Faith and Friendship

I listened to this blog 2 days ago in Arkansas, but I didn't bring my computer, so I'm just now getting to post my notes, and to once again, insist that you listen to Breakaway Ministries podcasts. :)

This podcast was basically about being friends with people who aren't Christians, and about how to go about it without straying from your faith, and how to confront a friend that has fallen under worldly influence. So this is one that I would seriously prefer you to go listen to because I listened to this pretty late that night and my focus was a little off, and my notes are a little random and don't flow well, but i'm posting them anyway. Also, just because this is something that I feel is a necessity for every believer to be knowledgeable about, and you will learn more from Ben then you will from me.

This is not related to the podcast at all, but I'm so excited about it I just have to tell everyone. I just ordered Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, his autobiography. This book shows you his journey on how he went from being an atheist to becoming a believer. And as you guys know, I quote him on Facebook everyday, and I will, probably for the rest of my life. So deal with it :) I'll probably post bits and peaces of it on here and Facebook pretty often, so watch for those.

Here's my podcast notes: (p.s. It'd be advisable to look up the bible verses as you go through this, theres a lot of history in there and if you don't already know it you might not follow this very well.)


2/7/2011
Breakaway Ministries
Faith and Friendship
(Life of Abraham)
Genesis 14

-Where is the Christian supposed to go? (social wise)
-An allegiance with Christ changes things.
-Impacts every area of life, including friendships.
-Abram is constantly brought to us in the bible as a model of walking by faith.
-Genesis 14:1-12.
-About war. Kings of the north vs. kings of the south. (Sodom and Gomorrah)
-4 kings take all of Sodom and Gomorrah’s stuff after the victory, including Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions.
-Who’s Lot?
-”Righteous Lot” aka, A believer.
-Lot chooses to live in Sodom, even though he knows it is said to be wicked.               -Even though he is a believer, he has chosen to live among the Sodomites.
-So when the Sodomites make a bad decision, he pays for it too. Sound familiar?
-Lot is a representative of a believer who decides to make his closest social sphere those who don’t share that same allegiance.
-Lot is a great case for us to see that there should be some division.
-If you don’t:
1. Your going to reap what they sow.
2. Your going to adopt their ways
“Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals”
3. You end up having less of an impact as a believer.
-2 Corinthians 6:14- Do not be yoked together with unbelievers, for what of righteousness and wickedness have in common are what fellowship can light have with darkness.
-The believer is supposed to have a sense of distance.
-Abram has allies from different tribes. He strikes his balance where he’s in their world, but not of their world. Unlike Lot.
-He lives by then, not with them.
-Jesus did hang out with tax collectors and sinners, but he always kept that sense of distance.
-You can be the sober, Christian guy in the bar trying to make a difference, but after a year or two, what fruit have you seen?
-You should be able to have relationships with anybody whose willing, but remember, Jesus always went home to his disciples.
-Jesus kept a circle around him of the same allegiance.
-Paul was the same.
-Get close Christian friends that love you and will be with you for your lifetime.
-If you don’t have them, jump into a small group. But don’t forget about everyone else as you grow.
-When you have your crew, what happens when you see one of your friends go leaping head-long into depravity?
-Go get them, but go with wisdom.
-When Abram went and got Lot, he brought 300 men with him.
-Be merciful with doubters. Be gracious, but always do it with wisdom.