"11: Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without!"

“To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.” Mark Nep, The Exquisite Risk

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. (Mark 2:13-14)

I have been reading a great book by Dr. Leonard Sweet. Dr. Sweet is a brilliant person, author and professor who has a one-of-a-kind character. He lives in the San Juan Islands at an amazing place that is well suited to the imagination of awell known author. If you see someone up there who looks like Colonel Custer than that is probably Leonard Sweet. His book is entitled, 11: Indispensible Relationships You Can’t Be Without. Mark Batterson said of this book, “This book will not only help you cross the finish line strong, it will also help you bring others with you.” The book looks at Biblicalrelationships that are needed to help a person to be healthy in their faith and it has inspired my series to look at healthy Christianity by looking at the friendships that Jesus chose. I can’t wait to dive into this series with you. I believe we will be a much stronger church because of it. Here is an outline of Dr. Sweet’s book (which will be different from my sermon series), but you can get the excitement of the study of scripture by his summary statements.

Who’s Your Nathan?: You Need an Editor
Who’s Your Jonathan?: You need a True Friend
Who’s Your Jethro?: You Need a Butt-Kicker
Who’s Your Timothy?: You Need a Protégé
Who’s Your Barnabas?: You Need an Encourager
Who’s Your Peter/Paul?: You Need a Yoda
Who’s Your Deborah?: You Need a Back-Coverer
Who’s Your Zacchaeus?: You Need a Reject
Who’s Your Rhoda?: You Need a “Little One”
Who Are Your VIPs?: You Need a Lydia and Lazarus, Rich and Poor
Where’s Your Jerusalem?: You Need a Place
The Invisible 12th: You Need the Paraclete

I think you can see how this would cause sparks in a fresh study of the friendships of Christ! If we improve in this area not only will we experience a greater sense of peace and wholeness in our lives, but we will put down roots that our families and friends with enjoy also. Read the book if you like, it will be different from the series, but together – let’s get ready for a great ride the next few weeks!

You need others to get where you are going and the ride is a lot more fun when you are not alone. . .

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White