“You’re a Friend Of Mine”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12...
What one word should be in every relationship?
Friendship….marriage….being a brother or sister?
Even the relationship of pet and owner…..
The relationship between a employee and employer….
That one word is “dependable.”
According to the dictionary, to be dependable means “to be capable of being depended on, suitable or fit to be relied on, worthy of one’s trust, good, reliable, responsible, safe, solid, steady, sure, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12... “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.”
In what ways can we show that we can be counted on?
First, I can count on you to SERVE.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work”.
In the Good News Bible, it says, “...because together they can work more effectively.”
Then in the Contemporary English Version it says, “...because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.”
Together we can do things easier, faster and better.
Look at that word: TOGETHER……
The root: 2 (more than one)
Gether: or gather: Comes In or Into an association or relationship.
Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Being dependable also means being reliable….
To be reliable means that when I ask you to help me I can count on you to do so.
Galatians 6:2 says, “You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.” A trustworthy friend will not even wait for you to ask for help. He will ask, “How can I help you?” He will not wait for an opportunity but he will look or even make an opportunity just to help you.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Second, I can count on you to SUPPORT.
Verse 11:
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
I heard about a that newspaper ran a contest for the best definition of a friend.
There were thousands of entries…but only one came out a winner…
This is how it read: “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
The scriptures says: “A friend loves at all times.”
A friend is always a friend...”
A true friend stays your friend…..
No matter what happens to you and no matter what happens between the two of you.
A friend is a friend…..
Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
In other words: “Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”
What’s the third thing that shows I can be counted on?
V12
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.”
A dependable person protects her friend.
You should not say or do anything that could hurt your friend or ruin the reputation.
What’s the number one thing that destroys a relationship?
Gossip……
Gossip is a sure way to destroy a friendship.
Matthew 7:12 (AMP) So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.
If you don’t want people to talk behind your back….don’t do it to them.
If ever a person at work…or at school…comes up to you and starts talking bad about your friend….cut them off.
Tell them: “Hey, that’s a friend of mine….and if you have something against him or her, maybe you should go and talk to them….”
Now, the one thing you don’t want to do is go run and tell your friend….“so & so said this about you.“
Leave it at the gate…
But what about if your friend did something that was wrong….and you know about it….
Let me say this…..To protect your friend does not mean you condone their sins.
The author of the bestselling Purpose Driven Life, Dr. Rick Warren said,
“Love is caring enough to confront.”
Can your friends rely on you to correct them if necessary?
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”
In another translation it says, “Wounds made by a friend are intended to help...”
If there is an area in your friend’s life that needs to be addressed,
Proverbs 24:26 “An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship….or….a sign of true friendship.”
There were two soldiers who were very close to each other.
One night during patrol….one was shot….
His friend was in a fox hole.
He saw everything.
He wanted to rescue his friend but his commander stopped him. “It’s too late! Your friend is already dead.”
But he still ran.
With bullets flying all around him…..He carried his friend on his back and ran back towards the fox hole.
When he got back….his friend was dead….
And the soldier that ran back to rescue the friend had also be shot
Boy was his commander mad…..he said: “Look what you’ve done! What a waste!”
The soldier answered:…………. “No, sir. When I got there, he was still alive. Before he died he whispered, ‘I knew you’re coming for me. I knew you wasn’t going to leaving me behind.’”
Now that is a truly dependable friend.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Friendship comes in many forms…..
Husbands and wives should be best friends…..
Brothers and sisters, while they have best friends, that they would never hurt…..should be just as loving, caring and thoughtful to their own…parents and siblings.
Your best friend is always with you….will help you…..you can confide in them…..
The Bible declares there is Someone who can be the truest of the true friends we can have.
James 2:23, “‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”
God is saying, “You’ve got a friend in me.”
The only requirement is that we believe in Him, that we accept Jesus Christ….our best friend…..as our Lord and Savior.
We need to trust HIM….turn away from our sins that we have committed…….
And He will always be your dependable friend.
You can count on God……You can count on Him!
Who do you turn to…for encouragement? Your friend.
Who do you get advice from? Your friend.
When things look bad and there seems to be now ay out…..you turn to a friend….
You may have heard this: “I don’t need anybody”
“I don’t need any friends”
“I can do this alone”
You were not meant to be alone……
That’s why God created woman…because he knew that man could not handle it alone…..
He created your friends to be with you….before you even knew them…..God knew that they were going to be your friends…
He created a wife and husband to be friends….children and parents to be friends……
You were not meant to go it alone…….
Let your best friend….God…be your friend…trust His Son…Trust the Cross….Let the Holy Spirit…turn you into a dependable friend.
Let’s pray...
