You've Got A Friend In Me - Rev. Ayanni D. Peters

Main message: Jesus’ healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1–12) shows what faithful friendship looks like: true friends get you to Jesus, lead you to repentance, carry you without abandoning you, and celebrate your restoration — and we must both find and become those friends.

Key points:

• Proximity doesn’t guarantee loyalty — some “friends” wound (illustrated by contemporary tragic examples and Judas’ betrayal).
• Ask not only whether you have good friends but whether you are a good friend; faithful friends do what it takes to help.
• A faithful friend leads you to the Redeemer: they make room for you and get you into Jesus’ presence.
• A faithful friend leads you to repentance: they care for your soul, not just your outward needs.
• A faithful friend brings restoration: they carry you until you can carry yourself and then celebrate your recovery rather than resent it.

Scriptures mentioned: Mark 2:1–12, Mark 1:28, Genesis 2:18, John 15, 1 Corinthians 15:33