In 2022 we are “Walking together on the journey with Christ to be transformed into his image.”
Part of the main focus of our theme this year is that the walk with Christ is walked together. While a walk with Jesus should always be personal, it is never individual. When Jesus invites followers to follow him, he invites them into a community of believers. Christianity has often become a privatized belief for the salvation of the individual. This view of Christianity does not hold up against the witness of scripture calling God’s people to come together as a diverse community of believers to stand as light together in a dark world.
Part of the DNA since the founding of NoDa Church is that we would only meet together as a congregation on Sunday mornings with the expectation that our members would get together during the week. The emphasis here is that relationships together in smaller more intimate settings is at the core of who we want to be as a church. We are a small church, but we desire to get smaller. These smaller gatherings cultivate depth of spiritual relationships. As the author of Hebrews writes in chapter 10:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.
This short passage out of Hebrews displays our “Steps” for the year and how they all connect together. Step toward God – “Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…” Step toward one another – “Spur one another on…not giving up meeting together…encourage one another…” Step toward the world – “spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”
When we walk together with Christ, we move toward God together to then move toward the world. Naturally, you will grow closer together as you focus more on the mission God has called us to as a Church. When churches do not have deep relationships and lose sight of their mission, they easily splinter and divide because each individual thinks that the church is about meeting their needs rather than equipping them for mission. Relationships take work and require getting out of our comforts to more toward mission.
This Sunday, we are going to look at the necessity of Spiritual Friendships. Paul’s life demonstrates the necessity of having Spiritual Friendships. Barnabas stepped toward Paul when no one else would in Acts 9:19-31 and then sought him out to join him in his Kingdom work in Antioch in Acts 11:19-30. Throughout Paul’s ministry you see him list countless numbers of companions, co-ministers, and partners in the gospel. Everywhere he goes he cultivates Spiritual Friendships and with his churches he invites them to “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ…” (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil 3:17). Barnabas did this for Paul and Paul in turn did this for others.
Spiritual Friendships are mutually beneficial. While Paul invited others to follow his example, he was encouraged by the examples of those who walk with him. These relationships are essential for helping us come into a Christ-like transformation. The eye of a friend is a good mirror to examine yourself. They will help you see where you fall short but also help you see yourself as God sees you. These Spiritual Friendships take time and investment.
Who in your life (other than your spouse) encourages you to be more like Christ?
Who in your life (other than your spouse) do you encourage in their walk with Christ?
What step will you take this year toward cultivating these relationships?