January 9, 2005

Christian Friendship—
Strengthening One Another

Galatians 6:1-18 (Scripture Background)

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (NIV).

One of the definitions I have heard for “strength” stemmed from a word that means “twisted together.” It should be a comfort to us that God wants to twist himself together with us, helping to bear our life’s loads. As he comes into our lives and creates strength, he then expects us to come alongside others when they are at their lowest times to support them.

Over twenty years ago Chuck Swindoll wrote about an old Marine buddy that he encountered unexpectedly. The friend told him that he had become a Christian several years after being discharged from the Marines. Swindoll said that it was a pleasant surprise because when they were in the Corps together the man was obnoxiously loud, drank heavily, instigated fights, chased women, and hated chapel service. He and God simply were not on speaking terms.

As they talked about his faith in the Lord and how happy he was with Jesus he revealed that something was lacking. The marine stated that the only thing he missed about his pre-Christian life was, “that old fellowship all the guys in our outfit used to have down at the slop shoot (Greek for tavern on base).” He went on to say, “Man, we’d sit around, laugh, tell stories, drink a few beers, and really let our hair down. It was great. I just haven’t found anything to take the place of that great time we used to enjoy. I ain’t got nobody to admit my faults to…to hav’em put their arms around me and tell me I’m still ok.”

Swindoll says that many people see their neighborhood bar as the fellowship they need. He quotes Bruce Larsen as calling the bar, “the best counterfeit there is to the fellowship Christ wants to give His church.” His writing went on to convey that people in bars are people who are inclusive, unshockable, and people who you can tell a secret to and believe it is safe to tell. People go to bars and make them flourish not because they are alcoholics, but because they want to be heard. Larsen cries out, “With all my heart I believe that Christ wants His church to be…a fellowship where people can come in and say, ‘I’m sunk!’ I’ve had it!’” Help! And with their church friends they find a listening ear instead of a judgment.

Paul expressed the need for Christian friendship as he penned the text for today. Prison, torture, chains, hatred, hardship, and questioning all occupied Paul’s being at certain times in his life. Thank God, not only did Paul have the trinity in those prison- like moments to strengthen him, but he also had flesh-and-blood people like Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Mark, and Luke to love him.

I. STRENGTHENING A FRIEND THROUGH A FALL.

Moral failures not only rob people of their relationship with God, but also with one another. As a pastor I have known more than my share of parishioners who have tumbled from grace. All too often counseling sessions would become accusation sessions as those charges would fly rapidly through the air. The tension could be cut with a knife as a spouse would spit venom of disappointment at the other for an adulterous affair. Coupled with an affair would be the lies that would accompany it told by the spouse to shield their misconduct. The mistrust, lies, affair and hurt devastated not only a spouse, but the children and the other adulterous partner’s spouse and family.

How does the church deal with a brother or sister overcome by this sin and those like it? Paul answers the question: with gentleness. Our goal must be to bring them back into fellowship with God, their family and the fellowship of other believers. Firmness should not be equated with harshness in matters of moral failure. Gentleness includes pouring in agape love for the person. Kindness needs to be cultivated in applying Christian love to the hearts and lives of those who have fallen from relationships. In the heat of the emotional circumstances, cool heads and loving hearts must come to the forefront to help restore a broken trust and relationship. If correction is necessary, it must stem from an atmosphere of healing, rather than punishment. It is not easy, but we must remember that restoration is our goal. Whether a person accepts that goal is ultimately their decision, but in the midst of crisis and emotions the church is still the fellowship of friendship.

II. STRENGTHENING A FRIEND IN DIFFICULTY.

In some corners of the country church people refer to each other as “Brother” or “Sister” instead of “Mr.” or “Mrs.” The implication is that there is a sense of fellowship, especially when one is going through a crisis.

Two young brothers were crossing a frozen lake to get to where their father was fishing while their mother anxiously looked out the window observing every move. After a few moments she watched as the ice cracked and a foot gap opened under the boys. Momentarily another cracking of the ice and the gap widened. The mother’s heart skipped a beat as she thought about the consequences if it continued to tear apart. She knew that the oldest boy could make it over, but the youngest would try to make it and fall into the icy waters. As she agonized with fear she saw the oldest get down on the ice, his feet on one side of the crack and his hands on the other, like a bridge, to let his little brother creep over him to the other side and safety.

Let me get specific for a moment. Many of our brothers and sisters are on the treacherous ice of life. Many of them are in need of a bridge over troubled waters. When the bottom drops out or they are facing scandalous issues or at the very least embarrassing problems, where do they turn? Who do the hurting turn to? The church? You?

Issues like:

*Discovering their youngest daughter is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is.

*Their life-long mate is suing for divorce because he/she has found someone “better”.

*The job has ended.

*Their son/daughter is in jail for shoplifting.

*The finances have come unraveled and bills cannot be paid.

*Their alcoholic father yells and curses their friends.

*Illness has robbed them of their dignity and self worth.

May we bridge some burdens, dangerous difficulties, and shaky ground to be there for our brothers and sisters who belong to the Father. Be somebody’s Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Mark or Luke.

III. STRENGTHENING A FRIEND THROUGH SHARING.

Paul talks about sharing what we have to those who are our instructors in life (v. 6). We immediately think of a congregation sharing financially and materially with their pastor, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. I believe that this is the crux of this text. Paul pondered the point that the Christian church needed teachers and preachers who would live and minister in the local community and could be trusted. He wanted teachers and preachers who could stay focused on the task and give the amount of time needed to accomplish the goal. These people needed material and financial support.

But I believe that Paul is thinking of both paid and volunteers who needed support, not just materially, but support through prayer, verbal and emotional encouragement, and compassionate actions. The ministry of friendship ought to be one that shares spiritual support, correction, guidance, healing, and restoration.

Several years ago a pastor gave an illustration about a group who was with eighty-five-year-old Albert Schweitzer in his jungle hospital at Lambarene. The equatorial sun beat down mercilessly. As they talked along the way, suddenly Dr. Schweitzer excused himself and left the group. He crossed the slope of a hill to a place where an African woman was struggling with carrying a huge load of wood up the hill. He graciously took some of the wood and walked alongside her. When he returned to the group, one in the party asked him why he did things that way, implying that at his age he should not. Schweitzer looked him in the eye, then pointed to the woman and simply said, “No one should ever have to carry a burden like that alone.”