Created for Community: The Power of Biblical Friendship

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I explored the profound truth that we, as followers of Jesus, are created for community. This truth is woven throughout Scripture, from the Trinitarian nature of God to the creation account where God declares that it is not good for man to be alone. We delved into Colossians 4:7-17, where Paul, even in the face of execution, demonstrates the importance of authentic community through his relationships with fellow believers.

I emphasized that our relationship with God is the foundation for our relationships with others. As we are made in God's image, we are inherently relational beings, designed to live in community. This is not a superficial community based on shared interests or activities, but a deep, gospel-centered fellowship that is vital for our spiritual growth and well-being.

In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he mentions ten friends who exemplify four characteristics of biblical friendship: encouragement, comfort, prayer, and hard work. These friends, including Tychicus and Onesimus, were instrumental in Paul's ministry, providing support and encouragement despite their diverse backgrounds. They were united by their faith in Christ, which is the cornerstone of true friendship.

I also addressed the misconception that God will not give us more than we can handle. Scripture tells us that we will face burdens too heavy to bear alone, driving us to depend on God and the community He has provided. Bearing one another's burdens is how we fulfill the law of Christ.

Furthermore, I challenged the notion that attending corporate worship is sufficient for community. While it is a starting point, we must pursue deeper relationships where we are known and can grow together in Christ. This requires intentionality and vulnerability, stepping out in faith to invite others into our lives.

As we concluded, I invited the congregation to consider how they might step out in faith to pursue the community for which God has created us. I encouraged everyone to seek out a small group of believers with whom they can share life, pray, and encourage one another in their walk with Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Biblical friendship is rooted in our Trinitarian God who exists in perfect community. As His image-bearers, we are designed for deep, transformative relationships that reflect the unity and love within the Godhead. Our pursuit of community is a reflection of our pursuit of God Himself. [41:45]

- Authentic community is not found in the superficial connections of the world but in the shared pursuit of Christ within the local church. It is in this context that we experience the 'one anothers' of Scripture, bearing burdens and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. [55:02]

- The power of presence in biblical friendship cannot be overstated. Like Aristarchus, Mark, and Justice, our mere presence can provide immense comfort and encouragement to others, even without words. Being physically present in times of need is a profound ministry in itself. [01:09:12]

- Prayer is the lifeline of biblical friendship. As Epaphras demonstrated, praying for one another is a way to struggle alongside our friends, bringing their needs before God with fervency and specificity. We need friends who will intercede for us and friends for whom we can intercede. [01:10:24]

- Biblical friendship requires hard work and is not without its challenges. Like Paul's relationship with Demas, we will encounter disappointments and setbacks. Yet, we are called to persevere, working hard to maintain these relationships, knowing that they are part of our sanctification process. [01:17:09]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 4:7-17
- Genesis 1:26-27
- Galatians 6:1-2

#### Observation Questions
1. In Colossians 4:7-17, Paul mentions ten friends. What are the four characteristics of biblical friendship that these friends exemplify? ([49:38])
2. According to Genesis 1:26-27, what does the creation account reveal about the nature of God and our design for community?
3. How does Galatians 6:1-2 describe the way believers should interact with one another, especially in times of burden? ([43:42])
4. What role did Tychicus and Onesimus play in Paul's ministry, and how did they encourage the Colossian church? ([56:12])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Paul emphasizes the Trinitarian nature of God when discussing our need for community? ([41:45])
2. How does the misconception that "God will not give us more than we can handle" contradict the message of Galatians 6:2? ([44:20])
3. What does Paul's relationship with his friends, even in the face of execution, teach us about the importance of community in our spiritual lives? ([48:27])
4. How can the presence of friends like Aristarchus, Mark, and Justice provide comfort and encouragement, even without words? ([01:09:12])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Do you have friends who encourage, comfort, pray for, and work hard alongside you in your walk with Christ? If not, what steps can you take to build such relationships? ([01:20:04])
2. How can you be more intentional and vulnerable in your relationships within the church to foster authentic community? ([55:02])
3. Think of a time when you faced a burden too heavy to bear alone. How did the community around you help, or how could they have helped better? ([44:57])
4. In what ways can you be physically present for someone in need this week, providing comfort and encouragement through your presence? ([01:09:12])
5. Identify a friend or a group of friends for whom you can commit to praying regularly. How can you make this a consistent practice in your life? ([01:10:24])
6. Consider the hard work required to maintain biblical friendships. What are some practical ways you can invest time and effort into these relationships, even when it is challenging? ([01:14:00])
7. How can you step out in faith to invite others into your life, recognizing that corporate worship alone is not sufficient for true community? ([55:02])

Devotional

Day 1: Designed for Transformative Relationships
We are not solitary creatures but are fashioned in the image of a relational God, a God who exists in the perfect community of the Trinity. This divine blueprint is evident in our own longing for meaningful connections with others. As image-bearers of a relational God, we are called to cultivate deep, transformative relationships that mirror the unity and love found within the Godhead. These relationships are not just a nice addition to our lives but are essential to our spiritual formation and well-being. They are the context in which we grow, are challenged, and find encouragement on our journey of faith. The pursuit of such community is, in essence, the pursuit of God Himself, as we learn to love and be loved in the context of gospel-centered fellowship [41:45].

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)

Reflection: Who are the people in your life that help you grow in your faith? How can you deepen those relationships this week?

Day 2: The Substance of Christian Community
The world offers many forms of community, but the authentic community we crave is found in the shared pursuit of Christ within the local church. It is here, among fellow believers, that we live out the 'one anothers' of Scripture—bearing burdens, offering encouragement, and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. This kind of fellowship is not superficial but is characterized by a mutual commitment to each other's spiritual growth and to walking through life's challenges together. It is in the context of such relationships that we find the strength to face life's burdens and the joy of celebrating its victories, all while being anchored in the truth of the gospel [55:02].

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in bearing someone else's burden this week? Is there a specific action you can take to support a friend in need?

Day 3: The Ministry of Presence
The simple act of being present can have a profound impact on the lives of others. In the Bible, we see examples of friends who provided comfort and encouragement through their mere presence. This ministry of presence is a powerful expression of love and support, often speaking louder than words. It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that the physical presence of a friend can be a source of immense comfort and strength. In a world where digital communication often replaces face-to-face interaction, the intentional choice to be physically present with someone in their time of need is a countercultural and deeply meaningful act of service [01:09:12].

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15 (ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your community who could use the ministry of your presence this week? How can you make time to be with them, even if it's just to sit and listen?

Day 4: Interceding with Intentionality
Prayer is the lifeline that sustains our friendships and our community. It is through prayer that we struggle alongside our friends, bringing their needs before God with fervency and specificity. Having friends who intercede for us and being a friend who intercedes for others is a vital part of Christian fellowship. It is in these moments of prayerful support that we truly carry each other's burdens and share in each other's battles. The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective, and when we commit to praying for one another, we are participating in one of the most profound acts of love and friendship [01:10:24].

"Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16 (ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs your prayers right now? How can you commit to praying for them with intentionality and specificity this week?

Day 5: Perseverance in Friendship
Biblical friendship is not without its challenges; it requires hard work, commitment, and the willingness to persevere through disappointments and setbacks. Like any meaningful relationship, it demands time, effort, and sometimes even sacrifice. These friendships are a part of our sanctification process, shaping us to be more like Christ as we learn to love others selflessly. Even when faced with difficulties, we are called to maintain these relationships, knowing that they are God-given means of grace in our lives. The hard work invested in these friendships yields the fruit of a deeper, more authentic community that stands the test of time [01:17:09].

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a friendship that may be challenging right now. What is one step you can take this week to work towards reconciliation or to strengthen that relationship?

Quotes

1) "Our following of Jesus is desperately linked to our inviting others in. We have got to have people in our lives who constantly remind us this is not it, people who constantly remind us we're not there yet, constantly come alongside us and say we're not home yet, keep going friend." [46:11]( | | )

2) "Biblical friendship works hard for one another. It is awkward to reach out to someone and invite them to the table of your life and say, 'Hey, here's what's going on in my life, here's what I'm struggling with, here's how I desperately need you to lock arms with me and just take this to the father.'" [01:14:00]( | | )

3) "Biblical friendships encourage one another. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister, was sent to encourage the hearts of the Colossians. Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, joined him. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they were united in their mission to provide support and encouragement." [56:12]( | | )

4) "Biblical friendships comfort one another. Aristarchus, Mark, and Justice, by just being physically present, provided immense comfort to Paul. Their consistent presence in his life, even without words, had a medicinal impact, helping navigate the pains and brokenness of this world." [01:02:45]( | | )

5) "Biblical friendships pray for one another. Epaphras, known for always struggling on behalf of his friends in his prayers, exemplified this. His fervent, specific prayers aimed for the Colossians to stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God, showing the depth of his care and connection." [01:10:24]( | | )

6) "Biblical friendship is not without its challenges. Like Paul's relationship with Demas, we will encounter disappointments. Yet, we are called to persevere, working hard to maintain these relationships, knowing that they are part of our sanctification process." [01:17:09]( | | )

7) "Authentic community is not found in the superficial connections of the world but in the shared pursuit of Christ within the local church. It is in this context that we experience the 'one anothers' of Scripture, bearing burdens and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds." [55:02]( | | )

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Transcript
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