In the video below (4 min. ), John Piper talks about the importance of Christian friendship, showing that that mentality?I don’t need friends, do I, Jesus? It’s not biblical.
“Did Jesus ever claim that enjoying his presence was a substitute for the pleasure of friends?Aren’t Christ dead to create isolated worshippers?Here’s one who likes it and there’s another. He died to create friendships that exalt Christ, that is. , died to create the Church.
- Jesus never intended him to enjoy his presence as a substitute for enjoying the presence of Christian friends.
- Understood? Jesus never wanted our enjoyment of his presence to be a substitute for appreciation for the presence of Christian friends.
I’ll put it another way. When Christ died so that we could enjoy it supremely, did He not overdo and overdo the enjoyment of Christian friendship?He created it when he died. Christ has always wanted your relationship with him to be the pulse of your friendship with others; Christ’s presence would be the central joy of Christian friendship; and the joy of Christian friendship would magnify the dignity of Christ, because he is the treasure that friends have. in common, this is how He wants it to be.
Now, where do I see this in this text? See verse 17 [of 2 Timothy 4]. Although they all abandoned Paul, he said, “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength. “So I have a friend! You know, everyone who’s abandoned me, I have a friend!?That’s certainly not what you’re saying.
“But was the Lord by my side and gave me strength?If that was all we had, you could say, “See?Jesus came, Jesus always comes! And if Jesus comes, let these imperfect and limited friends go. Who cares?
What does Paul say? Verse 9: “Are you trying to come to me quickly?”Timothy, verse 21: “Hurry to come [if you didn’t pay attention the first time], hurry before winter. “”I want Timothy’s presence!? Jesus, being next to Paul, did not replace Paul’s desire for Timothy. It forms, fills, shapes, enriches and deepens friendship, but does not replace it.
Paul has spoken this way so many times, to the Romans: Why do I want to see you so much?[Rom 1:11] ,?Do you want to visit? [Rom. 15:23]. To the Philippians: “My brothers, loved and mourned, my joy and my crown?[Fil 4: 1]. To the Thessalonikis: “So, wanting so much, we were ready to offer you not only the gospel of God, but also life itself; Why did you become so loved by us?[1 Tes. 2: 8].
So even though simple human beings are fickle, fallen, finite, and fallible friends, and Jesus never fails (never, never!), Paul appreciated and longed for these imperfect friendships.
Did Jesus ever say that enjoying his presence was a substitute for the pleasure of friends?Christian friends, didn’t Christ die to create isolated worshippers?He died to create friendships that exalt Christ, that is, he died to create the Church.
By John Piper © 2012 Desiring God Foundation. Used with permission. Website in Portuguese: www. satisfacaoemdeus. org Original: Christ died to give us friendships exalting Christ Extract from preaching: He remained close to me and strengthened me for the gospel
Translation: Vin-cius Musselman Pimentel? Faithful Editor © All Rights Reserved