Embracing Christ-Centered Friendships for Kingdom Purpose
Summary
In Colossians 3:1-17, we are reminded of our identity in Christ and the call to set our hearts and minds on things above. This passage challenges us to put to death our earthly nature and embrace the new self, which is being renewed in the image of our Creator. As God's chosen people, we are called to clothe ourselves with virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and to forgive as the Lord forgave us. Above all, we are to put on love, which binds all virtues together in perfect unity.
Building a healthy community among God's people is essential, and it starts with cultivating healthy friendships. In today's world, where loneliness is prevalent, investing in friendships is crucial for our well-being. Research shows that strong social networks can significantly improve our health and longevity. As Christians, we understand that God values relationships, as seen throughout Scripture. From Genesis to the New Testament, God emphasizes the importance of community and fellowship.
Jesus provides a model for friendship that is both practical and profound. He demonstrates that friendships can have different depths and purposes. Jesus had a close circle of friends, including John, Peter, and James, and he also had a broader group of disciples. This model shows us that it's okay to have a best friend or a small group of close friends, but we should also be open to diverse and inclusive relationships.
Our friendships should reflect the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They should be characterized by love, service, and a willingness to forgive. Jesus' love for his disciples, even those who betrayed him, challenges us to love others despite their flaws. When we are let down by friends, we must remember that Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, offering healing and strength.
Ultimately, our friendships should fulfill a kingdom purpose, even when we don't see it. Jesus' model of friendship is one that is submitted to God, diverse, and open to new people. When our friendships align with this model, they become a powerful testimony of God's love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. Set Your Heart on Things Above: Our identity in Christ calls us to focus on heavenly things, putting to death our earthly nature and embracing the new self. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to clothe ourselves with virtues like compassion and love, which bind us together in unity. [02:43]
2. The Importance of Friendship: In a world where loneliness is prevalent, investing in friendships is crucial for our well-being. Strong social networks can improve our health and longevity, and as Christians, we understand that God values relationships. Our friendships should reflect the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [07:19]
3. Jesus' Model of Friendship: Jesus demonstrates that friendships can have different depths and purposes. He had a close circle of friends and a broader group of disciples, showing us that it's okay to have a best friend or a small group of close friends, but we should also be open to diverse and inclusive relationships. [11:58]
4. Love and Forgiveness: Jesus' love for his disciples, even those who betrayed him, challenges us to love others despite their flaws. When we are let down by friends, we must remember that Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, offering healing and strength. [28:38]
5. Friendships with Kingdom Purpose: Our friendships should fulfill a kingdom purpose, even when we don't see it. Jesus' model of friendship is one that is submitted to God, diverse, and open to new people. When our friendships align with this model, they become a powerful testimony of God's love and grace. [41:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:43] - The Call to Set Our Hearts on Things Above
- [07:19] - The Importance of Friendship
- [09:57] - Navigating Complex Friendships
- [11:58] - Jesus' Model of Friendship
- [15:22] - The Inner Circle: John, Peter, and James
- [18:18] - Friendships with Kingdom Purpose
- [22:04] - Diversity and Openness in Friendships
- [25:13] - Supernatural Friendships
- [28:38] - Love and Forgiveness
- [32:30] - Disappointments in Friendships
- [35:29] - Transformation and Love
- [38:13] - Jesus, Our True Friend
- [41:44] - Offering and Healing in Friendships
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the specific virtues that Colossians 3:12-14 encourages believers to "clothe" themselves with? How do these virtues contribute to unity? [02:43]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the benefits of having strong social networks and friendships? [07:19]
3. How does Jesus' model of friendship, as described in the sermon, demonstrate different depths and purposes of relationships? [11:58]
4. What role does forgiveness play in maintaining healthy friendships, according to the sermon and Colossians 3:13? [28:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does setting our hearts on things above, as instructed in Colossians 3:1-2, influence our earthly relationships and friendships? [02:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' friendships were submitted to God, and how can this be applied to our own friendships? [11:58]
3. The sermon mentions that friendships should reflect the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What characteristics of this divine relationship should be evident in our friendships? [07:19]
4. How does the concept of love and forgiveness in friendships challenge our natural inclinations, and what does the sermon suggest is the bigger picture we should focus on? [28:38]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current friendships. Are there any relationships that you feel need to be submitted to God for guidance and direction? How might you go about doing this? [11:58]
2. Consider the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14. Which one do you find most challenging to embody in your friendships, and what steps can you take to improve in this area? [02:43]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of diverse and inclusive friendships. Are there people in your life who you might be overlooking as potential friends? How can you reach out to them this week? [22:04]
4. Think of a time when a friend let you down. How did you handle it, and how might you apply the principle of forgiveness discussed in the sermon to that situation? [28:38]
5. Jesus had a close circle of friends and a broader group of disciples. How can you balance having a few close friends while also being open to new and diverse relationships? [15:22]
6. The sermon suggests that friendships can fulfill a kingdom purpose even when we don't see it. How can you be intentional about seeking God's purpose in your friendships? [18:18]
7. Identify one friendship that feels like hard work right now. What practical steps can you take to offer love and support, even if it feels one-sided? [41:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Heavenly Identity
Our identity in Christ calls us to focus on heavenly things, putting to death our earthly nature and embracing the new self. This transformation is a continuous process, requiring us to clothe ourselves with virtues like compassion and love, which bind us together in unity. As we set our hearts on things above, we are reminded that our true identity is found in Christ, and this identity shapes our actions and attitudes. By focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal, we align ourselves with God's purposes and experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. [02:43]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What earthly desires or distractions are preventing you from fully embracing your identity in Christ? How can you intentionally focus on heavenly things today?
Day 2: Cultivate Meaningful Friendships
In a world where loneliness is prevalent, investing in friendships is crucial for our well-being. Strong social networks can improve our health and longevity, and as Christians, we understand that God values relationships. Our friendships should reflect the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, characterized by love, service, and a willingness to forgive. By building healthy friendships, we create a supportive community that encourages spiritual growth and reflects God's love to the world. [07:19]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "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!"
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to strengthen your friendship? How can you be a source of encouragement and support to them?
Day 3: Follow Jesus' Model of Friendship
Jesus demonstrates that friendships can have different depths and purposes. He had a close circle of friends and a broader group of disciples, showing us that it's okay to have a best friend or a small group of close friends, but we should also be open to diverse and inclusive relationships. By following Jesus' model, we learn to appreciate the unique roles that different friendships play in our lives and how they contribute to our spiritual journey. [11:58]
Proverbs 18:24 (ESV): "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Reflection: Reflect on the different friendships in your life. How can you be more intentional in nurturing these relationships and being open to new ones?
Day 4: Practice Love and Forgiveness
Jesus' love for his disciples, even those who betrayed him, challenges us to love others despite their flaws. When we are let down by friends, we must remember that Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, offering healing and strength. By practicing love and forgiveness, we reflect Christ's character and create an environment where relationships can thrive and grow. [28:38]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 5: Pursue Friendships with Kingdom Purpose
Our friendships should fulfill a kingdom purpose, even when we don't see it. Jesus' model of friendship is one that is submitted to God, diverse, and open to new people. When our friendships align with this model, they become a powerful testimony of God's love and grace. By pursuing friendships with a kingdom purpose, we participate in God's mission and contribute to the growth of His kingdom. [41:44]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: How can you align your friendships with God's kingdom purpose? What steps can you take to ensure your relationships reflect His love and grace?
Quotes
You used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived, but now you must also rid yourself of all such things as these, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge in the image of its creator. Wow. Here, there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [00:00:45] (52 seconds)
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Amen. [00:01:51] (25 seconds)
Research also tells us that good friends fire up our nervous system and trigger the release of endorphins, which tune our immune system, protecting us from disease. And this one is really interesting. Having supportive friendships in old age is a stronger predictor of well-being than having strong family connections. In short, friends can encourage good habits. [00:04:43] (32 seconds)
Throughout scripture, there is call after call for us to get involved in relationship, to be part of a community. God says we are our best when we're together, when we're in fellowship. We look most like Jesus when we're together. We achieve far more when we're together. And the Holy Spirit is present when we're together. [00:07:35] (33 seconds)
I think Jesus shows us that we can have a depth and diversity in friendship. He shows us what's practical and workable. And we all know Jesus. He knows the research before it's published. What Jesus shows us is consistent with what we know about our limitations as human beings. So the first thing we see in Jesus' friendship model is that his relationships are consistently characterized by great love. [00:10:33] (38 seconds)
Jesus was blessed by that one person, by John, who knew everything about Jesus, who had this extraordinary natural and supernatural revelation. And who felt comfortable enough to sit alongside his Lord, rest on him. That blessed Jesus. And I love that. I love the fact that Jesus says, you know what, it's okay. Have the one. Have the two. [00:14:30] (34 seconds)
Our friendships can have kingdom purpose, but they don't have to be hard work. We had our friends over for dinner this week. And these are the ones that Ian has known, the woman, since she, well, since they were both about three. So they've been friends for 150 years. And as a four, we've been friends for 30-something years. We love these people. And they love us, and they love Jesus. [00:17:55] (33 seconds)
There will be those times, you know, when we will invest in our friendships and it won't feel like we're getting very much back. You know? You know when your friends go through a really, really tough time and it's all about them. You know, they're grieving or there's financial worries. And every time you meet, you're praying and you're praying and you're praying and you're standing on the word and you're decreeing and declaring. And it feels for months that it's all about them. [00:20:21] (29 seconds)
One of the ways that we are friendships, I think, can fulfill God's purposes is by being so different that everybody else in the world looks at us and thinks, how does that work? And the answer is Jesus. It only works because of Jesus because of Jesus. Yeah. Can we do a series on churches? Different churches. [00:25:49] (32 seconds)
There's more to this than your opinions and your hurts and your disappointments and your failings. There's a requirement that you put on love. And it's not, it's not that someone else is going to do it for you. Don't think that someone's going to come up behind you and give you a cloak of love. Then they're not going to, you have to put it on yourself. [00:28:56] (29 seconds)
We do really need to think about who we're meant to be as a community. And while we're working through that, and while we're acknowledging that we're hurt, we really do need to keep putting on love because that's the only way we're going to get through some of these things. Thank you. We don't put on love at the end when it's all sorted out. We put on love in the process while we're trying to be reconciled. [00:37:53] (30 seconds)
It is one in which his friends fulfill a kingdom purpose, even when they don't know they're doing it. And when our friendships don't align with his model, there is always one true, faithful, great friend called Jesus, who we can rely on to help us heal and to refocus. on the bigger picture. Amen. Amen. [00:39:19] (35 seconds)
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