The Kingdom: Relationships Matter (Friendship)

The Bromance. I am completely unashamed.

My family relationships matter, but they are not all that matter.

Christians are disarmed whenever they walk through life alone.

God made people for relationships.

We are to steward them just as well are our $.

Proverbs 18:24 NASB95

24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Are you a lonely Christian?

A person who attends church and lives for Jesus without investing in people.

Who is at fault in this scenario?

The Church - Programs over people

“Busy” culture - Do your job, take care of your family, and make friends if you have time.

You - Insecurities and fear keep us from investing in relationships.

What does the scripture tell us about friendship?

John 15:12–17 NASB95

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

1. Investing in people is God’s plan.

The son of God told the disciples that they were His friends.

They were to reciprocate His friendship by simply loving each other.

How did Jesus explain friendship?

“Laying down one’s life”. This is the model.

When the disciples loved each other, they were living as friends of God.

The disciples were His friends, not because they chose Him, but because He chose them.

They were called to bear fruit. He is the vine and the disciples were branches.

Fruit - Their love for one another was related to their mission in the world.

Mission is pointless if there is no love.

I’ve often based success in ministry on how many people were able to show up.

There is no purpose in this alone.

How do we as Christians “bear fruit”?

We notice one another and learn about each other.

We use Christ as our model for love.

Invest in each other more than we invest in anything else.

Acts 2:42–47 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

2. Friends must remain together. (v. 42-45)

The early church was amazed at what God was doing.

They were in awe.

Together

It’s simple. They didn’t live their lives apart.

All things in common.

This does not mean that they had no differences.

Their love for Jesus brought them together.

Their willingness to share was spurred on by their love for God and others.

The early church didn’t operate as an institution. The operated as a family.

People can tell when our churches are inwardly focused.

Who doesn’t want to join a church that’s together?

These weren’t just mere friendships. They were kingdom friendships.

How do you view the church?

What does it represent to you?

We grow when we are together.

Small groups.

Finding our tribe. Not our country club.

Seeking people and looking to grow.

Don’t be passive with people. Find people that you can be together with.