The Value of Friendship

Who are your friends?

1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Your friends impact your joy

How you act as a friend impacts the joy of others

Do you have good friends?

Are you a good friend?

How does Paul define a friend?

Philippians 2:19–24 NIV

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

A Good Friend:

shares your values

unselfish

faithful

trustworthy

How is Paul a good friend?

Philippians 2:25–30 NIV

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

As a friend:

complimentary

selfless honor

elevates status

The Gospel is enough to build lasting friendships

Why do I need friends?

Proverbs 17:17 NIV

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Do you picture Jesus as a friend?

John 15:14–15 NIV

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Do you have good friends?

Are you a good friend?