Examples Of True Friendship

Friend Day

1 Sam 18

Intro: This sign was seen at the front desk of a country inn, over in England:

“Please introduce yourself to your fellow guests

since we are one big, happy family.

The management is not responsible

for valuables left in your room!”

We live in a society today that is greatly isolationistic. We have lost our connection to one another. We drive to work alone in our car, work all day in our cubby, get cash at the ATM, get lunch at the drive through, and spend the night watching TV. No wonder so many feel alone. No wonder we don’t have a very high level of trust for one another. But it didn’t always use to be this way.

I grew up out in the country. Our neighbors across the street were the Kaytors. We were constant in each other’s houses. We worked together, played together, farmed together, ate together. We were very close friends. After years of separation when Steve, the father died, we received a call from the family and my brother had the funeral. Friendships build close bonds.

Who is your friend? Some of you are here today because of a friend who invited you. I hope that today you come away with a commitment to be a better friend. If there is one thing that most of us truly desire, it is to have a good, close friend. I would venture to say that most of us would give half of what we own to have a good, true, close friend. Some of us would give all that we have for a good, true friend.

We have been reading through the Bible together. This week we have been reading in 1 Samuel. Turn with me to 1 Samuel 18. Here we find the example of two true friends: David and Jonathan. Let’s learn from their example what friendship is all about. Compare yourself to Jonathan and David, and see what kind of friend you really are!

Our account immediately follows David killing the giant Goliath. The king sees him, and inquires about him. Read 17: 1-5 - Examples of True Friendship

*Friends are one in spirit -

--18:1 - Jonathan became one in spirit with David

-Don’t seek to make a friend who you don’t like

That may seem too simple; but some people think, I’ll find someone rich or famous and I’ll try to be their friend. God has made us all differently. We ought to all get along, but there are some people we would rather not get along with for very long! Choose your friends based on how you “connect.”

-don’t get me wrong - we should be friendly to all, but let God build the “connection” in our spirit. In seeking friendships, ask who are you drawn to as a person.

*Friends love one another as themselves

- 18:1 - and he loved him as himself.

-See how good a friend you are by what you think of your friend. If you are going out to eat with your friend, do you take them to a steakhouse of McDonalds? If you are buying some cologne for your friend, is it Liz Claiborne or Old Spice? Do you think of them above yourself?

*Friends spend time together

- 18:2 - From that day Saul kept David with him

-Jonathan spent much time with David. In coming chapters we see them meeting together, hunting together, and spending much time together. If you have a friend, you will want to spend time with them.

*Friends are committed to each other

- 18:3 - And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. -Friends will stick by you. They are there when the going gets tough. They are not “fair weather” friends. Some of you here can tell of friends who stood by you at difficult times in your life.

*Friends take steps to honor the friendship - 18:4

-What have you given to honor a friend? When we left Chambersburg to come here, we had a friend named Jeff over to the house. He had been a good friend, and I wanted to do something to honor his friendship. I knew he liked black onyx, so I gave him a gold ring with a black onyx stone that I wore. That same night he brought along a gift for me - a black watch that he had that he wanted me to have. I wear it each day and think of him.

*Friends look out for one another - 19:1-2

-How much do you look out for the interests of your friend? Do you care the problems they are facing? Are you willing to speak up when you see a problem?

Prov. 27:6 - Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.