing encouragement and protection against spiritual discouragement and loneliness.
Midnight friends and real presence: The concept of a "midnight friend" is emphasized as someone who is available in crises, mirroring Jesus’ friendship, and believers are encouraged to be such friends to others.
Sacrificial love as the highest friendship: Jesus’ teaching that "greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" underscores the Christian ideal of selfless love in friendship.

The essence of true friendship is beautifully illustrated through the teachings and examples found in the Bible. Jesus, as the ultimate friend, calls us to be persistent in our prayers, to love one another deeply, and to support each other through life's challenges. The parable of the persistent friend reminds us of the importance of persistence. At the same time, the friendships of David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, and Ruth and Naomi exemplify loyalty, courage, and unwavering support.

As church members, we are encouraged to build a community of faith where friendships can flourish, providing encouragement and protection against loneliness. The concept of a "midnight friend" emphasizes the importance of being there for each other in times of need, just as Jesus is always there for us. Ultimately, the greatest act of friendship is sacrificial love, as Jesus demonstrated by laying down His life for us.

Let us strive to be true friends to one another, reflecting the love and friendship that Jesus has shown us. By doing so, we can create a supportive and loving community that brings glory to God and enriches our lives.

P rayer