WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.720 In the absence of shared social spaces like offices or coffee shops or gyms or churches, 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.359 many of our casual acquaintances have dropped off altogether. 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:26.800 Many of those casual interactions with people, we may know their name, we see them because 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:31.280 they know our order at the coffee shop, those relationships faded away. 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:37.520 I think some people, if we're honest, have celebrated the complete lack of social obligations. 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:39.920 I would put myself in that category. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:40.820 I'm an introvert. 00:00:41.740 --> 00:00:47.179 And so as much as I'm a very social person, I love when we have nothing on the calendar. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:51.900 It feels very freeing and I think some people are feeling anxiety about the calendar starting 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:52.880 to fill back up. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:57.640 I think other people, though, have struggled with tremendous loneliness. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:07.719 And even close friends, even close family members have been driven apart by the amount of cultural 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:12.719 and political division and tension that exists in our society. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:14.540 I've experienced that in my own family. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:18.680 I have family members who don't speak to each other because of political differences. 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:25.900 And so now, as we are sort of looking forward, imagining that at some point we might be somewhat 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:31.320 post-pandemic, a lot of people are asking, you know, when we eventually come out of all 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:34.020 of this, what should my social priorities be? 00:01:34.080 --> 00:01:38.440 It feels like for some people, this is a bit of an opportunity to reset your social life. 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:41.140 Do I want to go back to the way things were before? 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:46.840 Or do I want to make changes, capitalizing on what has happened over the last year? 00:01:46.900 --> 00:01:52.200 There was actually an article, an essay in the New York Times written by Kate Murphy back 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:57.599 in June where Murphy offers tips for how to optimize your friendscape. 00:01:58.340 --> 00:02:01.379 I've never heard that term before, a friendscape. 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:05.680 But apparently if you can have a landscape and a tablescape, you can also have a friendscape. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:12.300 And so she says, here's how you can optimize your friendscape post-pandemic, optimize meaning 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:16.080 you get the most fulfillment out of the relationships that you're investing in. 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:20.219 So, you know, this raises a question for us as Christians, how should we be thinking about 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:22.159 our friendscape? 00:02:22.480 --> 00:02:24.800 How should we be thinking about our social priorities? 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:28.840 And is there any difference in how Christians think about this? 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:33.300 And so this morning we're going to see what the Apostle Paul might have to say about 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:33.980 these questions. 00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:39.840 We're going to be looking at Acts chapter 20, verse 36, through chapter 21, verse 26. 00:02:40.519 --> 00:02:44.399 We read a section of that, Jeff did earlier, but we're going to be looking at that whole 00:02:44.399 --> 00:02:44.839 section. 00:02:45.899 --> 00:02:49.659 And we're going to be looking at Paul's journey from Miletus to Jerusalem. 00:02:50.579 --> 00:02:52.899 And this kind of looks like a travel log. 00:02:52.959 --> 00:02:57.319 It looks like there's not much happening here, but in fact, we get a glimpse into a day in 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:03.039 the life of Paul, and specifically the kinds of relationships that Paul prioritized. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:06.060 He was always evangelizing, always among non-Christians. 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:10.620 But we see two kinds of Christian relationships that Paul prioritized. 00:03:11.359 --> 00:03:16.599 He prioritized Christian fellowship, and he prioritized Christian friendship. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:21.159 And we're going to look at those two kinds of relationships and ask what this means for 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:21.419 us. 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:21.899 Let's pray. 00:03:24.799 --> 00:03:28.219 Lord, we thank you that we're here at your invitation. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:33.659 We thank you for the prayer we prayed a little while ago, that your grace always precedes us. 00:03:34.399 --> 00:03:36.599 It's because of your grace that we're here. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:40.479 It's because of your grace that you speak to us through your word. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:45.619 It's because of your grace that you know what we each need to hear right now. 00:03:46.519 --> 00:03:53.479 And so, Lord, I pray that your spirit would do your work through your word in us, that 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:57.519 we might be people who glorify you, Lord, in our relationships. 00:03:57.679 --> 00:03:58.899 We pray this in your son's name. 00:03:59.659 --> 00:03:59.959 Amen. 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:00.080 Amen. 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:07.020 So, first of all, we see in Paul's life this priority put on Christian fellowship. 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:11.640 The thing you need to understand about Paul is that from the moment of Paul's conversion, 00:04:11.980 --> 00:04:13.420 he is on the road. 00:04:13.540 --> 00:04:14.700 He is traveling. 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:21.460 And some estimates say that Paul traveled as many as 10,000 miles on his various missionary 00:04:21.460 --> 00:04:21.980 journeys. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:24.660 And a lot of that was on foot. 00:04:24.660 --> 00:04:34.280 So, Paul traveled thousands of miles, and whenever Paul arrived in a new place, not only 00:04:34.280 --> 00:04:39.840 was he there to evangelize, but one of the first things he would almost always do would 00:04:39.840 --> 00:04:41.379 be to find the local church. 00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.280 He would arrive and he would say, where are the Christians? 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:45.420 Where's the church? 00:04:45.640 --> 00:04:46.400 Where are the disciples? 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:47.860 And he would seek them out. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:50.420 And we see that here again and again and again. 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:53.420 Back in chapter 18, Jeff preached on that a few weeks ago. 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:54.860 So, Paul arrives in Corinth. 00:04:55.020 --> 00:04:58.699 The first thing he does is to seek out Priscilla and Aquila. 00:04:59.460 --> 00:05:03.000 In chapter 21, he has a seven-day layover in Tyre. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:08.220 And verse 4 says, the first thing he does is to seek out the disciples in Tyre. 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:09.080 That means the church. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:12.080 Now, what you have to understand is, you say, well, of course. 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:13.540 I mean, Paul was planting churches. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:14.980 He wanted to check and see how they were doing. 00:05:15.280 --> 00:05:16.560 Paul never planted this church. 00:05:17.400 --> 00:05:18.980 He didn't plant the church in Tyre. 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:20.960 He didn't know these people. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:21.819 He had never met them. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:25.360 And yet he prioritizes finding them. 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:28.959 Not just to say hello, but to worship with them and spend time with them. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:35.019 They form such a bond over the course of a week that when it's time for Paul to leave, 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:37.540 everybody from the church, just imagine this. 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:38.899 He's been there a week. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:44.620 Everybody from the church, men, women, children, they all come with Paul out to the beach. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:49.319 They all kneel together in the sand and they all pray for his departure. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:52.500 I mean, that's a beautiful send-off. 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:59.540 Then they arrive in Ptolemy and they find the church there and they spend the night with those believers. 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:06.000 And then they go to Caesarea and they stay with Philip the evangelist and his daughters who have the gift of prophecy. 00:06:06.159 --> 00:06:08.379 And they stay there for a number of days. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:15.600 And then the people from the church in Caesarea personally escort Paul and his party to Jerusalem. 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:20.079 So all along the way, wherever Paul goes, he finds the church. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:20.719 It was funny. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:24.680 I was talking to the Beelmans who were back with us. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:26.480 Dan and his family are back. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:28.120 We're very excited about this. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:28.459 Yes? 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:37.079 So if you see a sketchy guy walking around who looks like Dan Beelman but not in a collar, it's because they're back. 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:39.799 He's officially back starting next week. 00:06:40.239 --> 00:06:41.219 But we're happy to have him. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:45.399 But he was telling me a little bit about their travels over the course of their sabbaticals. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.379 I'm sure they'll tell you. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:50.099 And one of the things they did was wherever they went, they tried to find the local church. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:57.259 And so they have all these great stories of worshiping in and meeting people in all of these Anglican churches all around the Anglican communion. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:59.199 And this is what Paul did. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:05.599 And what you see in Paul's life is because he is open and desirous of fellowship, 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:09.819 because Paul's the kind of guy who would come into a place like Tyre and say, 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:10.939 I've never met those people. 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:15.360 I have no idea what they're like, but I know they're followers of Jesus, and I want to worship with them. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:22.819 Because he's that kind of person, he had to be able to get along with all different kinds of Christians. 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:30.920 And there were and are lots of different kinds of Christians who fall along different cultural lines. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:35.279 And you see a prime example of this in chapter 21, verse 17. 00:07:35.779 --> 00:07:44.259 Paul arrives in Jerusalem, and the church in Jerusalem is filled with thousands of converts from Judaism to Christianity. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:51.379 And because they converted from Judaism to Christianity, they are zealous for the traditions of their fathers. 00:07:51.539 --> 00:07:55.339 They had grown up with the ceremonial purification rites. 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:57.300 They had grown up with the Mosaic law. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:00.620 It wasn't just a way of pleasing God. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.019 It was an entire way of life. 00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:03.439 It was the only culture they knew. 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:07.800 Paul gets into Jerusalem, tells them about his travels among the Gentiles, 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:10.439 and you can imagine what they say to one another. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.800 Like, great Paul, that sounds amazing. 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:14.180 Lots of Gentile conversions. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.720 But then behind closed doors, they're like, but that means he's unclean. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.379 Because he's been among the Gentiles. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:26.660 And so the elders pull Paul aside and they say, listen, we know your message. 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:28.000 We know what you've been preaching. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:34.700 We know that what you're saying about the Mosaic law is that it is no longer a way to be saved. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.200 That it never was. 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:39.879 And that the only way to be saved, the only way to truly be cleansed, 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:42.340 is through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:43.320 We know this. 00:08:43.400 --> 00:08:44.200 We believe this. 00:08:45.020 --> 00:08:49.759 What you have to understand is that there's a lot of misconception in this church about you. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:52.840 A lot of people see you as an enemy of Jewish culture. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:56.140 They think that you're trying to subvert our entire way of life. 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.940 And a lot of these people don't trust you. 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:04.160 And so what they say is, what would be really great, Paul, 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:10.879 is if you were to go through the purification rites, the seven-day cleansing period, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.939 because you've been among the Gentiles, 00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:17.559 and if you were to pay off the debt owed by these four, 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:20.059 pay the offering for these four men who are under a vow, 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.759 come to their absolution ceremony, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:25.459 show people that you're not totally against our way of life, 00:09:25.959 --> 00:09:29.439 and they're probably going to be much more willing to trust you. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:33.000 Now, Paul knows that this purification rite means nothing. 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:36.680 He knows that Jesus is the only one who can purify you, 00:09:37.280 --> 00:09:38.280 and yet he does it. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:39.920 He does it anyway. 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:43.180 It probably really goes against a lot of Paul's convictions, 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:45.960 but he's willing to do it. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.420 And you ask, well, why? 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.980 Is this a moment of hypocrisy in Paul's life? 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:52.060 And you say, no. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:55.039 One of the commentators, the G. Fernando, says, 00:09:55.279 --> 00:10:00.480 I believe this shows us how seriously Paul viewed the unity of the church 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:04.899 and how he was willing to do everything possible to be one 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:08.639 with those who were different in perspective from himself. 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.920 Listen to this point. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.399 Paul was so committed to Christian fellowship 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:19.600 that he's willing to flex to accommodate all of these Jewish converts. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:21.600 Now, I want to be clear on this. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:23.860 There are some things that Paul would never flex on. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:29.519 Issues that were core to the gospel, core to Jesus, core to salvation. 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:32.659 Paul will contend for those things until he dies. 00:10:33.420 --> 00:10:36.539 But what we're dealing with here is a cultural difference. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:38.560 This would be like coming into a church 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:40.740 of living and worshiping as a Christian 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:43.700 so that I can get along with the people in this room. 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:44.860 That's what Paul is doing. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:49.120 And so this is a kind of cultural difference. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:51.080 This would also apply to political differences. 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:56.039 Paul would prioritize unity over being right. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.279 And that's a very important thing to see. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.980 So the summary of this first point is this. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:05.539 I guarantee you Paul was as busy as anybody in this room. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:09.940 And Paul probably traveled more than most of us in this room. 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:14.639 And yet Paul did whatever he could to stay connected to other believers 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:17.259 because he prioritized Christian fellowship. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:20.120 So before we move on, I just want to ask, 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:26.299 what does this mean for a church like ours in the age of COVID 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:31.120 when a lot of churches like ours decided back in March of 2020 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:34.659 to take our service and a lot of our programming online? 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:36.379 I stand by that decision. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.159 I believe that it was the right thing to do. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:41.279 It was the way to love our neighbors and to slow the spread of COVID. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:42.399 And that's why we did it. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.939 And I think on the one hand, 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:49.559 if I recognize there are people right now who are live streaming this service, 00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:52.100 we have to recognize and praise God for the benefits 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:54.279 and the blessings that have come with this technology. 00:11:54.939 --> 00:11:56.959 This has allowed people to connect with us. 00:11:57.480 --> 00:12:00.559 Not only people who can't come to worship with us, 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:02.019 but people from all around the world. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.259 This has allowed people to connect with us 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:06.039 who were not a part of any church. 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:09.000 This has allowed people to connect with us 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.500 who never otherwise would have found our church. 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:13.819 And some of those people are sitting in the room right now. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.360 They're here because they found us online. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.099 And praise God for that. 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:21.299 This continues to allow people to join with us virtually 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:24.279 because there are legitimate reasons 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:27.259 why people can't or should not come right now, 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:29.919 especially with concerns over the Delta variant, 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:33.319 people feeling that for all kinds of various legitimate reasons, 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:36.720 they're not ready to expose themselves or their children 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.960 to the possibility of infection. 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:41.840 So it's a blessing that those people can continue to worship with us. 00:12:42.760 --> 00:12:44.060 But on the other hand, 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:53.580 how is this altering our view of church moving forward long-term? 00:12:53.640 --> 00:12:55.680 What's the long-term impact of this? 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:59.020 My sense is that for many of us, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:03.579 the fact that we've gone so long without worshiping in person 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:06.819 means that the whole idea of having to get up, 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:08.639 get yourself ready, 00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.919 maybe get your kids ready, 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:11.460 maybe get your spouse ready 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:14.059 so that you can come to church together in person, 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:19.019 that that is moving way down on the priority list of a lot of people. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.299 We went so long without it, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:23.000 why do we need it? 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:29.159 And you think about all of the things vying for that place of priority on a Sunday morning. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:29.519 You know, 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:34.639 working remotely means that you can travel and stay gone on vacation a lot longer 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.580 and work from anywhere, 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:37.460 so no need to be in D.C. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.779 Life is extremely busy. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.379 Things are picking back up. 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.580 It's only going to get busier. 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:47.360 Then you have kids' sports. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:50.519 A lot of our sports commitments happen on Sunday mornings. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:54.860 Then you have the allure of things like Sunday brunch 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:57.439 that we would love to be able to do 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:59.600 or just the pure joy of sleeping in. 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.860 Now, I'm not here to accuse anyone. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:04.500 I love a good Sunday brunch. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.419 I want you to consider, though, 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.500 and be honest with yourself, 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.899 what are my priorities? 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:14.000 What takes that place of primacy? 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:17.039 So that's the first thing we need to be thinking. 00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:18.079 The second question is, 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:20.600 is it, you know, 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:23.920 how does this impact the way we think about 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:28.460 being Christians in an age of political and cultural division? 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:30.340 When you look at Paul, how he lived, 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:32.860 how might we live? 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:33.840 Right? 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:37.780 Advent is blessed to be a culturally and politically diverse church. 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:40.139 If you're newer, you may not know that. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.680 But there are so many different political, 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:46.960 cultural, religious backgrounds represented in this room right now. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.800 It's amazing. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.259 It's one of the great charisms, 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:50.740 the great blessings that we have. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.820 We have Biden supporters. 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.080 We have Trump supporters. 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:54.600 And we have everything in between. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:59.400 We have people who disagree on almost every major issue you can think of. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:02.579 And that's a huge blessing. 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:07.159 This month, we're launching two new initiatives at Church of the Advent. 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:09.779 One is a ministry to refugees. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:14.620 And that ministry means that we're going to primarily be partnering with an organization 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.360 that's at work, doing work here in D.C. 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:20.579 that probably falls to the left of where most people are at Church of the Advent. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:25.680 The other initiative that we're launching is an outdoor ministry for men and boys called 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:26.379 Trail Life. 00:15:27.020 --> 00:15:30.320 And that organization is culturally and politically on the right, 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:33.879 probably further to the right than most people in this room. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:36.400 And we're doing both. 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:39.820 And I can guarantee you, because it's already started to happen, 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:42.639 it's going to upset some people on both sides. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.500 And they're going to say, 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.740 why is our church partnering with them? 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.520 Or partnering with them? 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:50.399 What does that say about our church and where we're headed? 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:54.879 What I would say is that it provokes us to ask this question. 00:15:55.279 --> 00:16:01.340 Is it worth it for us to come together and to overcome our differences in order to have fellowship? 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:08.740 Or is it better to simply stay home and spend time with people who only think like we do? 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:12.379 And that's what you can do when you can live stream church from anywhere. 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:16.759 In that article I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.639 on Friendscapes from Kate Murphy, 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.379 she actually warns readers, 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.819 and this is a quote from her article, 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.519 that she says, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:29.159 we need to be mindful of spending too much time with friends who struggle with weight, 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.100 depression, 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.600 or substance abuse. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.879 Be mindful of how much time you spend 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.120 with people who struggle with those things. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:39.399 Because she says that we should prioritize people 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:41.379 who make us feel better about the world 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.539 and about ourselves. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.299 And if you're spending time with somebody who's struggling, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.759 you're not going to feel very good. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:48.460 That's not the best way to optimize your friendscape. 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:54.519 But it reflects this kind of modern conception of relationships that we have in our culture. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:57.179 My question when I look at this person, Jeff, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:59.200 does he meet my needs? 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:02.259 Is Jeff fulfilling to me? 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:05.180 Yes, you are. 00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:06.579 Is he fulfilling to me? 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.799 Does he fit in with my life plan? 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:14.279 Is he going to help optimize my social friendscape? 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:15.500 You know, or not? 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:17.159 Is he going to drag me down? 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:21.940 The thing that we need to understand by looking at Paul and other places in Scripture is, 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.440 Christians don't ask, 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.639 what can you do for me? 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.599 Christians ask, 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:29.200 what might God do in us both? 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:32.940 Just by us being in connection with one another. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:35.200 You know, we believe that when we gather like this, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:39.080 that God is active and present in a unique way 00:17:39.080 --> 00:17:41.100 when his people come together, 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.420 wherever two or three are gathered. 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:47.920 And there are all kinds of ways that the Holy Spirit works in us 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:50.600 when we come together in person. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:54.100 You know, maybe you are angry at somebody in this room right now, 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:55.960 and you are bitter toward them, 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.019 and you can't stand the sight of them, 00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.580 and then guess what happens? 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:02.679 Perhaps you're coming up in line to receive communion, 00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:05.199 and that person is standing right in front of you. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:08.199 And you're standing there looking at the back of their head, 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.159 and you're thinking, 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:12.339 how in the world could this happen? 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:18.139 The Holy Spirit wants to convict you and soften your heart. 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:20.799 Do not think that that is a random occurrence. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:24.939 Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by all that's happening in the world. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.819 You look at Afghanistan, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:28.099 you look at just kind of the mess everywhere, 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.819 and you feel completely overwhelmed. 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:31.219 And then we stand together, 00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:34.939 and all of a sudden we're singing a song about the victory of Jesus, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.839 and how one day Jesus is going to come back 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:40.139 and bring justice and mercy and put the world right again, 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:41.599 and everything is going to be restored. 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.719 And as you're struggling to sing it, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:46.959 you hear the voices of your brothers and sisters all around you, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.559 and they're singing it with conviction, 00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:49.899 and all of a sudden, guess what's happening? 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:53.819 The Holy Spirit is using their faith to strengthen your faith. 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.819 Right? 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:58.500 Maybe you act like everything is great in your life, 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.740 and you have this projection of positivity, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.500 but it's starting to crumble. 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:05.720 And then you have a random conversation with somebody, 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:07.379 you haven't talked to them in six months, 00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.679 out on the patio out there, 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.220 and they kind of pull you aside, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.759 and they look at you, 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.279 and they say, 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:13.619 how are you really doing? 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:17.159 And you weren't planning on talking about it. 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.360 Not even with your therapist. 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.779 Not even with your spiritual director. 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.660 And all of a sudden, 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.880 it just starts coming out. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:27.040 The Holy Spirit is using that person 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.080 to bring things into the light. 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.380 Places that you need healing. 00:19:31.060 --> 00:19:32.940 Maybe you find yourself in conversation 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:35.860 with somebody you completely disagree with politically. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:38.800 I can't believe you voted for that person. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.880 I hate people like you. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.820 Right? 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.000 And then you end up really connecting. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:47.839 And some of the things they say make sense. 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.359 And the Spirit starts to kind of nudge you 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:51.839 and convict you of your pride 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.160 and your closed-mindedness 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:55.119 and your tendency to judge people 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.920 who are different from you. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.440 Right? 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.339 So we like to think that God works 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:01.180 in these kind of mountaintop experiences 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.259 and God works when we go here or do that. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.039 God is working right now. 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.579 God works through those chance, 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.180 random, small talk encounters. 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.799 That is the Christian life. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.319 And so Christian fellowship means 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.859 making yourself available 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.979 to God and what God might do 00:20:16.979 --> 00:20:18.359 through other people in your life. 00:20:19.919 --> 00:20:21.599 Christian fellowship is essential 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:23.299 to what it means to be a Christian. 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.619 And here's the thing. 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:26.259 You can stream sermons. 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:29.099 You can stream music. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.639 But you cannot stream Christian fellowship. 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:37.280 And there is nothing that God can do in your heart 00:20:37.280 --> 00:20:39.080 hiking the Camino de Santiago 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.780 or spending a year at Labrie 00:20:40.780 --> 00:20:43.940 that he cannot do on an average Sunday morning 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:45.180 in a local church. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.980 So I'm glad you're here. 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:50.940 I'm glad you're here. 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.240 So that's the first point. 00:20:53.300 --> 00:20:56.020 Paul prioritizes Christian fellowship. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.340 The second point is shorter, 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.420 but every bit is important. 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:02.700 In addition to Christian fellowship, 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.259 which is a sort of general openness 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.320 and desire to be around 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:07.220 and can connect with lots of different Christians, 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:10.539 we also see that Paul prioritizes Christian friendship. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:13.980 And if fellowship is open and inclusive, 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:20.039 friendship is far more exclusive by design. 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:22.619 I mean, every now and then you meet somebody in your life 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:24.500 who starts to become a true friend. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.259 And so friendship is more exclusive. 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:28.119 You may only have a handful 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:30.639 of really close Christian friends. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.539 And what the Bible would show us is that we need both. 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:35.240 You need fellowship and you need friendship. 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.500 Right? 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.740 You need traveling companions. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:41.079 In addition to all of the churches that Paul visited, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:43.460 Paul's close friends and companions 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.920 were always with him. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:48.059 He almost always had traveling companions 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.619 with him on the road. 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.839 And throughout Acts 21, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:53.339 Paul has something like eight other men 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:55.019 who are traveling with him 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.960 on his journey to Jerusalem. 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.500 And we know that one of those people 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.619 is the apostle Luke. 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:02.039 And you say, well, how do we know that Luke 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:04.519 is with Paul on this journey? 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.740 And that's because at some point, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:07.159 when they reach Troas, 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.819 from that point on, 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.960 all of a sudden it becomes, 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:12.619 we, we did this, we did that. 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:14.019 And what most likely happened is 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.159 Luke was in Troas. 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:16.620 And as Paul passes through, 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:18.880 Luke joins him and continues on with him. 00:22:19.540 --> 00:22:20.980 So in that point in the story, 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:22.759 it becomes first person plural, we. 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:26.160 And so these men are traveling with Paul. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.700 And so we ask, well, what are the qualities 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.900 that you look for in a true Christian friend? 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:32.400 And here we see two. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:34.500 The first quality that you look for 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:36.080 in a true Christian friend is this, 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.620 that they're the kind of person 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:42.759 who seeks God's greatest good in your life. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:47.839 They seek God's greatest good in your life. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.980 We know from Acts chapter 20, verse 22, 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:53.140 that Paul felt constrained by the Holy Spirit 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:54.059 to go to Jerusalem. 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:56.000 That's where God was calling him to go. 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.220 But all along the way, 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.220 the Holy Spirit has been telling Paul's friends 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.700 that when he gets to Jerusalem, 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.519 bad things are going to happen. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.859 You're going to be tied up. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.960 You're going to be handed over. 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.180 You're going to be imprisoned. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.220 You may even die. 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.660 He's hearing all of these horrible things. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:10.460 The Spirit is telling all of his friends 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.299 this is going to happen. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:13.819 And so everybody is begging Paul not to go. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:15.220 Please don't go to Jerusalem. 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.240 They're weeping. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.359 They're imploring him. 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.480 And Luke confesses, 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:20.159 even, you know, I was begging him. 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.339 None of us wanted Paul to go 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.859 because we knew bad things were going to happen. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.079 Paul says in verse 13, 00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.279 what are you doing? 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.799 Weeping and breaking my heart. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.980 For I'm ready not only to be in prison, 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.399 but even to die in Jerusalem 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.700 for the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:39.160 And the way his friends respond 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.759 is really what defines them 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:43.539 as being true Christian friends. 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.319 Verse 14, 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:46.400 since he would not be persuaded, 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.720 we ceased and said, 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:51.880 let the will of the Lord be done. 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.920 And what commentators say is, 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.319 do not make the mistake of thinking 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:57.120 that this is just a tired resignation. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.900 They give up. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.960 Okay, whatever, Paul. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:02.039 This is an earnest prayer. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.980 They're saying what we really want for you. 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:06.319 Emotionally, what we want 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.360 is that you would live forever. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.319 But even more than that, 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.519 what we really want for you 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:12.559 is that the will of the Lord 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.559 would be done in your life, 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:15.579 even if it means that you're going to suffer. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.799 Even it means that we might suffer. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.160 Right? 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:22.519 And so they say this amazing thing to Paul, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.380 and it shows us that 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:25.519 even though they love Paul, 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:28.339 they actually love and trust God more. 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.160 They love Paul enough 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.519 to do everything to protect him, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.660 but they love God enough 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:36.660 to do nothing to stop him from going 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:38.300 when they know that it's God's will that he go. 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:39.980 And you know, 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:40.740 in this day and age, 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:42.240 you're often going to hear people say, 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.279 well, you know, 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.120 I just, 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.759 all that, 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.540 what I really, 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:47.000 I just want you to be happy. 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.060 I mean, 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.680 yeah, 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.820 if that's going to make you happy, 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.460 that's what I really want. 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.400 I just want you to be happy. 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.720 That's what a friend is, right? 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.279 A friend is just, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.560 I just, 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.540 whatever it means for you, 00:24:56.540 --> 00:24:57.480 I just want you to be happy. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.980 True Christian friends don't say that. 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:03.480 True Christian friends say, 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:03.700 you know, 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.039 I'm not going to settle for 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.700 what you think is going to make you happy. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.960 I'm not even going to settle for 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.680 what I think might make you happy. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:15.039 I'm not going to settle for anything short 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:17.019 of God's greatest good in your life, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.519 whatever that might be. 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.579 And I'm going to fight for that, 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.440 even if it brings us 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:24.120 intention with one another. 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:27.000 And we need people like this in our lives, 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.259 you know, 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:29.960 whatever your version of Jerusalem looks like, 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.879 whatever your Jerusalem is, 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:35.359 everybody in this room, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.779 God has a purpose for you 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:38.759 and God is calling you to a vocation 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:41.079 and God is intending to work through you 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.099 in that vocation. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:44.019 Whatever that is, 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.420 it probably means you're going to suffer 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.299 and it probably means 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:46.900 there are going to be things 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.460 that you have to do 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.279 that you don't want to do, 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.920 things that may even harm you. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:53.059 And you need people in your life 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:55.059 who want God's will to be done 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.740 in your life, 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:57.200 even if it means it's going to be hard. 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.539 Even if it means you're going to suffer. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.420 So that's the first quality 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.180 of a true Christian friend. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.039 The second quality 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:07.519 is that true friends stay by your side, 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.599 even when it's hard. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:10.779 You know, 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:12.000 these men realize 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.500 that Paul must go to Jerusalem 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.700 even though it's dangerous, 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.500 even though there's risk, 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.619 because God is calling him there. 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.779 So look what they say. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.039 And I've read over this 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.980 a hundred times before I saw it 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.400 and what it actually means. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.579 In verse 15, 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.939 after these days, 00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:29.019 we got ready 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.319 and went up to Jerusalem. 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:30.699 You're like, 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.339 wait, what? 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.859 The word that I skipped over 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.519 a hundred times, 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.159 we. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.439 The Spirit says, 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.159 you're going to suffer, 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.779 you're going to die, 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:40.039 it's going to be bad for you in Jerusalem. 00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:41.220 Not you're going to die, 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.500 but they're afraid he's going to die. 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:45.039 It's going to go bad for you. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.679 They try to convince him not to go. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.220 They're weeping. 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.799 Paul says, 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.439 I have to go. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.199 God's calling me to go. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.500 They say, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:49.859 okay, 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:50.880 well, 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.680 we're going with you. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.279 You're not going alone. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.059 Even if it means 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.559 we're going to suffer. 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.440 And then here's the thing. 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.640 If you follow the story out, 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.660 you know what happens. 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.880 Almost all those guys 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:04.920 pull out 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.960 at some point or another. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.519 Except one. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:12.000 One person stays by his side. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:15.980 If you look at the last letter 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.000 Paul ever wrote, 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.720 2 Timothy, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.119 Paul sitting in prison, 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.720 just as the Spirit predicted 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.240 what happened. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.039 And Paul writes, 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:27.160 Luke alone is with me. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.640 Luke alone is with me. 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:35.200 Luke is Paul's faithful companion. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.319 Luke who Paul calls 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:39.359 the beloved physician. 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.240 Now why would Paul call him 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.180 the beloved physician? 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:45.259 All the times that Paul 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.339 was whipped, 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.400 beaten, 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.420 stripped, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.019 thrown down on the ground, 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.259 left to rot in prison, 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.299 left for dead. 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.460 Who do you think it was 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.240 that picked him up? 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.660 Who do you think it was 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.819 that bandaged his wounds? 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.120 Who do you think it was 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.799 that fed him 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.940 and nursed him back to health? 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.200 Who do you think it was 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.140 that got him new clothing, 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.059 new supplies? 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.240 Who do you think it was 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.279 that encouraged him 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.680 to get back up on his feet 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.660 and to keep going 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.380 the hard road? 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:11.180 It was the beloved physician. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.880 His friend Luke. 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.380 And you may hear this 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:16.740 and you think, 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.640 well this is crazy. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:20.180 This sounds like sadism. 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.620 You know, 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.759 you're saying that these people 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:23.160 were being good friends to Paul 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.960 by seeking God's greatest good 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.880 and yet that means 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.279 that he's going to have to go 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.579 and suffer in Jerusalem? 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:30.220 And I would say, 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.480 yeah, 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.779 it does sound crazy 00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:33.039 by today's standards, 00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:35.779 but it doesn't sound 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.659 any crazier 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.819 than the idea 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.079 that God's greatest good 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.139 for all humanity 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:42.480 would be sending another man 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:44.099 to go and suffer in Jerusalem. 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.220 But this man, 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.159 unlike Paul, 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.039 didn't have anybody 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.599 go with him. 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:51.799 Everybody pulled out. 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.500 Everybody abandoned him. 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:55.420 And it wasn't just any man, 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:58.420 it was God's own son. 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.740 And this is the point 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.640 we want to end on. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.980 As important as it is 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.900 to have fellowship 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.579 and to have friendship, 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.920 and we all need both, 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.119 our greatest hope 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:12.119 is not our uncompromising 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.939 commitment and devotion. 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.159 Our greatest hope 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:17.139 is not our total devotion 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.959 to one another. 00:29:18.939 --> 00:29:20.000 Our greatest hope 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.299 is not our total devotion 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:21.939 to unity. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.179 It's not our total devotion 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:24.299 even to Jesus 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:26.000 because over the course 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.419 of our lives, 00:29:26.479 --> 00:29:27.379 we are going to fail 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.059 and falter 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.399 in all of those categories. 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.379 There's no such thing 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.259 as a perfect friend. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.259 There's no such thing 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.159 as perfect fellowship. 00:29:34.439 --> 00:29:35.819 Our hope doesn't rest 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.639 in our devotion. 00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.699 It rests in Jesus' 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:41.180 uncompromising devotion 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.380 to us. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.580 The fact that when Jesus 00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:45.279 looked at his disciples, 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.299 saying of anyone 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.420 who follows him, 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:51.259 don't just think of yourself 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.080 as a disciple, 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.220 don't just think of yourself 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:53.960 as a follower, 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.980 I'm calling you a friend. 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.880 And what that means 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.980 is that Jesus 00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:01.019 will never, ever, ever 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.299 abandon you. 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.940 And the way we know that 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.860 is by looking at the cross. 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:07.319 The reason that we know 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.680 that Jesus is such a good friend 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.900 is he was willing 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.900 to go to the cross 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.900 not just with us 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.900 but for us. 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.060 And because he was 00:30:15.060 --> 00:30:17.019 uncompromising on the cross, 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:18.039 we know that he will be 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.120 uncompromising 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:20.580 in his commitment 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:22.060 to us. 00:30:23.580 --> 00:30:24.700 It shows us 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.860 that Jesus is the kind 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.259 of friend 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.140 who goes with us 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.500 even to the grave, 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:30.980 even into death, 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.840 and he carries us 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.680 through death 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.560 to the other side, 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.320 to what is waiting 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.939 for us 00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:39.899 beyond death, 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.700 never leaving us, 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.759 never forsaking us. 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:43.319 And this is what 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:44.099 our fellowship 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.500 and our friendship 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:47.359 has to be centered on. 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.179 Not the fact 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:49.240 that we are good friends, 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:49.759 not the fact 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.619 that we have an amazing, 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.480 diverse fellowship, 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:54.419 but on the fact 00:30:54.419 --> 00:30:55.339 that Jesus Christ 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.000 is the one 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.220 and only true friend 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:59.319 who shows us 00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.819 what it means 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.460 to be a friend. 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.000 And we need to be 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.819 the kind of community 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:04.099 that reminds one another 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.599 of this 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.480 again and again 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:05.899 and again, 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:07.179 especially when our lives 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.899 become difficult. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.759 So I encourage you 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.859 over the next months, 00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:11.599 over the next years, 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:12.579 as you are thinking, 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.339 how am I going 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.240 to prioritize, 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.059 how am I going 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.679 to sculpt 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.319 and shape 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:18.839 my friendscape, 00:31:20.139 --> 00:31:21.799 prioritize both 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.799 Christian fellowship 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:24.259 and Christian friendship. 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.759 If you want 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.439 to feel closer 00:31:26.439 --> 00:31:27.079 to God, 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.959 focus on your relationship 00:31:28.959 --> 00:31:29.859 with God's people. 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.699 Let's pray. 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:34.819 Lord, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.340 we thank you 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.140 for your word 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:37.299 and we thank you 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.100 for your son 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:39.559 and we thank you 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:41.180 for his commitment 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.819 to us 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:43.640 and we thank you 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.860 that it's in your love 00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.580 that we learn 00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.319 how to love 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:48.140 and it's in your friendship 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.840 that we learn 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.779 how to be friends 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.480 and it's in your open 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.240 embrace, 00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.299 Lord, 00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.120 on the cross. 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.360 You open wide 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.019 your arms 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.720 on the hard wood 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.340 of the cross 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.400 and it's in that openness 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.759 that we learn 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.600 how to have fellowship. 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.959 Lord, 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:03.379 we pray for your blessing 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.279 on this community 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.119 that we would be 00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:06.439 those who first 00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:07.199 and foremost 00:32:07.199 --> 00:32:08.219 rest in your grace 00:32:08.219 --> 00:32:09.240 and commitment to us 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.500 but that we would be 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.980 people who are truly open 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.039 and welcoming 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.679 in our fellowship 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.399 with one another 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.539 and that we would be 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.059 people who know 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.000 how to be true friends, 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.919 Lord, 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.939 in ways that honor you. 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.819 We pray this 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.839 in your son's holy name. 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.319 Amen. 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.439 Amen. 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:21.519 Amen. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.439 Amen. 00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:23.439 Amen. 00:32:23.439 --> 00:32:23.519 Amen. 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.439 Amen. 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.439 Amen. 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:25.519 Amen. 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.599 Amen. 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.699 Amen. 00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:31.839 Amen. 00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.279 Amen. 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.519 Amen. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:32.679 Amen. 00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:32.859 Amen. 00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:33.199 Amen. 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.679 Amen. 00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:36.819 Amen. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:36.879 Amen. 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:49.879 Amen. 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.099 Amen. 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.459 Amen. 00:32:50.459 --> 00:32:50.819 Amen. 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.000 Amen. 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.719 Amen. 00:32:51.719 --> 00:32:52.379 Amen. 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:52.519 Amen. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:52.599 Amen. 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.099 Amen. 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.379 Amen. 00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:54.819 Amen. 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:55.319 Amen. 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:55.719 Amen. 00:32:55.719 --> 00:32:55.740 Amen. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:55.759 Amen. 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:55.859 Amen. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.559 Amen. 00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:56.779 Amen. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.839 Amen. 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:57.919 Amen. 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.539 Amen. 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.879 Amen. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.240 Amen.