Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 9, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
JESUS, THE FAITHFUL, CARING FRIEND
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 18:16-24
Text: Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Introduction: “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” There is also a Friend who sticks closer than the closest friend on earth. His name is Jesus. When no one else seems to care about you, I want you to know that HE cares.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
“He careth for you.” What precious words!
Jesus was accused of being the friend of publicans and sinners. I’m so glad that He is.
I. JESUS CARES ABOUT YOUR SORROWS
Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
A. He is acquainted with sorrows 1. Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
B. He is aware of our sorrows 1. Ex. 3:7 above
C. He is affected by our sorrows 1. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
II. JESUS CARES ABOUT YOUR STRESS AND STRUGGLES
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Christ supplies His GRACE for you and His STRENGTH for you that you can handle
A. The stress upon your home
B. The stress upon your health
C. The stress upon your heart 1. Doubts 2. Fears
III. JESUS CARES ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
A. Jesus has provided a supernatural teacher for you — the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost
B. Jesus has provided a supreme textbook for you — the scriptures
C. Jesus has provided a sympathetic tutor for you — the shepherd or pastor
IV. JESUS CARES ABOUT YOUR SOUL
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
A. He loves the sinner
B. He left heaven for the sinner
C. He lived as a man for the sinner
D. He lay down His life for the sinner 1. Voluntarily 2. Vicariously – for our sins, paying our sin- debt
E. He lives forever for the sinner
F. He is longsuffering toward the sinner today 1. If you have never been saved, you are LOST and only one heartbeat from hell. 2. The reason God has put up with your sinfulness up to this point is that He loves you and is patiently allowing you to have another opportunity to be saved.