Knowing Who Your Friends Are

A FRIEND OF GOD – A FRIEND OF US

(JAS 2:23)

INTRO:Jesus demonstrated the need and importance of a friend when He mentioned in Jn 15:15”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."

A relation is a connection, a link, a union with someone. Success is not a product of intelligence or the abilities of a Person, but using the correct human relationships. The things that don’t function under relationships are Superficial. We need friends!

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDS

A. A friend is there to listen

B. A friend is there rejoice in your plans

C. Knows before you speak

D. Share’s your pain

E. Feel your sorrow

F. Will not let you down

II. TYPES OF FRIENDS

A. The Hushai Friend (False) “They say they are but they aren’t”

1)2 Sam 16:16,17”Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s friend, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” Absalom asked Hushai, “Is this the love you show your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”

2)Gal 2:4”This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. “

B. The Eliphaz Friend (Unfaithful) “I’m your friend as long as I need you”

1)Job 19:14-19” My kinsmen have gone away; my friends have forgotten me. My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger; they look upon me as an alien. I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers. Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.

C. The Dangerous Friend (Philistine) “I’m your friend, if you do what I tell you”

1)Duet. 13:6,8”If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him.”

D. The Sly Friend (Judas) “I’m your friend but if I have to I’ll betray you”

1)Matthew 26:47-50”While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

E. The Close Friend (Solomon) “I’m your friend, but I’m also a friend to everybody, even those that talk bad about you”

1)Prov. 18:24”A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. “

2)This are dangerous one’s. Solomon lost his relationship with God because he compromised it having with others that departed him from God

F. The True Friend (Jonathon) “I’m your friend and I love You as I love myself, even more then myself”

1)1 Sam 18:1,3,4”After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

III. DESCRIPTION OF A FRIEND

A. 1 Sam 18:3”And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1)Makes a covenant, an agreement

2)because he loves you as himself

B. 1 Sam 20:4” Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.”

1)He is willing to “bat for you”

C. 1 Sam 20:17” And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself."

1)Reaffirms your oath

CONCLUSION: Jesus loved us as friends to the point in dying for us! Are you willing to be a friend with those here this morning! To the point in dying