Jesus- Making friends with the irreputable.

January 20, 2019
Sermon Notes 

Review for how Jesus modeled choosing friends that build:

1. Don’t go it alone.
2. Choose a friend with shared vision and purpose—which means you know them.
3. 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

1. Your core friends in your oikos needs to be all in with Jesus.
2. To maintain being the influencer you have to be in a position of strength.
3. Relationships with the irreputable in your oikos must be intentional. Intentionally directed by the Holy Spirit lest you become the influenced.