Iron Sharpens Iron: "Freedom Through Christian Fellowship"
- Matthew Linehan
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Before I came to Christ, I didn't know what "Freedom Through Fellowship" meant. I had a lot of “friends.” They drank, used drugs, cursed, womanized, and lived sinful lives—just like I did. We claimed to “love” each other, but in truth, we just loved how being around each other made us feel—accepted. We surrounded ourselves with people who would tell us our lifestyles were fine, even when we knew deep down, they weren’t. Those weren’t true friends. They were drinking and drugging buddies.
Today, I know what true friendship really means—love, commitment, honesty, sincerity, boundaries, and having each other’s best interests at heart. Real brothers don’t disappear when your path stops serving their agenda.
A Different Kind of Brotherhood
When a group of men from Lakewood Church came into the Houston Salvation Army to teach Quest for Authentic Manhood, while I was in a recovery program there in January of 2015, I immediately noticed something different about them.
They came in on Monday nights—after work, before family time—and stayed until almost 9:30 p.m. These weren’t men doing something for themselves. They were serving others. That kind of love and sacrifice hit me deeply.
What also stood out was their humility. They didn’t come in preaching or judging us. They simply shared what Jesus had done in their lives. That’s called servant leadership—leading by example, not instruction. I hadn’t seen that before. It was real, brotherly love, and it changed me.
These men didn’t tell me to volunteer. I wanted to volunteer because I wanted to be like them—to give back, to help other men the way I had been helped.
Why Fellowship Matters
Looking back, I realize one reason people go to bars is for the sense of belonging. It feels like family. You share laughs, stories, and struggles—even if the conversations aren’t healthy.
When I got sober and became a Christian, I still longed for that kind of connection—but now, it was a holy fellowship. Instead of revolving around alcohol or self, our conversations centered on Jesus—how to live for Him, how to grow in Him, and how to find strength through Him.
When we gather with godly men who live Christ-centered lives, we receive wise, biblical counsel that helps us face daily struggles. That’s something I never found in AA or with my old drinking buddies. Their advice came from the Big Book or their own opinions. But if advice doesn’t come from the Word of God, it’s just man’s opinion.
With the men from the Lakewood Men’s Ministry, when I had a question or struggle, the answers always came from Scripture—through programs like Maximized Manhood or Quest for Authentic Manhood. That’s what true, biblical brotherhood looks like.
Staying Connected
Over the past ten years, I’ve learned that staying connected with godly men is essential. I make time to have breakfast, lunch, or coffee with brothers in Christ. Sometimes we talk about faith, sometimes about family or work—but the foundation is always love, support, and understanding.
We don’t try to fix each other; we listen. Because often, what a brother really needs is someone who will simply listen.
A true friend isn’t afraid to tell you the hard truth when you’re not acting very godly. Anyone can flatter you—but correction given in love is what helps us grow. We have to humble ourselves, let down our guard, and be willing to listen. Pride has held too many of us back from becoming who God designed us to be.
Freedom Through Fellowship
At Men in Christ Global Ministries, we believe that Freedom Through Fellowship begins when we reach out to men who are lost and searching for truth—the truth that is found in Jesus Christ.
We show men who Jesus is through our words, our actions, and our love. That’s where true freedom begins.
If you’ve been longing for that kind of brotherhood—one built on faith, honesty, and love—join us.
🕊️ Weekly Online Fellowships:
Tuesday Nights (Taipei 8:00 PM / U.S. CST 6:00 AM Tuesday morning) – Prayer & Care Meeting
Thursday Nights (U.S. CST 8:00 PM / EST 9:00 PM which is 10:00 AM here in Taipei) - Iron Sharpens Iron Meeting
Come and discover what it means to experience “Freedom Through Fellowship”.
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