Godly friendships can change the world.

Take a look around at the people sitting near you. We all know you’re capable of different things but what do you think the people sitting near to you are capable of?

Do you think this group could change the world?

Story | We Dine Together

Maybe it’s hard to imagine the world being changed by people in this room, but I’m guessing some of these kids once thought the exact same thing…

The phrase "changing the world" seems really big, doesn't it? Sometimes, when we hear about needs that are so big and problems that are so deep . . .

our lives seem too complicated to make a difference.

our contributions feel too small.

our dreams sound too idealistic.

But then we hear stories like the story of these teenagers, and we think, "Maybe changing the world is simpler than we think."

SO WHAT?

Would you be more likely to try and change the world on your own or with a team? Why?

If you could change the world in just one way, how would you change it?

Why?If you could change the world in just one way, how would you change it?What would you try to change if you knew you had a whole team behind you?

What would you try to change if you knew you had a whole team behind you?

Jesus knows a thing or two about having His heart broken. Jesus came to earth to change it by making right all of the wrongs that were breaking His heart.

Luke 4:14–21 ESV

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus' heart was broken by the distance between us and God, so He took the consequences that we deserved so that we could know and be with Him. But that's not all.

Luke 4:14–21 ESV

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus came to set people free spiritually, yes, but in a bunch of other ways too. Jesus came to change the world.

While He was on earth, Jesus did all of the things the prophesies said He'd do. But when He left earth thousands of years ago, He wasn't done. Jesus didn't come so far, go through so much, and defeat sin and death just to make a few wrongs right during the short time He was physically on earth. His plan is much bigger than that, and it involves us.

While He was on earth, Jesus did all of the things the prophesies said He'd do. But when He left earth thousands of years ago, He wasn't done. Jesus didn't come so far, go through so much, and defeat sin and death just to make a few wrongs right during the short time He was physically on earth. His plan is much bigger than that, and it involves us.Through Jesus, we can be united not only with God in heaven, but also with God's purpose on earth. Our purpose is to join Jesus on His mission to make wrong things right in the world. In Jesus, we're called and empowered to change the world together.After Jesus returned from the dead, He sent His friends to carry His message of hope all over the world. Jesus says His Spirit will go with them, and that they should share the good news with everyone they meet.But Jesus' followers did more than just share the good news. They shared everything! Let's take another look at the passage we began to look at last week.

Through Jesus, we can be united not only with God in heaven, but also with God's purpose on earth.

Our purpose is to join Jesus on His mission to make wrong things right in the world. In Jesus, we're called and empowered to change the world together.

After Jesus returned from the dead, He sent His friends to carry His message of hope all over the world. Jesus says His Spirit will go with them, and that they should share the good news with everyone they meet.

But Jesus' followers did more than just share the good news. They shared everything!

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

After Jesus left earth, and left His friends with a mission, the friends He left behind came together to be lifelines for each other as they changed the world in Jesus' name.

Their love for each other changed them, changed the world, and gave the whole world an example of the world-changing power of a godly community.

This community of Jesus-followers and friends didn't look at the world, get overwhelmed with the enormity of their job, give up, and call it a day. Instead, they looked at their friendships and asked, "What's one wrong we can right together today?"

The early church showed us that friendship can be a powerful force. They all stuck together, and none of them had any needs. That's world-changing, isn't it?

Doing things together matters because God designed our potential to multiply when we join each other around God's purpose. Together, through Jesus, we do have the power to change the world — in big ways, as well as in small ways that make a big difference.

For the last few weeks, we've been talking about what can happen when you have godly friendships — friendships that imitate Jesus.

With godly friendships, we said you'll have a chance to be real, have a chance to grow, and have a group that won't leave you all alone.

As we wrap up this series this week, there's one more thing I wanted to share with you.Just like Jesus changed the world and continues to change it, Jesus invites us to participate together.

Godly friendships can change the world.

Now What?

The friends who followed Jesus did so much more than just fix a problem here or there. They created a new way of living that prioritized the needs of others.

They shared everything.

They got creative.

They got together regularly.

They ate meals together.

They thanked God together.

They gave Jesus credit.

When you think of what the early friends of Jesus did to change the world, it doesn't seem that overwhelming, does it?

What's something you could share that would help someone else?

What's a need that we could work together to meet?

What's one consistent place you can show up for your friends weekly?

Is there a meal could you share with your friends regularly?

How can you make it a habit to say thanks for what God has done?

Reflection | Which broken things break your heart?

If godly friendships can change the world, then what do we do about all of the broken things that need fixing? How do we take our friendships to the world-changing level? We start by asking three questions.

What is broken around you?

Who else has noticed what you've noticed?

How can you work together to fix what's broken?

Finding out what kinds of things you can care about together is a good first step in meeting the needs of others. The next step is to do something.

You don't always have to solve the problem to make it right. Sometimes it's enough to make a need public or raise awareness so others can learn about what's wrong.

When it comes to changing the world, we don't all have the same role. That's why it's so important that we work together on the mission Jesus gave us.

In the past month, we've discovered that friendship can be a powerful lifeline for you when you need it.

We also discovered that friendship is a chance for you to be a lifeline for someone else. But isn't it amazing that godly friendships can be a lifeline for the whole world?

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians

What has Jesus done for us?

What would it look like for us to imitate God by giving ourselves up for others?