We know many people. Some are friends. One or two might be very close friends.

1. THE INNER CIRCLE

2. Matthew 10:2-4

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are
these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and
Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother; 3 Philip and
Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax
collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and
Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4
Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who
also betrayed Him.

3. Introduction

In our lifetime we have many different
relationships

Some are close, personal, intimate

Others are very distant, casual, brief

Today we examine the relationships of Jesus
and our own.

4. Jesus' Circle of Friends

Multitudes – Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew with
His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude
from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea

Disciples – Mark 3:9 So He told His disciples
that a small boat should be kept ready for Him
because of the multitude, lest they should crush
Him.

Apostles – Matthew 10:2a Now the names of
the twelve apostles are these:

5. Jesus' Circle of Friends

Inner Circle – Peter, James, John –

Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1 Now after six
days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his
brother, led them up on a high mountain by
themselves

Private teaching – Mark 13:3 Now as He sat
on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple,
Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him
privately,

6. Jesus' Circle of Friends

Inner Circle – Peter, James, John –

Mountain to pray – Luke 9:28 Now it came to
pass, about eight days after these sayings, that
He took Peter, John, and James and went up
on the mountain to pray.

Garden to pray – Matthew 26:37 And He took
with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
and He began to be sorrowful and deeply
distressed.

7. Jesus' Circle of Friends

Inner Circle – Peter, James, John –

Witness to miracle – Mark 5:37 And He
permitted no one to follow Him except Peter,
James, and John the brother of James.

There was a special closeness with these 3

Peter – keys of kingdom, first gospel sermon

James – first to die for the cause of Christ

John – entrusted his mother, last apostle to
die

8. Our Circle of Friends

Start on the outside – work our way in

Acquaintances – recognize the name, heard
of them, know something about them

Associates – work, social contact, share some
common interest or sport

On a college final exam – Whatis the name
of the lady that mops the floors in this
building?

Know – but don't really know them

9. Our Circle of Friends

Contacts – Learn their name and something
about them to do business, make a sale, close
the contract

I know Brad in tech support at HP computers

I know the preachers at some nearby
congregations

Friends – Been to their house, ate with them at
a pot-luck, attend church together, enjoy the
same sport, belong to the same club

10. Our Circle of Friends

Close friends – 3 or 4 in a lifetime – got your
back, depend on in time of crisis, trust, share
intimate feelings,

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must
himself be friendly, But there is a friend who
sticks closer than a brother.

Relatives – family, blood kin, cousins, aunt and
uncle, grandparents

Immediate family – Parents, siblings

11. Where are your friends?

Take a sheet of paper

Draw circles

Initial where your
friends are:

With Friends – close,
know by face, know
by name

If you had a serious
problem who would
you call?

12. Where are you in this church?

Take a sheet of paper

Draw circles

Initial where you are:

In this church –
involved, attend,
active, support, on the
fringe

Do fit in this church
like a hand in a glove
or square peg in a
round hole?

13. Where are you with Jesus?

Take a sheet of paper

Draw circles

Initial where you are:

With Jesus – Are you
in Christ or on the
outside looking in?

Are you in the Inner
circle / Outer limits?

14. Where are you with Jesus?

When it comes to
your relationship with
Jesus, where are
you?

Have you been
baptized “into
Christ”?

Have you remained
“faithful unto death”?