Acts 2:42:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship (spiritual friendship), to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
The persons who devoted themselves were the people who trusted the gospel message that the Spirit Filled Simon Peter preached and they were baptized by the Holy Spirit and then in water.
I want to focus on that one word that is translated “fellowship”. The Greek word is “koinonia” and it means, fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, interaction, friendship. Spiritual friendship would be a really good translation for modern readers. It is an important word for the Church to grasp and apply. Today’s Church will be more effective and more pleasing to the LORD if we, like that early church, devote ourselves to Spiritual Friendships.
Tim Keller gives four principles for Spiritual friendship. They are needed, they are discovered, they are made, and they are forever.
I. Spiritual friendship is needed!!
- God created humans for spiritual relationships. In Genesis 1 we discover that everything that God created was good. But notice in Genesis 2:18 before the fall of man, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” God created Adam to share a spiritual friendship with him. God created Eve and gave her to Adam so they might have spiritual friendship with each other.
- The choice to sin against God did cause alienation between man and God, and separation between humans.
- Sin did not change the need for spiritual friendships. Notice Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his friend: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Without a friend, life is lonely. Without a friend, life is not as comfortable. Without a friend, life is more dangerous. Without a friend, life is less productive. Two are better than one. Life’s greatest blessings are lost if you don’t have a friend. Spiritual friendships are even better.
- Some people don’t want friends but that doesn’t change the need. The more you desire to have spiritual friendship the more you will be like Jesus. Read the gospels and you discover Jesus had spiritual friends on purpose.
II. Spiritual friendships are discovered.
- God puts people into our lives providentially. According to Galatians 4:4 Jesus came to this world in the fullness of time. The people that met Jesus were in the world at the right time, the right place and for a reason.
- The people who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost heard Simon Peter’s message. They were there by providence. Some trusted the message, some didn’t, but God had a reason for all of them to hear the message and have the opportunity to by faith in Christ, make a spiritual friendship.
- Philip was guided to the Ethiopian Eunuch to make a spiritual friendship.
- Peter was called to Cornelius’ house to make spiritual friendships.
- Paul was on the road to Damascus, traveled many miles on missionary trips, went to Rome and other places guided by the Spirit of God to have the possibility to make spiritual friendships. Not all the people these men met became spiritual friends but each of them had the God given opportunity to make a spiritual connection through faith in Christ.
- When you come into contact with new people never think it is by accident. They are potential spiritual friends that God enabled you to discover.
III. Spiritual friendships are not just discovered but they are made.
- We don’t always cooperate with God and make the most of the discoveries. Our part is to try to develop the spiritual friendships we need.
- The Believers in Acts devoted themselves to spiritual friendships with each other and with each new person added to the family of God day by day. That means they shared life with them.
- As you read Acts you will discover that believers share things. They share their treasures, their talents, their faith, their time, their homes, and their trials. Why? Because they were spiritual friends and they paid the price for being a friend. Sometimes that takes real effort. Jesus certainly paid a price to be a friend.
- When we pay the price to be a spiritual friend we are more like Jesus.
IV. Spiritual friendships are eternal.
- God is eternal.
- The eternal Christ came to give eternal life.
- A spiritual friend is a friend you share life with now, and forever.
Song: Friends by Michael W. Smith
“Friends are friends forever if the LORD’s the LORD of them.” Michael W. Smith
[Verse 1]
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can’t believe the hopes He’s granted
Means a chapter of your life is through
[Pre-Chorus]
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
[Chorus]
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
[Verse 2]
And with the faith and love God’s given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show
[Pre-Chorus]
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone (It won’t seem you’ve gone)
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Yeah, yeah
[Chorus]
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them (The lord-)
And a friend will not say never (It will never say-)
‘Cause the welcome will not end (Ooh)
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To live as friends
To live as friends