Building Meaningful Friendships in Christ's Freedom
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by greeting the congregation and those joining us online, highlighting the slower pace of church activities post-Easter and the upcoming Parents Night Out event. I then led the congregation in a call to worship, expressing gratitude for their generosity, as evidenced by the recent community service events where we provided meals and collected food for those in need.
I transitioned into a time of prayer, thanking God for the congregation's heart for service and praying for those who receive our help to feel loved by both the community and God. I invited the children to their respective classes and reflected on the significance of Easter, emphasizing that the season of Easter continues beyond just one day.
The focus of my sermon was on living into the freedom Christ gives us, particularly through the lens of friendship and boundaries. I introduced the book of Proverbs as our guide for this series, acknowledging that while it's often overlooked due to its poetic nature, it contains profound wisdom on living wisely.
I read from Proverbs 13, contrasting the characteristics of the wise and the foolish, and honed in on verse 20, which speaks to the influence of our friendships. I defined friendship as an attachment-based relationship that is non-romantic and not utilitarian. I stressed the importance of surrounding ourselves with good friends who make us better and help us succeed in various aspects of life.
I used Jesus' relationships as a model to illustrate different types of friendships: the crowd, the tribe, the circle, and the A-team. The crowd represents the large number of acquaintances we have, the tribe consists of closer friends who celebrate life's moments with us, the circle includes those we lean on during tough times, and the A-team comprises those few individuals who know us intimately and help us grow spiritually.
I encouraged the congregation to evaluate their relationships and consider whether the people closest to them are helping them become who God wants them to be. I emphasized the need for friends who share our spiritual, financial, and health priorities, and I shared my personal appreciation for those in my life who hold me accountable and encourage my growth in Christ.
As we prepared to come to the Lord's table, I led the congregation in a confession, reminding them of Jesus' example of community and the importance of being surrounded by the right people. I administered communion, inviting everyone to partake and reflect on their relationships with God and others.
I concluded the sermon by blessing the congregation, urging them to seek authentic friendships rooted in our identity in Christ, and to be people who contribute positively to the lives of others.
Key Takeaways:
1. True friendship is not about what we can get from others but about enjoying each other's company for who they are. In the church, we have the opportunity to form friendships that not only enrich our lives but also align with our spiritual journey, leading to mutual growth and support. [31:59]
2. The wisdom of Proverbs teaches us that the company we keep has a profound impact on our lives. Walking with the wise leads to wisdom, while associating with fools brings trouble. It's crucial to choose our friends wisely, as they can either propel us towards success or pull us into hardship. [29:02]
3. Jesus' model of friendship, from the crowd to the A-team, demonstrates the varying levels of intimacy and influence in our relationships. It's essential to have a few close friends who can walk with us through every season of life, offering support, accountability, and truth. [39:04]
4. Our closest friends should be those who prioritize building us up in our faith and character. They are the ones who speak truth into our lives and encourage us to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ. It's important to evaluate our friendships and ensure that our inner circle reflects our values and spiritual goals. [41:28]
5. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the importance of community and the example Jesus set for us. We are called to reconcile with God and align our relationships with His will, ensuring that we are surrounded by people who lead us closer to Him. [47:43]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Proverbs 13:13-20
- Mark 3:7-9
- Matthew 26:36-38
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 13:20, what are the consequences of walking with the wise versus associating with fools?
2. In the sermon, what are the four types of friendships modeled by Jesus? ([33:30])
3. How did Jesus handle the large crowds that followed Him, according to Mark 3:7-9? ([34:50])
4. What significant event did Jesus share with His closest friends in Matthew 26:36-38? ([39:04])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor emphasize the importance of having friends who share our spiritual, financial, and health priorities? ([41:28])
2. How does the wisdom in Proverbs 13:20 relate to the different levels of friendship described in the sermon? ([29:02])
3. What can we learn from Jesus' example of having an "A-team" of close friends, and how does this apply to our own lives? ([39:04])
4. How does the concept of boundaries in friendships, as discussed in the sermon, help us grow spiritually? ([26:18])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current friendships. Are there any that you feel need to be re-evaluated based on the priorities discussed in the sermon? How can you approach this evaluation? ([41:28])
2. Think about your "A-team" of close friends. Do they help you grow spiritually and support you in your faith journey? If not, what changes might you need to make? ([39:04])
3. How can you ensure that your friendships are based on mutual enjoyment and support rather than utility? What steps can you take to cultivate such relationships? ([31:59])
4. Jesus had different levels of friendships, from the crowd to the A-team. Identify one person in each category in your life and consider how you can nurture these relationships in a way that aligns with your spiritual goals. ([33:30])
5. During the sermon, the pastor mentioned the importance of having friends who speak truth into our lives. Can you think of a time when a friend did this for you? How did it impact you, and how can you be that kind of friend to others? ([42:25])
6. The pastor encouraged the congregation to reflect on their relationships during communion. As you partake in communion, what specific relationships come to mind that need reconciliation or deeper connection? ([45:47])
7. How can you actively seek out and build friendships within the church community that will help you grow in your faith and character? What practical steps can you take this week to start this process? ([44:08])
Devotional
Day 1: The Essence of True Friendship
Friendship is a gift that transcends mere convenience or personal gain. It is about forming bonds that are rooted in genuine affection and mutual respect, not in what one can extract from the relationship. In a faith community, these friendships take on an added dimension, as they are also about walking together on a spiritual journey. Such relationships are characterized by a shared commitment to each other's growth and well-being, both emotionally and spiritually. They are the kind of friendships that reflect the love and selflessness taught in the scriptures, where each person values the other for who they are, not just for what they do.
In this context, the church becomes a fertile ground for cultivating friendships that are not only personally enriching but also spiritually edifying. These are the relationships that encourage one to live out their faith authentically and to support one another in doing the same. They are friendships that endure through seasons of joy and hardship, offering a glimpse of the divine love that binds all believers together. [31:59]
"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" - 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life embodies the essence of true friendship, and how can you nurture that relationship further to support each other's spiritual journey?
Day 2: The Impact of Our Companions
The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the book of Proverbs, offers profound insights into the nature of human relationships and their influence on one's life. It teaches that the company one keeps can significantly shape one's character and destiny. Associating with wise individuals can lead to the acquisition of wisdom and a life marked by success and fulfillment. Conversely, surrounding oneself with foolish companions can result in hardship and strife. This principle underscores the importance of being discerning about the people one allows into their inner circle, recognizing that these relationships will have a lasting impact on one's life trajectory.
It is crucial, then, to choose friends who embody the values and virtues one aspires to. These are the friends who will challenge one to grow, who will provide wise counsel, and who will encourage one to pursue the best version of themselves. They are the companions who will not lead one into temptation or trouble but will instead be sources of strength and wisdom. [29:02]
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." - Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current friendships. Are there changes you need to make to ensure you are walking with the wise?
Day 3: Jesus' Model of Friendship
Jesus' life provides a perfect template for understanding the various layers of friendship and the importance of having close companions. He interacted with many people on different levels: the crowd, the tribe, the circle, and the A-team. Each group played a specific role in His ministry and personal life. The crowd was the largest group, consisting of acquaintances and followers. The tribe included those who were closer, sharing in life's significant moments. The circle was made up of those who were trusted confidants during challenging times. The A-team, however, was the innermost group—those few who knew Him intimately and supported His spiritual mission.
This model demonstrates the necessity of having a few close friends who can offer support, accountability, and truth. These are the friends who are present in every season, who see beyond the surface, and who help one to navigate life's complexities with wisdom and grace. They are the ones who can speak into one's life with honesty and love, helping to shape one's character and faith. [39:04]
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
Reflection: Consider your own circles of friendship. Do you have an A-team? If not, what steps can you take to form this kind of deep, spiritual friendship?
Day 4: Friends Who Build Us Up
The truest friends are those who prioritize our spiritual and personal development. They are the ones who encourage us to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ and who are not afraid to speak the truth in love. These friends are invaluable, as they help us to see ourselves as we truly are and as we could be. They hold us accountable to our values and spiritual goals, and they inspire us to live lives that are pleasing to God. It is essential to regularly evaluate our friendships to ensure that our closest companions are those who are helping us to become the people God intends us to be.
Such friends are a rare treasure, and their role in our lives cannot be overstated. They are the ones who remind us of our identity in Christ and who walk alongside us as we strive to embody that identity in our daily lives. They are the friends who challenge us to grow and who celebrate with us when we do. [41:28]
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." - Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)
Reflection: How do your closest friends influence your faith and character? Are there conversations you need to have to ensure your friendships are building you up in Christ?
Day 5: Communion and Community
The act of communion is a profound reminder of the importance of community and the example set by Jesus. As believers partake of the bread and wine, they are called to remember Christ's sacrifice and the unity it brings among the body of believers. This sacred practice is an opportunity to reflect on one's relationships with God and others, to reconcile where there is division, and to align one's life with God's will. It is a time to consider whether the people one is surrounded by are leading them closer to God or pulling them away.
Communion is not just about individual reflection; it is about coming together as a community to support and encourage one another in faith. It is about being surrounded by people who share the same commitment to following Christ and who help each other to live out that commitment in the world. [47:43]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Reflection: As you partake in communion, consider the role of community in your spiritual life. Are there steps you can take to strengthen your relationships within the body of Christ?
Quotes
1) "Walk with the wise and become wise, associate with fools, and get in trouble. Okay? Okay. is the proverb that tells us about friendship, the importance of friendship. And for the sake of today, I want to define friendship as this. See, friendship is a non-romantic relationship that is an attachment based rather than function. Meaning, a friend is someone you just enjoy having fun with, not someone you get something from. Friends are people we want to be around just for their own sake." [31:59]
2) "You have a better family life, a better marriage, a better work life, better health, and better spiritual growth. They say that your friends are the most important relationship in your life. More important than your family because your family succeeds when you have good friendships. Because if your friends are speaking negative about your family or about your spouse, then your spouse and you are probably not going to succeed." [33:30]
3) "The crowd was there at Palm Sunday screaming, Hosanna! And the crowd was there when he went before Pilate and hollered, Crucify him. The crowd was not his support. They just watched. So that brings us to a smaller group, which we're going to call the tribe. You see, the tribe is the people who tend to know what's going on in your life. They celebrate things with you." [35:27]
4) "We need friends that are seeking spiritual growth in the same way we are, that are seeking financial priority in the same way we are, seeking health in the same way we are. If we're surrounded by people who don't have things like that as the same priority, they're not going to help us get there. That doesn't mean they're not friends. It just means they may need to shift from the A-team maybe to the circle so that their influence is slightly different in our life." [41:28]
5) "I cherish them so much. But they believe, they believe in Christ the way that I do. And they seek Christ in the way that I do. And they seek discipleship and growth in the way that I do. And when one of them comes and tells me that I need to change something in my life, I hear it in a way I don't hear from anyone else. That's my deep desire for all of you." [43:17]
6) "Have mercy on us, forgive us, enter into our lives and cast out our fear so that we, may come to trust in you and have life in Jesus' name. Take a moment, lift any requests or confessions in your heart you want to lift to God. As Jesus sat with his tribe before his arrest, he took the bread and he broke it." [47:43]
7) "Almighty God, send us from this place as people seeking to build authentic friendships, people who only want to make other people's lives deeper and more connected, not those who are just trying to receive things from others. Help us to do so through our identity rooted in you and people who are renewed by you, deepened by you, and fed by you." [01:00:18]
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