Luke 5:17-18, 24-25 (NKJV) Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him…But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
We all need friends in life to journey with us in good and bad times. A friend in need is a friend indeed. This is especially true when we live in a foreign land away from our families. It means so much for us to have a support group from the family of believers, especially among cell group members whom we trust and love.
John 13:35 (NJKV) “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”
What will set us apart from the world is our genuine love for one another. Jesus said the world would know that we are His disciples if we love one another, which means showing love through our words backed up by corresponding actions. It can be inconvenient to love other people because we must go the extra mile in terms of time and energy. As a result, many relationships among church members are kept at superficial levels, because some are uncomfortable sharing their struggles and pain with others as they haven’t come to a stage of being vulnerable, while others would like to mind their own business. However, the struggles we go through can burden us so much that they become unbearable. Therefore, besides casting our cares to the Lord and drawing strength from Him, we need people to journey with us.
The paralysed man showed faith in God by agreeing to be carried down the roof to be ministered to by Jesus, while the four friends showed exceptional character and faith in God, and love for their friend through their willingness to go through the trouble of carrying him to Jesus. The five of them were united in faith and friendship. When Jesus saw that, he showed His approval by saving the paralysed man.
Deep friendship is built on love and backed up by words and actions. Let’s build friendships in Christ, be willing to go the extra mile, and be a blessing to friends, so that we can sustain one another on the journey of challenges and tests.
Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign 2023 (Part 3)
深厚的友谊能支撑我们
路加福音 5：17-18，24-25 有一天耶稣教训人，有法利赛人和教法师在旁边坐着，他们是从加利利各乡村和犹太并耶路撒冷来的。主能力与耶稣同在，使他能医治病人。有人用褥子抬着一个瘫子，要抬进去放在耶稣面前。。。。但要叫你们知道人子在地上有赦罪的权柄。”就对瘫子说：”我吩咐你起来，拿你的褥子回家去吧！”那人当众人面前立刻起来，拿起他所躺卧的褥子回家去，归荣耀与神。
我们在生活中都需要朋友中与我们同行, 无论顺境还是逆境。患难见真情。当我们远离家人生活在异国他乡时，这一点尤其重要。有来自主内大家庭的支持对我们来说意义重大，尤其是来自我们所信任和所爱的细胞小组组员。
约翰福音13:35 你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们是我的门徒了。
使我们与世界不同的是我们对彼此真诚的爱。耶稣说，我们若有彼此相爱的心，世人就因此认出我们是祂的门徒了，也就是通过我们的言语和相应的行动来表达爱。爱人可能会带来不便，因为我们需要付出额外的时间和精力。因此，教会成员之间的许多关系都停留在表面上，因为有些人不愿意与他人分享自己的挣扎和痛苦，因为他们认为还不能显露自己的脆弱，而有些人则只想管好自己的事情。然而，我们所经历的挣扎会给我们带来巨大的负担，使我们无法忍受。因此，除了将我们的忧虑卸给主，从祂那里支取力量外，我们还需要有人与我们同行。
这个瘫子同意从屋顶被缒f下去让耶稣医治，这表明了他对上帝的信心，而四位朋友则表现出了非凡的品格和对上帝的信心，也表现出了他们对朋友的爱，他们愿意不怕麻烦地将瘫子抬到耶稣面前。他们五人在信心和友谊上是团结一致的。当耶稣看见了，祂就医治了那个瘫子以示认可。
深厚的友谊是建立在爱的基础上，并用言语和行动来支撑。让我们在基督里建立友谊，愿意多走一步，成为朋友的祝福，这样我们就可以在这充满挑战和考验的旅程中相互支持。
Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign 2023 (Part 3)
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