“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Luke 11:9-10

Dear HBIC Family,

This week I find myself focusing on friendship. What makes a good friend? How are we actively being good friends to one another? What does genuine friendship teach us about God? What does it teach us about each other? And what does it even teach us about ourselves? Undoubtedly, fruitful friendships are some of God’s greatest blessings to us. In that light, what is the role of friendship in the kingdom of God?

Jon was one of my best friends in Seminary. I admired his deep passion and commitment to Christ, his humble service to his family and church community, and how he understood God and worked to help the rest of us see God the same way. Over the course of our years in seminary together, we did something revolutionary…we broke bread together. We decided to be intentional in meeting together to fellowship, to catch up with one another, and to just share life together.

This simple commitment grew our friendship. We were able to move from acquaintances to friends and even brothers. This was such a blessing. An unforeseen blessing was the kingdom impact our friendship forged. We were both able to challenge each other to grow as leaders and kingdom workers. We were able to sharpen one another in philosophies, intellect, and understanding. We were also able to see God work through us in unique ways.

It became quite normal at our lunch meeting for people to come up, introduce themselves and ask for prayer. This happened time and time again from Middletown to Hershey, and just about everywhere in between, when we’d meet. It was humbling, especially because our conversations weren’t always the most theologically focused. But the lesson we learned and kept learning was simply this: a friendship founded in Christ and committed to growing in the faith reaps kingdom rewards.

This week we are going to continue our sermon series on the Parables of Jesus. So far, we have learned about the kingdom being small and growing big, going from obscure to glory while being a home for all the world. We have also learned that forgiveness and faithfulness are both core tenets of the kingdom. This week, we will learn about friendship and the crucial role it plays in the kingdom.

Our story this week will be the Parable of the Friend at Night in Luke 11. To prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and reflect on Luke 11:5-10. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:

What makes a good friend?

How are you being a good friend to others?

What does genuine friendship teach us about God, each other, and ourselves?

How does friendship advance the kingdom of God?

As February begins, we celebrate together Black History Month and African-American achievement. I’m reminded of the great friendships that helped the advancement of all peoples in the ministry and work of so many African-Americans who have come before. Ella Baker (consensus-making background worker) and Fannie Lou Hamer (pioneer and frontline grassroots worker) showed that leadership could be different but effective. Though often depicted as rivals, Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X forged a common ground that was based on mutual respect and genuine friendship. And Ida B. Wells used her heartbreak and grief over the unjust murders of three close friends (including Thomas Henry Moss) to teach the world about the evils of lynching in the American South.

Sisters and brothers, our friendships may not shake the world, but they do have the power to change it. First, they can change and inspire us. Second, they can motivate and bring light all around us. And third, when submitted fully to God, our friendships can help make “on earth as it is in heaven” possible. I pray that that we are all remaining committed to deep friendships that grow us, inspire us, and leave room for God to move in and through us.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank (Luke 11:9-10)