Choose Wisely

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Lessons on choosing friends from Jesus’ model

1. Your choice in friends reveals who you are

Be a friend: Prov 18:24 “A man who has friends 6must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”

Jesus had an inner circle of close friends

The Venn Diagram circles that connect commonalities

Jesus chose people that would go with him to the deep

Jesus chose people who were working

You have different circles

Circles that connect acquaintances (work, school, etc)

Circles that connect core values (faith)

Moving people from outer circles to inner circles

Test them with small things to develop trust

Jesus did this with Simon (Peter, James, and John)

2. Friends should look for the best for you

Love your friends: Prov 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Jesus told Peter to go out to the deep water for a catch

Peter had worked all night and did not catch anything but He trusted Jesus

They caught their biggest catch ever

They left their businesses and followed Jesus

They knew Jesus had better for them

3. Friends must be constant in all seasons

You do not want fair weather friends

The story of the bird that did not fly south (freshman year of high school) 1st class of high school - the teacher’s introduction

Prov 17:17 “17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Networking is a one and done type of relationship

You only get business cards and a handshake

Relationships must be forever

The Story of the Prodigal Son

You don’t know you have a friend until you have lived all seasons with them

4. Understand that even Jesus had a Judas

In this world you will have trouble

Be wise when you choose friends

Even when you exercised great caution you may still end up with a Judas

Jesus still called Judas friend

Do not repay evil for evil

Imagine the heartache suffered by Jesus at the hands of Judas

Judas was with Jesus every day for around three years

He saw the miracles

He saw the dead come back to life

He saw the deaf hear

He saw the blind eyes opened

He saw the mute tongue loosed

He saw the demon possessed delivered

His problem was that he always selfish

Selfish people can become your Judas

Don’t be a Judas, put others before yourself

5. Friends add value to the relationship

Prov 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

In your time of trouble, real friends will be there

In your time of need, real friends will be there

In times of need, be there for your friends

Those that only take and never give are selfish

Add value to your relationships

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