Simple Things

Good Morning!

Driving home last night I began to reflect on my Sunday morning experience. I attended a traditional church – and a traditional Sunday school for the first time in a number of years. The church is one of many that are struggling with attendance due primarily to its location. I have been at this church a number of times … but as I was thinking about it, I began to realize something – while the people are “friendly”, none has really asked me to be a friend.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I believe the majority of people who receive Christ after the age of fifteen or so do so because a friend shares Christ with them. Bible preaching, for all of its benefits, just isn’t quite as effective as a friend sharing Christ. When you think about it, the preacher can be pretty intimidating … some can be down right overbearing. But a friend is someone in whom a certain amount of trust has been developed. And that trust allows the nonbeliever an opportunity to listen to the Gospel.

There are some simple steps that a church can do that will encourage the development of friendship. A very simple step is to introduce oneself. When I got to Sunday school last Sunday, I knew I was going to the older men’s class – I fit that category now – but I didn’t really know the teacher’s name. The teacher had invited me to attend his class the preceding Sunday evening … but he never told me his name. So for a few minutes, I was perplexed. I asked a person at the door – and he didn’t know the name of the teacher. Later, we were all in the same class.

Now I don’t want to be a complainer. I just think that telling someone who you are is the first step to gaining a friend. And that friendship can lead to some very good things.

Jesus taught His disciples about God’s love using the value of a friend. Here’s the passage for consideration:


Luke 11:1-13 (English Standard Version)
The Lord’s Prayer
1Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 2And he said to them, "When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread,[b] 4and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation."

5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, 6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence[c] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11What father among you, if his son asks for[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Footnotes:
a. Luke 11:1 Greek he
b. Luke 11:3 Or our bread for tomorrow
c. Luke 11:8 Or persistence
d. Luke 11:11 Some manuscripts insert bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for


God wants to give us the best things in life. He wants to give these things to everyone … but many have not yet come to know Him. We can play an integral part by doing a simple thing … being a friend.

Have a great weekend.

Agape’

Mr. Jim