Church notes - 3rd May 2020

3rd May
Psalm 34:8

Sunday School - Joseph trusting in God.

Hebrews 11:8-18

The Apostles Creed

    I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
    I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
    He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
    and born of the virgin Mary.
    He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried.
    He descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of the saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26
Matthew 28:16 - 20

What makes a good friend?
Loyalty, Honesty, Acceptance, being vulnerable and real, being there when one needs you to be there.

Jesus is there 24/7.
2 Chronicles 20:7
Isaiah 41:8 - 10
James 2:20 - 24
Abraham as God's friend

What does it take to be a friend of God.
Time
Time to spend with each other. Shared experiences. Trust. Friends are people you want to spend time with.

'Friendship is something that Abraham and God did together.
Abraham and God met together for the sake of meeting; as perhaps Abraham whittles a stick or fixes a tent peg. They are simply together the two of them, a being themselves; enjoying each other's company' - Frederick Buechner.

Tolerance
A lot of love and sometimes a little blindness.
Tolerating our faults. There were times Abraham didn't respond with faith.
Telling others that Sarah was his sister.
Ishmael being conceived.
But he walked with dependence on God.

Trust
He trusted God.

Hebrews 11:1, 2

A friend - someone who walks in when everyone else walks out.
Abraham trusted God more than the visible circumstances.
Genesis 12:1 - 9
Abraham leaving to go to the land where God wants him to go.

Genesis 13
Genesis 16:1 -4
Genesis 22:1 - 19
Although there were times when he faltered, Abraham trusted God through each circumstance.

When difficulty hits:
Romans 4:18 - 25
Friendship with God is possible.
Time, Tolerance, Trust

But, one needs to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, if they haven't already.