"FRIENDS"
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What do you consider a friend to be?
What is a good friend?
What is a bad friend?
Proposition - Join me as we seek to uncover what the Bible says about friends. Tonight we will see three things; 1) Biblical friendship defined, 2) Examples of biblical friends, and 3) Benefits of biblical friends.
Interrogative question - What kind of friend are you?
1. Biblical Friendship Defined -
1. Biblical Friendship Defined -
Friendship is a multifaceted relationship that goes beyond mere acquaintance.
It is characterized by a deep oneness between two people who journey together, speaking truth in love.
True friendship involves mutual trust, loyalty, and a commitment to the other's well-being that grows through expression and experience.
Friends offer understanding, inspiration, and support in times of need.
They rejoice in each other's successes and empathize during hardships.
Friendship is not based on selfishness but on supporting the other person to such an extent that selfish desires are replaced by what is mutually beneficial and biblical.
It recognizes and accepts the otherness of the friend, seeking their completeness as an individual.
Real friendship goes beyond politeness to form a deep, lasting bond that is considered one of life's most valuable gifts.
Those whose commitment from the heart is shown in practical, sacrificial, care, love and service. They are to be a source of encouragement, sympathy, comfort and support in time of need. True friendship is to be cultivated, especially among believers.
2. Examples of biblical friends -
2. Examples of biblical friends -
David and Jonathan -
1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. 2 Saul took him that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
17 Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life.
42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ” Then he rose and departed, while Jonathan went into the city.
26 “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women.
Job’s friend’s -
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him.
Ruth and Naomi -
16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”
Paul’s friends in ministry -
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; 5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
2 To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,
3. The benefits of biblical friends -
3. The benefits of biblical friends -
Biblical friends comfort and sympathize -
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. 13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Biblical friends support and encourage -
16 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. 17 Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
3 Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?
55 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.
11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Biblical friends show sacrificial service -
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
Biblical friends share joy and sorrow -
5 “When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Biblical friends show loving rebuke/correction -
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Biblical friends encourage in good works/progressive sanctification -
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Biblical friends Challenge each other -
17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
Biblical friends maintain unity in love and the fear of the Lord -
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.
1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Biblical friends worship together -
13 But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; 14 We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Biblical friends share possessions -
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
Biblical friends serve together -
8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
Biblical friends pray for each other -
10 The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.
11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Biblical friends live peaceably -
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Biblical friends forgive sins -
12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.
9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Biblical friends restore when wronged -
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
SO WHAT?
What kind of a friend are you?
As we close let me leave you with this -
19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Jesus Christ is the friend of sinners
