Friendship
TEXT: Proverbs 6:1-3
Let us concentrate the subject of friendship today. We live in a day and time when true friends are few and far between. The Bible tells us to "make sure thy friend". One of the best ways to make a friend and have a friend is to be a friend. This is what the Bible teaches in Proverbs 18:24.
Actually, the context of our text (Proverbs 6:1-3) has to do with someone who has sort of co-signed a loan for someone. The wise man Solomon is instructing them to diligently seek release from the responsibilities of the deal. Some people try to buy their friends.
Proverbs 19:4&6. The trouble with those kind of friends is that they usually turn out to be fair weather friends. When your money is gone, so are they. Proverbs 17:17.
How many friends do you have? Everyone should have at least one true friend. Keep in mind that friendship can be divided into several different levels.
I. The Friendly Aquaintance
1. Occasional contact with you.
2. Willing to do a favor for you.
3. Even an evil man like Haman can have friends Esther 5:10.
II. The Casual Friend
1. Shares common interests and activities with you.
2. Willing to do things with you and spend time with you.
3. Job had three friends like this, remember? Job 2:11.
III. The Close Friend
1. You have mutual convictions and goals.
2. You actively work for each others betterment.
3. Joab was a friend like this to David. 2 Samuel 19:5-6.
IV. The Intimate Friend
1. Has a personal lifetime commitment with you.
2. Can and will intervene in your personal life for your good (like it or not).
3. Is truly steadfast, sacrificial, uplifting and loyal even when you don't think they are. Proverbs 27:5-6, 9-10, 17.
V. The Greatest Friend of All
1. None other than Jesus. John 15:13-16.
2. To have God as your friend you must be a believer. James 2:23.
3. There is no middle ground on this subject. It is either HIM or the world. James 4:4
VI. Wisdom Friends come and friends go, but a true fiend sticks by you like family�Prov 18:24
Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies�Prov. 19:4
Laugh with your friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
Become friends with God. He's already a friend with you� 2 Cor 5:20
Agree with each other. Love each other. Be deep-spirited friends.. Philippians 2:2
VII Gossip Don't talk out of both sides of you mouth. Avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Proverbs 4:24
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Ephesians 4:29
Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy. Do you really want junk like that in your belly? Prov 18:8
Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships Prov. 16:28
VIII Comparisons If we to gain the whole world but not have strong/meaningful/loving relationships�What is the life all about. Compared to what:
I have great physical strength compared to PEE WEE HERMAN
I have a lot of friends compared to TIMOTHY MCVEIGH
I am a loving father/mother compared to whom.
CONCLUSION: I AM SURE MOST OF US CAN SAY WE HAVE FRIENDS. BUT IF YOU WERE TO VERY CLOSELY SCRUTINIZE YOUR FRIENDSHIPS, HOW MANY TRUE FRIENDS
DO YOU REALLY HAVE? MOST IMPORTANTLY, CAN YOU, LIKE ABRAHAM OF OLD, BE CALLED A FRIEND OF GOD? THE ONLY WAY FOR THAT TO BE TRUE IS FOR YOU TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.