Friend Request

PRAY

I think we all know that friends are important. Not many would argue the fact that having friends is a good thing, we all know that.

I remember hearing this story recently but I don’t remember where I heard it. I feel like it may have been on a TV show or movie. But it was about two guys who had been friends since they were kids. They met on the playground one day when one went up to the other and asked if he wanted to be his friend. We hear a story like that and most of us think “awwwww”.

Belonging and relationships are an important part of humanity! Something we need. Something many of you are really searching for at this point in your lives.

This study done by Pew Research found a few interesting things.

social media is seen by teens concerned about mental health of teens to be the biggest contributing factor

Most teens say that social media doesn’t help or hurt their friendships

Almost 3/4 of teens say that social media helps them feel more connected to friends, but

almost 40% say it makes them feel overwhelmed by drama

almost 30% say it makes them feel excluded by friends and/or worse about their lives

And fewer and fewer teens see social media platforms as offering a real support system.

I believe when we look at information like this and hold it up against Scripture, we find that social media can be ok, but it doesn’t provide all that humans need when it comes to relationships. We’re going to look at what Scripture tells us about it tonight!

read verses 7-12

God created humans with a need for deep, meaningful friendships with others to be fulfilled.

We weren’t made to go stag.

God created humans to live in relationship with one another. It is a part of bearing his image.

Who has a swimming pool at their house? You getting that thing ready for summer? Invite me over any time!

What happens if the pump on your pool isn’t working? That water is going to get a little stinky right?… I mean you’ve still got a pool, but it’s not as enjoyable. Something is off with it right?

Something is off if we don’t have deep meaningful friendships in our lives.

verse 7-8

We can see this truth in Scripture from the very beginning.

Genesis 2:18 ESV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Of course this is about giving him a wife, but I think the principle also applies generally, especially in light of all that we see in Scripture…

We are made in God’s image… and part of that is being relational!

So what are the effects of having friends, or of not having friends?

Not having friends is a bummer.

We are missing something we need when we try to be the lone wolf.

Have you ever been alone and gotten in a situation where you thought there was no way you’d be able to get out? A couple years ago I was mowing behind our fence at home… The mower slowly slid into the ditch and I thought there was no way I was going to be able to get it out!

Imagine that feeling all the time!

9-12

Psalm 142:4 ESV

Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.

We are missing out on a lot when we don’t have these relationships…

I don’t think that social media “friendships” can scratch this itch.

…often looking to a stagnant screen that shows no responses, or very few. When we hit refresh and stare at a screen with no new updates, it can seem that no one is on the other side.

Tony Reinke

p.125 in 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You

Some people might say that they can only make friends online. Well that’s not necessarily a good thing…

look at a list of strange internet groups

I don’t say this to be mean or make anyone feel bad, but if you’re having to go online to find people who share an affinity for something then it may be something you shouldn’t have a affinity for.

We can have social media friends, but that can lack the level of depth we really need, leaving us with some of the pains that come with not having those relationships that we need.

I know that making friends can be really hard for some people and that can be a really difficult thing to deal with. There are different reasons that can be so it’s hard to address that with a whole group. If that’s you and you want to talk about that, there are a lot of people here who would be happy to sit down and talk with you and pray with you! Because we all need friends!

We’ve got to be humble enough to acknowledge that we need other people in our lives and we should be grateful to God for providing us with those relationships in our lives. Because…

Good friendships bring joy!

It feels good to share life with good friends because God designed us for community!

Think about the things you like to do… aren’t they all better with friends around you??

9-12

Philemon 4–7 ESV

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

How should we interact? In person and online?

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

What do we do for friends?

Galatians 6:1–2 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I’m not saying that using social media to add to your real world friendships is bad or that having online friends shouldn’t happen. I’m saying it’s not enough and that you need to represent Christ in those relationships the same way you do in face-to-face ones.

The most important relationship a human can have is with God. This is the first relationship that humanity had, we see this is Genesis…

But that relationship was broken by sin…