The Stages of Friendship

Have you ever felt like you were missing something?  Something in a recipe? Assembling a toy? 

The first missing piece in creation was Adam's need for somebody else.  God said that it's not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). 

Friendships are something we need, but struggle to embrace.  Here is a story about friendship.  

Luke 5:27-28 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

27 After this, Jesus left the house. He saw a tax collector sitting at the tax booth. 

The man’s name was Levi(Matthew). “Follow me,” Jesus said to him. 

28 Levi got up, left everything and followed him.''

1. Jesus calls us individually. 

Levi was using his profession as a tax collector to pad his own pockets.  Jesus saw him in his mess, but wanted him anyway. 

Your struggle will never disqualify you from your calling if you surrender it to Jesus.  

Levi was his Hebrew name, but Matthew was his Greek name. Matthew wrote the first Gospel.

Luke 5:29-30 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

29 Then Levi gave a huge banquet for Jesus at his house. 

A large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 

30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of the law complained to Jesus’ disciples. 

They said, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

2. Jesus calls us individually, but gathers us collectively. 

Matthew leaves his tax booth to throw a party for Jesus.  He invited all of his old tax collecting buddies.  He invited guys as bad as he was.  It upset the religious crowd.  

When Jesus saves you, it's not just for you, but for everyone that you're already connected too. 

The goal of the predator, Satan, is to separate us from the pack.  He's trying to isolate us to eat us (1 Peter 5:8).  

If we don't stand together with other Christians, we'll fall apart.  The enemy's only power is the power to deceive.  Our power is standing together. 

Here is the stages of Friendship.

A. We long for friendship.

B. To have friends, we need authenticity. 

C. Authenticity requires vulnerability.

  

D. Vulnerability requires someone taking the initiative.  

Luke 5:31-32 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. 

32 I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to turn away from their sins.”

3. Jesus helps us intentionally. 

Jesus helps those who recognize their need for him. The church is a hospital for hurting people who need Jesus.

Matthew 18:20 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

20 Where two or three people gather in my name, I am there with them.”

Jesus meets us in our small groups that's where healing and transformation takes place. For a church to grow big, it has to grow small. 

Do you need a friend who loves you just like you are, but loves you to much to leave you there?  Do you need a friend like Jesus to call you out of your mess?  

Say Lord Jesus, I give to you my life. Take my mess, and make it a message of your love and grace to those around me.  Be my Lord and Savior.  Amen.       

Notes taken from Mike Haman, Healing Place Church