This document discusses Jesus' inner circle of friends which included Peter, James, and John. It notes instances from the Bible where Jesus took just these three with him, such as the transfiguration and praying in the garden of Gethsemane, indicating a special closeness. The document encourages examining one's own circle of friends and where they fit - from acquaintances to close friends. It uses diagrams to illustrate moving from outer circles to inner circles in relationships with friends, one's church, and with Jesus.

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”?