When Community Church services were cancelled due to the weather on Sunday, Pastor Troy Murphy gave a Facebook Live mini-message on Sunday morning.
Troy examined the story in Mark 2 about the four men who dug a hole in the roof so their paralyzed friend could see Jesus, who was surrounded by a crowd of people. Here are some key points:
*Part of the reason we don’t have deep friendships is we’re afraid to extend ourselves and take risks. Who are those people in your life that you could call when you’re stuck in a ditch, when things are going badly in your marriage, or when life isn’t going that well? The paralyzed man in the gospel of Mark had four friends who were willing to go to unusual lengths to help him. These four friends were willing to risk embarrassment and comfort to help.
*Relationships don’t exist to fix our problems. If we believe that, we are setting ourselves up for failure. What relationships do is provide us with companions who can come alongside us in the midst of our brokenness and struggles and loneliness.
*Troy cited the example of Dan Simons, an elder at GBCC who a few years ago was battling cancer. Dan would get together with friends that he called his “oatmeal group.” They were people who had also battled cancer. None of the friends could cure or “fix” the cancer, but they got together and sat alongside Dan every week and offered encouragement and companionship. Part of friendships and relationships is just being present.
*Friendships also exist to find openings to place us before Jesus. The four men in the story in Mark found a way to bring their paralyzed friend to the feet of Jesus. Friends point us to the one that can help sustain us in times of trouble and strife. Jesus gives us peace in the face of adversity, and having friends who point us to Him is a gift.
*In the words of Kelly Flanagan in his book Loveable, we are to wade knee deep into the glorious catastrophe of two souls being pledged in friendship. Many of us will have storms in our lives and we need people who will enter into the glorious catastrophe of our life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Who are the four friends (or three or two or one) that you can call in the middle of the night when you are facing a serious problem? What makes them special?
Who would consider you a true friend and be willing call you in the middle of the night?
What are some ways you can cultivate deeper friendships?
Action point: Call a friend and tell them how much you appreciate them.
