INTRO: Three weeks ago we started a theme for the month of October. We recognized our fantastic seniors that are part of our fellowship and affirmed the strength of time proven service of the Lord along the "Old Ways." We looked at why they are so special to us, both individually and corporately as a church or body of believers. I thank God for our "Old Timers." They truly are good timers not just old timers!

Two weeks ago was "Old Hat Day." I never want our worship of the Lord to be "old hat." I never want our service for Him to be "old hat." I never want our love for each other to be "old hat." I never want New Beginnings to be just "old hat." Our love for the Lord, His House, His People should always be special in our eyes. Last week, I used for a thought, "Hats Off At New Beginnings." My hat continues to be off to all that are a part of our great fellowship of believers.

Last week was "Old Fashioned Day," and I preached a message called, "Old Fashioned, True Blue, Honest To God, Without A Doubt… Believers." We truly need old-fashioned closeness to God through His Son Jesus.

Today is Old Friends' Day. Today I want to look at just how precious our long time friendships are at New Beginnings. Truly they are worth more than silver or gold. Remember our slogan or goal is for people to know that New Beginnings is a church where friendships can grow.

John 15:9-17 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ¹²This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another.

The Lord truly means for friendships to be special in life. Not only our close productive friendship with him, but our relationships in this life too.

Also today, I want us to consider two other things…Things that can suppress friendships and Things that help safeguard friendships.

Gen. 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Psalms 36:2 ² For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

Gal 5:26 ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

James 4:11 ¹¹Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Matt. 15:7-8 ⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, ⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me

Let us not forget a very important part…

1 Thes 3:12 ¹²And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Phil 1:3-4 ³I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Phil 1:5⁵For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Matt 7:5 ⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Eph. 4:32 ³²And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Rom. 12:10 ¹⁰Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Pro. 27:5,6,9,10,17 ⁵Open rebuke is better than secret love.