Friends ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Get People to Jesus” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 11/14-15/09,

Message #MB396; Daily Devotional #5 - “Friends”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): The National Science Foundation reported in its General Social Survey that unprecedented numbers of Americans are lonely. The study featured 1,500 face-to-face interviews, where more than a quarter of the respondents -- one in four -- said that they have no one with whom they can talk about their personal troubles or triumphs.[1] Friends, it seems that in society today true friendship is becoming a rare commodity. Yes, with Facebook and other social networking sites, we can stay in touch with and know what is going on in the lives of friends and acquaintances. Yet when looking at their network page, we will almost never see their real struggles and their true needs. This is where all the networking sites fail. True friendship is about knowing and meeting needs. Everyone has them, even you. Who else knows yours?

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Man's greatest need is forgiveness. You bring a friend to church, and they go forward to accept Christ. You may say, “My job is done, they are going to heaven.” However, if you are a true friend, your job is just beginning. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples,” not, “Go and invite someone to church, so they can have a onetime experience with Me,” (Matthew 28:19-20). Satan will tell you that you are not equipped to make disciples. But that’s not what Jesus said. Before Jesus told us to make disciples, He said all authority and power was His (Matthew 28:18). After He told us to make disciples, He said, “Surely I am with you always.” Discipleship is not as hard as you would think. Paul said it best, “For what I have received I passed on to you...” (1 Corinthians 15:3) and “you ought to follow our example” (2 Thessalonians 3:7). Discipleship is passing along what we have learned; what Christ has revealed to us. Are we perfect? No. Neither are the people God will place in our lives to disciple. This gives us the opportunity to show them how to seek God and find restoration when they make mistakes, just as you and I need to. Discipleship is not about being perfect, but about being real. As a true friend, we need to come alongside the believer and pass along what has been revealed to us. There is no need to worry about whether you have the ability or not, because Jesus is there.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Does anyone know your struggles or needs? Christianity is not a solitary practice. Community is where we as Christ followers grow the most. When Jesus sent out His disciples, He sent them out in pairs. He knew the importance of relationships. Let God teach you and others how to do life with Him through true friendships. Look for opportunities to connect with others in meaningful ways. If you are not already a part of one, join a home group, a small group, or attend the New Beginnings 101-201 classes. Start building relationships. In these we will most often not be a disciple, but a co-disciple as we disciple and are discipled by one another.

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 12:25; James 5:16; Hebrews 10:24