Learning From Our Holidays Camaraderie May 22, 2011 S ermon theme = Camaraderie is a blessing from God and a call to be a part of our lives.

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1 Introduction Learning From Our Holidays Camaraderie May 22, 2011 S ermon theme = Camaraderie is a blessing from God and a call to be a part of our lives. Holiday Series for May = Loyalty Day, Mother s Day, Peace Officers Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Graduations Armed Forces Day (May 21) Open Bibles (John 15) Exegesis A Definition of Camaraderie o Camaraderie is a feeling of good friendship among people in a group; a spirit of familiarity and trust existing between friends. o From the old French for comrade (roommate) Illustration: Military forces h ttp:// The Blessing of Camaraderie Adam and God o Genesis 3:8-9 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" Abraham and God o James 2:23 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 1

2 o 2 Chronicles 20:7 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? Moses and God o Exodus 33:11 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. David and God o 1 Samuel 13:14 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command. The Call to Camaraderie The Basis of the Call o John 15: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. The Nature of the Call o John 15:17 17 This is my command: Love each other. o John 15:12 2

3 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. The Example of the Call o Acts 1:14 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. KJV continued with one accord o Acts 2:1 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. KJV with one accord in one place o Acts 2:46 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, KJV with one accord in the temple o Acts 4:24 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. KJV their voice to God with one accord o Acts 5:12 12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. K JV with one accord in Solomon's porch o Acts 15:25 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul-- KJV being assembled with one accord The Work of the Call o Romans 12: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 3

4 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Lessons in Camaraderie from the Military Time o Boot camp Effort o Boot camp 4

5 Commitment o Devotion and dedication to one another Choices o They may not be who you would have chosen but you choose for them to be the ones you will serve with Response As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are blessed by the camaraderie of God and called to be the blessing of camaraderie in the Body of Christ. Observers = Become a part of the Body Followers = Be the Body 5