A Real Friend

Text: Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 17:17 KJV (WS)

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

INTRODUCTION: A friend is one who knows all about us and still loves us; a friend is the person who comes in when every other person has gone out.

1. WORLDLY FRIENDSHIP

1. “The poor is hated … the rich hath many friends.

Proverbs 14:20 KJV (WS)

The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.

1. The prodigal son had many friends, when he had money.

2. A good “mixer” has many friends.

3. Those who share “common ground” have many friends.

2. Paul’s experience: “No man stood with me.

2 Timothy 4:16 KJV (WS)

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

1. The world will love its own.

2. GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR FRIENDSHIP

1. “A man that bath friends must show himself friendly.”

Proverbs 18:24 KJV (WS)

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

1. We need not wait for others to show friendliness.

2. If we are good neighbors; we will usually have good neighbors.

2. The good Samaritan showed friendliness to his feuding neighbor.

1. Keep your friendships in constant repair.

3. HOW TO BE A FRIEND OF GOD.

1. Refuse to be a friend of the world—(sinful world)

James 4:4 KJV (WS)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

2. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

John 15:14 KJV (WS)

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1. He commands the sinner to repent. (Acts 2:38).

2. He commands us to take up our cross and follow Him. (Matt. 16:24).

3. He commands us to be filled with the Spirit. (Eph. 5:18).

3. Abraham believed and obeyed God … and was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)

4. JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO ALL

1. Jesus was a friend of sinners (Matt. 11:19)

2. “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for His friends.” (John 15:13).

3. Jesus is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24).