Spiritual Friendship

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Paul stresses the importance of spiritual friendships by describing his relationship with the Thessalonians. Hindrances to spiritual friendships involve 1) Satan's attack on spiritual relationships; 2) codependency; 3) being disengaged. The strengths and weaknesses of the tribal and diffuse approach to relationships are also explained.

The Dynamics of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

The Bible teaches clearly that fulfillment and happiness come from eternal relationships built around serving love. These relationships are neither codependent (clinging to others out of neediness) or disengaged (low involvement due to a lack of availability), nor are they primarily tribal or diffuse. Instead, mature serving love is deeply involved and seeks to give to others whenever possible, and this sacrificial love is learned through personal experience in the body of Christ.

Christ-Centered Friendships

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 2:42-46

God's plan for love involves real relationships. The most basic friendship God wants us to start with is having casual friendships. Casual friendships involve initiating others-centered conversations.

Key Elements of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:15

Paul models serving love for believers by describing his personal relationship with the Thessalonian church. His love for them is motivated by the gospel and characterized by integrity in ministry, reliance on the truth, correct motives for service, and the practice of personal discipleship. Serving love is more rewarding than receiving love from others because of its eternal value, and pursuing it leads to a fulfilling and joyous life.

The Foundation of Christian Community: Biblical Love

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 4

Paul instructs the Corinthians on the importance of exercising biblical love, and then describes what this sacrificial love really is. Agape (sacrificial/biblical) love is unconditional, forgiving, willing to discipline, moves toward all people, gives generously, and tries to meet all needs. We look to 1 John 4 to discover how we as Christians can develop this love.

The Logic of Grace

Dennis McCallum

Deuteronomy 30:3-5

God's grace has three components: faith, hope, and love. This faith is dependent upon God's self-authentication through fulfilled prophecies like the regathering of Israel, and it is also personal in the sense that people choose individually to start a relationship with God. God also extends hope to people through the promise of eternal life in heaven, and this hope provides Christians with joy in this life. Finally, love is the motivation for sharing God's grace with people who do not know Him and serving others in the church. These three components provide a firm foundation for the Christian life and reasons to learn more about Christ for those who are investigating the Christian faith.

Authentic Christian Community (Part 3) Spiritual Gifts

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Paul speaks to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, explaining that they are to be used to serve others. We are to live inter-dependent lives with other believers, and learn to love them sacrificially. Each of us has a role to play, and spiritual gifts are just one way God wants to use us to support the body.

Wisdom and Friendship

Scott Risley

Proverbs 20:5

Choosing and cultivating friendships is a prominent theme in the book of Proverbs. Throughout Proverbs, there are warnings against befriending the fool. In contrast, it also highlights qualities of godly friendships, among those being loyalty, transparency, patience and generosity. The foundation of a good friendship is the fear of the Lord, receiving and giving His sacrificial love.

Authentic Christian Community (Part 2)

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Paul calls the Corinthians to come to their meetings ready to serve others in love. Those attending the home churches in Corinth were stuck in a selfish mindset, choosing to not welcome others or share with them. The result was that their worship of God was empty, since no actions backed their words. Paul rebukes their selfishness, and reveals to the Corinthians that God has been disciplining them with the goal that they'll repent and choose to love.