Making Friends as a Christian

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

I. THE PURPOSE OF FRIENDSHIP

A. Company— But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin....

7But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

As we follow Christ, we have fellowship with Him; but we also have fellowship with other Christians....

B. Conversation— How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.....

There must be unity in order to have friendship. Division destroys friendship.

1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! There must be unity in order to have friendship. Division destroys friendship.

II. THE PATTERN OF FRIENDSHIP

A. Confidence— Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.....

1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

9Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

You cannot have friends if you cannot be trusted. You must learn to keep secrets.

B. Conversation— A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

C. Control—If you cannot control yourself, you will have no friends.....

Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people.....

24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

D. Concern—Mephibosheth was a cripple. David gave him special attention since no one would be friendly with him.....

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

1One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

E. Christ-like--We should be willing to bear the burdens of others. Their problems and burdens are ours.....

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ"

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

F. Compassion— A friend will love regardless of whatever happens. This is real love and compassion. “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

III. THE PROBLEMS OF FRIENDSHIP

A. Sins of the tongue

1. Gossip— “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord. Gossipers going from home to home, saying things they shouldn’t.....

16“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord. . Gossipers going from home to home, saying things they shouldn’t.

And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.

16“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.

2. Whispering—Whispering is listed with other sins that will doom man’s soul.....

---29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.

29Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.

30They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.

B. Sinful traits

1. Misunderstanding—Misunderstanding led to lying and deception by Joseph’s brothers.....

2. Jealousy— Never be jealous of your friends.....

3. Bitterness—Bitterness destroys friendship. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior......

4. Meddling—Keep your nose out of other people’s business. (ENOUGH SAID?)

IV. THE PRAISE OF FRIENDSHIP

A. Thanks—Be thankful for your friends. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.....

3Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

B. Truthful— “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. Scripture tells us to be truthful at any cost. Not only when it’s easy but “AT ALL COST.”......

16“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. Be truthful at any cost.

C. Thoughtful—Paul thanks those who helped him in his work. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN