(John 15:12-15 )

Imagine flying 6,000-feet in an aircraft over the Florida Everglades when all of a sudden the plane runs out of fuel.  There’s nothing below you but marshland full of hungry gators and venomous snakes.  Now imagine being 16-feet under water in the Ichetucknee River and entangled in weeds.  No one knows you’re down there and you’re all alone. You cry for help but no one can hear you—except Jesus!

These are Pastor Dix’s testimonies.  He walked away from the first incident and swam away from the second.  In both cases Pastor George clearly remembers calling on the name of Jesus and was immediately delivered from near death experiences!  Sounds like we all need a friend like Jesus, who will answer our most urgent calls!       

Unfortunately, we live in a time when people choose their friends based on what they do or do not have.  But a true friend is one who looks at the good, bad and the ugly and still loves you for who you are; as a matter of fact a true friend won’t even consider your "haves" and "have-nots."  This true friend is Jesus!  He doesn’t care if the glass is half full or if the glass is half empty, He just wants to pour His spirit into us (the glass)!  He’s there when our earthly friends can’t be contacted or when they’ve let us down… Just remember that we can always count on Jesus!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

Pastor Dix continued to encourage the hearts of worshippers as he reiterated Jesus’ promise to never leave us or forsake us, regardless of what we may or may not possess.  Pastor Dix said we all need a friend like Jesus who is just to rescue us from the quicksand in life. All of us need someone who will be there when the going gets rough and when the going gets tough.  We need a friend that we can call on who can respond with “I hear you.”  

In closing, Pastor Dix admonished the congregation to hook up with the only true friend who will sustain us when all else fails (doctor’s report, plane engines, divorce, bankruptcy and various addictions etc.).

Quote of the sermon:

“Know who your friend is, who Jesus is.” - Pastor George Dix Jr.

Scripture References:

Sunday, November 26th, 2006

• James 2:23 - Prayer & Scripture (Pastor Eugene Phillips)
• John 15:12-15- "...Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends... "
• Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."