Gospel_Friendship-2.pdf

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of Presence—God With Us, Always

At the heart of every meaningful friendship is the promise of presence—not just being physically near, but truly being with one another in spirit and purpose. Yet, even the most faithful friends can only offer so much. Human presence is limited by time, energy, and circumstance. There are moments when even those closest to us cannot be there, and seasons when loneliness feels overwhelming despite our best efforts to connect.

But God’s presence is different. He promises to be with us always, never leaving or forsaking us. His presence is constant, unconditional, and sustaining. When we root our friendships in the assurance that God is always with us, we are freed from demanding from others what only He can give. This allows us to be present for others without fear or disappointment, knowing that our deepest need for companionship is met in Him.

“And the Lord said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.’” (Acts 18:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: When you feel alone or overlooked, how might you intentionally remind yourself of God’s constant presence with you today? Is there a way you can offer your presence to someone else as a reflection of His love?

Day 2: Shared Purpose—Friendship Anchored in Christ’s Mission

Gospel friendships are unique because they are built on a shared purpose: knowing Christ and making Him known. Not all relationships have this foundation, and that’s what sets faith friendships apart. In these relationships, there is a depth and safety that allows for honesty about struggles, doubts, and hopes. The unity is not based on perfection or similarity, but on a mutual need for grace and a common calling.

When friends walk together in Christ’s mission, they encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and celebrate God’s work in and through their lives. This shared purpose transforms ordinary companionship into a partnership for the kingdom. It is in these friendships that we find courage to be vulnerable and strength to persevere, knowing we are not alone in our journey of faith.

“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.” (1 Corinthians 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life shares your desire to know and serve Christ? How can you intentionally deepen your friendship with them by pursuing God’s purpose together this week?

Day 3: Releasing Unrealistic Expectations—Letting God Be God

It is easy to expect from friends, spouses, or family what only God can provide—perfect understanding, constant presence, or unfailing support. When we place these expectations on others, we set ourselves up for disappointment and them for failure. No human relationship can bear the weight of God’s role in our lives.

Recognizing the limits of human relationships frees us to appreciate our friends for who they are, not who we wish they could be. It also invites us to lean into God as our ultimate source of companionship and strength. When we release others from the burden of being our everything, we can love them more freely and receive their love with gratitude, not demand.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life you’ve been expecting too much from? How can you release them from unrealistic expectations and turn to God for what only He can provide?

Day 4: Seeing the Unseen Community—You Are Not Alone

In moments of isolation or discouragement, it can feel like we are the only ones striving to be faithful. But God often reminds His people that He has many others we cannot see. Even when we feel alone, we are part of a larger story and a greater family than we realize. God is always at work, building a community around us, sometimes in ways that are hidden from our view.

We are invited to pray for eyes to see the people God has placed in our lives and to trust that we are not alone. This awareness can bring comfort and courage, especially in seasons of loneliness or spiritual struggle. God’s people are plural, and He calls us to lean into the community He is forming, both for our sake and for the sake of others.

“Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18, ESV)

Reflection: Who are some people around you that you may have overlooked as part of your spiritual community? How can you reach out to one of them this week to encourage or connect with them?

Day 5: Cultivating Potential—Moving Toward Others in Grace

Gospel friendship is not just about comfort or companionship; it is about seeing and cultivating the potential in others. When we encounter people who are zealous but lacking in understanding, or who are struggling in their faith, the easy path is to critique or distance ourselves. But the way of Jesus is to move toward others, to disciple and encourage, seeing the possibility for growth and transformation.

This kind of friendship mirrors the way Jesus pursues us—not pulling away from our flaws, but moving toward us in love, correction, and hope for what we can become in Him. As we extend this grace to others, we participate in God’s work of shaping lives and building His kingdom, one relationship at a time.

“Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures… He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:24, 26, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement or guidance in their faith? How can you move toward them this week, offering grace and hope for what God can do in their life?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

This morning’s sermon explored the theme of friendship, particularly as it is shaped and defined by the gospel. Using Acts 18 as a foundation, we considered what it means to have “faith friendships”—relationships rooted in the promise of presence, both human and divine. The sermon acknowledged the loneliness epidemic in our culture, despite our many tools for connection, and challenged the idea that practical solutions alone can address our deep need for true friendship. Instead, we looked to God’s Word for a definition and design for friendship, discovering that gospel friendships are marked by shared purpose, the assurance of God’s presence, the reality of community, and the willingness to see and cultivate potential in others. Ultimately, the sermon reminded us that while human friendships are valuable, only God can fulfill our deepest need for presence, and that we are called to extend the same grace and pursuit to others that Jesus has shown to us.

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Key Takeaways

1. Friendship Begins with the Promise of Presence At the heart of true friendship is the promise of presence—not just being physically near, but being truly with one another in spirit and purpose. Yet, even the best human presence is limited. Only God offers the kind of presence that is constant, unconditional, and sustaining. Our friendships are healthiest when they are rooted in the assurance that God is always with us, even when others cannot be.
2. Gospel Friendships Are Defined by Shared Purpose in Christ Not all partnerships are created equal; gospel friendships are unique because they are built on the shared purpose of knowing and making Christ known. This shared foundation allows for a depth and safety that other friendships cannot provide. In these relationships, we are free to be honest about our struggles and doubts, knowing that our unity is not in our perfection, but in our mutual need for grace.
3. No Human Relationship Can Bear the Weight of God’s Role It is easy to expect from friends, spouses, or family what only God can provide—perfect understanding, constant presence, or unfailing support. When we place these expectations on others, we set ourselves up for disappointment and them for failure. Recognizing the limits of human relationships frees us to appreciate our friends for who they are, while leaning into God as our ultimate source of companionship and strength.
4. God’s People Are Plural, Even When We Feel Alone In moments of isolation or discouragement, it can feel like we are the only ones striving to be faithful. Yet, God often reminds us—as He did Paul and Elijah—that He has many people we cannot see. We are invited to pray for eyes to see the community God is building around us, trusting that we are part of a larger story and a greater family than we often realize.
5. Gospel Friendship Sees and Cultivates Potential, Not Just Problems When we encounter others who are zealous but lacking in understanding, the easy path is to critique or distance ourselves. But gospel friendship calls us to move toward others, to disciple and encourage, seeing the potential for growth and transformation. This mirrors the way Jesus pursues us—not pulling away from our flaws, but moving toward us in love, correction, and hope for what we can become in Him.

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide: Gospel Friendships**

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### Bible Reading

**Acts 18:1-11, 24-28 (ESV)**
(You may want to read the whole chapter for context, but focus on these sections.)

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### Observation Questions

In Acts 18, what do we learn about the relationship between Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila? What activities or purposes did they share together?
When Paul faced opposition and discouragement in Corinth, what specific promise did God make to him in verses 9-10?
How did Priscilla and Aquila respond to Apollos when they noticed he was passionate but lacking in understanding?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between just being physically present with someone and offering the “promise of presence” in friendship?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that only God can offer a constant, unconditional presence, while human friendships are always limited? How does this change the way we view our expectations of friends?
The sermon describes gospel friendships as being built on a “shared purpose in Christ.” What does this look like practically, and how is it different from other types of friendships?
When God tells Paul, “I have many in this city who are my people,” what does this reveal about the way God builds community, even when we feel alone?
Priscilla and Aquila saw potential in Apollos and chose to disciple him rather than critique or distance themselves. What does this teach us about the role of encouragement and correction in gospel friendships?

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### Application Questions

The sermon mentioned a “loneliness epidemic” in our culture, even though we have more ways to connect than ever. When have you felt lonely, even when surrounded by people? What do you think was missing in those moments?
Are there ways you have expected too much from a friend, spouse, or family member—hoping they would meet needs that only God can truly fulfill? How can you shift your expectations to be healthier and more grace-filled?
Think about your closest friendships. Are they built on a shared purpose in Christ, or something else? What would it look like to intentionally bring Christ into the center of those relationships?
Have you ever felt like you were the only one trying to be faithful in your workplace, school, or family? How might God be inviting you to see the “plurality” of His people around you, even if you can’t see them yet?
Is there someone in your life who is zealous or passionate, but maybe lacking in understanding or maturity? Instead of critiquing or pulling away, what is one practical way you could move toward them in friendship and encouragement this week?
The sermon challenged us to extend the same grace and pursuit to others that Jesus has shown to us. Can you think of a time when someone did this for you? How did it impact you, and how might you do the same for someone else?
What is one step you can take this week to be more present—truly present—with a friend or someone in your community? What might get in the way, and how can you overcome it?

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**Close in prayer, asking God to help you build friendships rooted in His presence, purpose, and grace.**

Sermon Quotes

“We live in a culture with endless ways to connect—DMs, Snaps, Facetimes—yet we find ourselves in a loneliness epidemic. How can a society with so many opportunities for connection feel so isolated and desperate to be known?”

“Friendship is founded upon the promise of presence. At the root of friendship is this: the promise of presence. And the features we’ll see today are the outpourings that flow when friendship is grounded in that promise.”

“Are we expecting from people what only God can provide? In marriage, parenting, or friendship, it’s easy to place expectations on others that only God can fulfill. No human relationship can carry divine attributes. Only God can.”

“Gospel friendship offers a depth that nothing else can. Because we are saved by grace alone, we can also feel safe by grace—safe to be honest about our struggles, to share our burdens, and to admit doubts without fear of judgment.”

“The features of friendship may bring health, but they will not make every friendship whole, perfect, or fulfilled. They are not the plan of salvation. The one constant is the promise of God’s presence.”

“If you’re carrying loneliness, or if you’ve been let down by friends—maybe even let down in being a friend—lean into the omnipresence and providence of God. Because in him, you have a forever Friend. A presence not limited but steady. Not conditional but eternal.”

“Even when we can’t see it, God has his people. From our limited vantage point, it may look like we’re alone, but God sees the full picture. He is calling, pursuing, and bringing people into his family.”

“Our culture has conditioned us to pull away from anyone whose view or understanding might not be where we desire them to be. But as disciples of Jesus, we have the opportunity to not pull away, but to move towards, to see the potential in people.”

“Faith-based friendships have a unique foundation: they are built on grace. Our unity is not in hobbies, bands, or politics. Our unity is in the fact that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. That’s what we share in common.”

“Friendships cannot save us. They don’t have that power. But here’s the good news: Jesus does. He is the Friend who promises his everlasting presence.”

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