The importance of genuine Christian friendship, warns against the harm caused by unfriendly Christians, and encourages us to follow Jesus' example of love and companionship.
Good morning, family. How blessed we are to gather together today, to share in the Word of our Lord and to learn from His teachings. Today, we're going to take a deep dive into an issue that affects us all: friendship. But not just any friendship. We're talking about Christian friendship, the kind that grows in our hearts, nurtures our souls, and leads us closer to God.
We'll be focusing on Proverbs 17:17, which reads,
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."
In a world where it's easy to distance ourselves, to hide behind screens and masks, this passage calls us to love, to be present, to be a friend.
As Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and martyr once said, "The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them." And isn't that the core of friendship? To listen, to understand, to be there at all times, especially during the storms.
Let's bow our heads in prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we ask for your guidance today as we explore the depths of this scripture. Open our hearts to the wisdom of your word and help us to understand the importance of true friendship. Fill us with your love so we can extend it to others, just as Jesus did. May we follow His example and be a beacon of friendship and love in our community. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
So, let's dive in.
The danger of unfriendly Christians is a topic that warrants our attention because it touches on the very essence of our faith. As followers of Christ, we are called to love one another as He has loved us. However, when we fail to extend this love and friendship to others, we not only harm our relationships but also tarnish the image of Christianity.
A tree that bears no fruit: Just as a fruitless tree fails to fulfill its purpose, an unfriendly Christian fails to fulfill the commandment of love given by Christ. This failure is not just a personal shortcoming but a communal one. It affects the entire body of Christ because we are all interconnected. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers.
Extends beyond the church community: It affects our witness to the world. Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). When we fail to love and befriend others, we fail to demonstrate that we are His disciples. This can lead to a distorted image of Christianity in the eyes of non-believers, making it harder for them to see the love of Christ and accept Him as their Savior.
Can hinder the growth of the church: The church is not just a building or an institution. It is a community of believers, bound together by the love of Christ. This love is supposed to be the glue that holds us together, the force that attracts others to join us. However, when this love is missing, when we are unfriendly, the church can become a cold, unwelcoming place. This can discourage newcomers from joining us and even cause existing members to leave.
Can cause harm to themselves: We are not meant to live in isolation. We are social beings, created for community. When we distance ourselves from others, when we fail to form friendships, we deprive ourselves of the joy and support that these relationships can bring. We also miss out on opportunities to grow in our faith. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Through friendships, we can challenge and encourage each other, helping each other to become more like Christ.
Can hinder their own spiritual growth: The Christian life is a journey, a process of becoming more like Christ. This process involves not just personal devotion but also communal involvement. We need each other to grow. We need to learn from each other, to be challenged by each other, to be held accountable by each other. When we are unfriendly, when we avoid forming friendships, we limit our opportunities for growth. We become like a plant that refuses to be pruned, stunting its own growth.
The necessity of friendship is a concept that is deeply woven into the fabric of our Christian faith ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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