5 You Gotta's for Godly Friendships | Shawn Johnson | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

5 You Gotta's for Godly Friendships

Red Rocks Church • Jun 18, 2025 • 51 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this Father's Day message, Pastors Shawn Johnson and Jimmy Rollins address the widespread isolation and friendship recession affecting so many today. God did not create believers to walk through life alone, but to pursue His plans together in godly community. Through five practical action steps, we learn how to cultivate life-giving, biblical friendships that sharpen our faith and show up in times of hardship.

Themes

Biblical FriendshipCommunity & AccountabilityIsolation vs. ConnectionVulnerability and HonestyGenerational Faith & Loyalty

Pastor's Points

1.

1. You gotta take the initiative.

2.

2. You gotta be real.

3.

3. You gotta share wins and losses.

4.

4. You gotta fight for the relationship.

5.

5. You gotta show up.

Key Points

1.
1. You gotta take the initiative.
2.
2. You gotta be real.
3.
3. You gotta share wins and losses.
4.
4. You gotta fight for the relationship.
5.
5. You gotta show up.
6.
Isolation is one of the enemy's primary tactics, while God created believers to pursue His plans in community with others.
7.
Choosing godly friends carefully requires taking action to explore, seek, and select relationships that prevent being led astray.
8.
True accountability happens when believers stop hiding secrets and confess their struggles to trusted brothers and sisters in Christ.
9.
Genuine friends celebrate each other's successes without jealousy and walk together through moments of deep grief and pain.

Sermon Moments

“I'm here with you is different than I'm here for you. I'm here with you says I'll be on your front doorstep whether you invited me or not because I know your struggle.”

“We were created to pursue the plans of God with the people of God.”

“The Hebrew word for choose in Proverbs 12:26 means to explore, seek, and select.”

“You're only as accountable to somebody as the amount of secrets you're willing to stop hiding.”

“A true friend walks in when everyone else walks out.”

“I want you to have people in your life that will rip roofs off houses to push you closer to God.”

“Kids catch a lot more than what you teach them; they catch how real friends show up for each other in times of crisis.”

This Week

Take the initiative this week by reaching out to someone in your church or group to invite them for coffee or a meal.

Practice vulnerability with a trusted Christian friend by sharing a real struggle or asking for prayer and accountability.

Intentionally celebrate a friend's victory or blessing without comparing your situation or allowing room for envy.

Reach out to a friend going through a difficult season and offer comfort, presence, and prayer.

Work through any awkwardness or tension in a friendship by having an honest, grace-filled conversation instead of stepping away.

Look for opportunities to 'rip roofs off' by actively helping lead a struggling friend closer to Jesus.

Set an example of loyal, biblical friendship for your children so the legacy of godly community passes down to the next generation.

Remember This

We were created to pursue the plans of God with the people of God, which requires taking initiative, being real, sharing life's wins and losses, fighting through tension, and showing up when it matters most.

A Challenge for You

Be bold to put yourself in positions to take initiative, be real, show up for people, and fight for godly relationships so that God can bring friends who pull you closer to Jesus.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.