FRIENDSHIP UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS
ON THE MISSION OF JESUS

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What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. — 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)

 

We have to start this with a very honest, sobering sentence that we all need to acknowledge before we get into this. 

 

Most people’s expectations for church was handed to them not by the Bible, but by our culture and/or the last church they attended. 

 

So the real question is not,  “How does our culture understand Church?” or “How did the last church I went to do it?”  

The real question is “What does the Bible actually say about being a part of God’s Family?”

 

And if you are willing to honestly answer that from the bible, you realize becoming a part of God’s Church is likened to: 

 

• Being born again into a new family (John 3:3, Matt 12:50) 

• Belonging to others  (Rom 12:5) 

• Becoming a part of Jesus Body  (1 Cor 12:27) 

• Being willing to suffer for others (Gal 6:2) 

• Considering others as more important than you and building others up  ( Phil 2:3, 1 Cor 14:26) 

 

In other words, it’s kinda a big deal. It’s a life transforming commitment and it has a cost. 

 

God intends to use your commitment to love others to transform your character into someone who looks more like Jesus! 

 

High commitment = high transformation 

Low commitment = low transformation 

 

The thing is, most people today pick a church kinda like they pick where they want to eat lunch.

In other words they have a very low, consumeristic commitment to be in Christ centered relationships. 

 

The way people talk about ‘church’ reveals a consumeristic approach. 

We want to be super clear- the church is not a consumer product- because the bible says, if you are christian:  YOU are the church. 

 

The questions most Christians in the bible-belt-south ask about church reveals a consumeristic approach, I.E : 

 

Does it have programs that serve me and my family?

Do I like the music?

Do I find the speaker entertaining?  

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The common, cultural approach is a far cry from the biblical understanding of the church; It’s an impoverished and unbiblical perspective and promotes a view in which ‘professionals’ do the work of ministry while everyone else spectates. 

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Instead, an authentic follower of Jesus asks questions like these:

Are there opportunities for me to serve others and their families? 

Does God like our worship?’

Do I have ears that hear Gods voice no matter who is speaking?​

 

So we think it’s super important that you understand, if you consider yourself a christian, God has very clear expectations for how he longs for you to relate to other christians. To be ‘a part’ is to commit to a way of relating to others in community. 

 

The list below reflects the basic ‘one another’ commands of the New Testament that any follower of Jesus will be committed to. When any Christian steps into Christian community- they are committing to these things. It’s important to understand Gods Vision for his people. 

Below is what friendship looks like when it is under the Lordship of Jesus. These commitments are meant to help us move beyond just attending a ‘church service’ and invites us, instead, into experiencing life, serving, mission and even suffering - together.

 

Riverstone Vineyard members commitment. 

 

Are you committed to: 

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• Honesty: to speak the truth in love. 

    …we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. - Ephesians 4:15 

 

• Mercy/Forgiveness: to Forgive others when you are wronged. 

    but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:15 

 

• Humility: to Admit weaknesses.

    If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all         unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:8-9 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3 ESV

 

• Courtesy: to Respect differences. In essentials we have unity- In nonessentials we have liberty - In all things we show charity 

 

• Confidentiality: to not gossip or slander others. 

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. - Proverbs 16:28 

 

• Frequency/Priority: to make friendship and meeting together a priority.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

 

• Hospitality : to encourage and support each other with our God given giftings. 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

 

In short, being a part of Christian community means we commit to: 

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• Share Together: Display Gospel generosity with our life to bless others. 

• Study Together: Look at God's Word as the defining authority on what it means to know God. 

• Obey Together:  Live out our faith with authenticity. 

• Serve Together: Get on God’s mission in your context with your gifting and passions. 

• Suffer Together: Be vulnerable with our own struggles and willing to bear the burdens of others. 

 

Why commitment Matters 

 

• You become what you commit to. Your priorities and commitments will guide your life. 

• Commitment moves away from self-centeredness to inter-dependence.

• When we commit to one another in the ways listed above- we experience Christianity as a lifestyle not simply a cultural norm or intellectual theory or philosophy

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Lastly, the expression of these commitments are actualized by committing to friends, under the lordship of Jesus who are on the mission of Jesus- what we call micro-church.  

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