Jesus-Making friends with the irreputable
Jesus- Making friends with the irreputable.
January 20, 2019
Sermon Notes
Review for how Jesus modeled choosing friends that build:
- Don’t go it alone.
- Choose a friend with shared vision and purpose—which means you know them.
- Choose a friend who is all in for Jesus.
Jesus’ irreputable friends.Luke 5:27-31
- The tax collector. HBD
- A person who was under contract with the Roman government to collect taxes.
- They would bid to get such jobs.
- They would then collect the taxes plus additional extorted funds.
- Resented by the citizens, especially if they were Jews doing this to their own, for their “excessive profits”.
- The sinner. HBD
- In this context, most likely referring to those who were gentiles.
- Can also be referring to those who did not practice the law as a Pharisee would.
- In other contexts, it is referring to all of humanity as having sinned. Romans 5:8
Jesus invites Levi into his core group.
- Jesus walks by and says “follow me”which was the same invitation offered to the fishermen. (27)
- Levi responds just like the fisherman and “left everything”—all in! (28)
- Levi invites his oikos to hear Jesus. (29)
The risk of having irreputable friends.(30)
- Your reputation can take a hit.
- Motives can be questioned.
- Accusations that you are becoming like them.
1 Corinthians 15:33“33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[
Proverbs 13:20“20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 28:7“7 A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.”
Proverbs 29:3“3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”
Proverbs 18:24“24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 14:7“7 Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
Proverbs 12:26“26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Jesus’ strategy to befriend the irreputable.
- He saw their need.
- The irreputable need Jesus too. (31)
- His motives and mission were in line with God.
- His motive in being with them was to guide them to a life like his, not to become like them. (32)
- God’s mission for Jesus was to save all mankind—not based on their reputation or worthiness.
- He operated from a position of strength and not from weakness.
- He was strong because of the company he kept—"80/20 principle”.
- He spent approximately 80% of his time with those who were pursuing God with him.
- This gave him and his disciples strength to be influencers approximately 20% of the time among those who were of poor reputation.
Take Aways
- Your core friends in your oikos needs to be all in with Jesus.
- To maintain being the influencer you have to be in a position of strength.
- Relationships with the irreputable in your oikos must be intentional. Intentionally directed by the Holy Spirit lest you become the influenced.
Series Information
![](https://cdn.monkplatform.com/image/czoyMjc6Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGNjYzZTM4ZTZiYWU5YjA0OTE1YjYtY2Q4Mjg1OGUzMmZkZTAzMjE1MGNlODYzMzY0MzgyMTMuc3NsLmNmMi5yYWNrY2RuLmNvbSUyRnVwbG9hZGVkJTJGaiUyRjBlODIyNTM1OF8xNTQ2ODgyNTA3X2plc3VzLTItY3VycmVudC1wcHQuanBnJTNGcSUzRDkwJTI2dyUzRDc4MCUyNmglM0QwJTI2Zml0JTNEbWF4JTI2cyUzRDFhZDY5ZjhhMjQ3ODY0ZTM5NGQzNDczMjdkZGY4NTIwIjs=/jesus-2-current-ppt.jpg)
Life gives us so many unexpected challenges. This series is taking a look at Jesus' life and taking notes for how to live and navigate life as he has best designed!