TEXT
"There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"
Who is this friend? Matthew 11:19 gives us the answer - "The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners".
Jesus Christ is:
1. A RELIABLE FRIEND
"A friend loveth at all times" (Proverbs 17:17).
He is with His people through thick and thin.
a) When we go astray
b) When we are alone
c) When we feel afraid
A friend of Jesus! O what bliss
That one so weak as I
Should ever have a Friend like this
To lead me to the sky!
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
O what blessèd, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.
2. A RECOGNIZABLE FRIEND
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6).
His wounded head, back, side, hands and feet are proof of His friendship.
Where He may lead me I will go
For I have learned to trust Him so
And I remember ‘twas for me
That He was slain on Calvary.
Jesus shall lead me night and day
Jesus shall lead me all the way
He is the truest Friend to me
For I remember Calvary.
3. A REMARKABLE FRIEND
"a friend of publicans and sinners" (Matthew 11:19).
Zacchaeus, Matthew, Mary Magdalene and the woman taken in adultery all had a personal encounter with the Friend of sinners. They were never the same again. This can be your experience too.
Thou art the sinner’s Friend,
So I Thy friendship claim,
A sinner saved by grace
When Thy sweet message came.
