Text: Mark 2; 1-5
And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Introduction;
There is a saying that goes "A friend in need is a friend indeed". This proverb means that true friends are those who will always be there for us and will stick by us through thick and thin. I believe that every human being in this world MUST have friends in order to lead a happy life. In other words, nobody can survive in this complex world as a loner. No Man is an Island
We have all kinds of friends, but good friends are the ones whom we always depend on and we cherish the happy moments we spend together. What makes someone a friend? Is it their willingness to not let anything come between you and them? Is it their ability to keep your secrets? Is it their ability to make you laugh and share your burden?
So, what are the QUALITIES and TRAITS that we should look for in a person to be considered a good friend and If we must be a good Friend to Others !!!!!!!!!
1 A Good Friend will show their True Love at all times; True friends are committed for life.
Prov.17; 17-18 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.
2 Good Friends will Share our Joy and Sorrows They will not become jealous of our achievements nor rejoice at our Downfall. 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 pick 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. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
3 Good Friends will be Much Closer and Faithful than most of our Family Members. Such relationship can only be sustained when we reciprocate their gestures. Prov. 18; 24- A man who has friends must himself be friendly,[b But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother., Mark 2; 1-5 . The question on this passage where were the Family Member of this Paralytic Man throughout his travail period
4 Good Friends will warn us and rebuke us for our own Good whenever we go astray and genuinely praise us when we are doing well. We need to choose friends who are going to be honest with us no matter what.
Prov. 24:26- He who gives a right answer kisses the lips...
Prov. 27; 5-6- Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
5 Good Friends will give us Good advice and Valuable Counsel to enrich and our lives. We need to choose friends who we know will help us spiritually. They are reliable and dependable in keeping our Secretes.
Prov. 27;9,- Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Prov. 27:17 -As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
6 Good Friends will not abandon us in Times of Trouble. They are always ready to go extra mile to share our Burden. Job 19 ;14-19
14 My relatives have failed,
And my close friends have forgotten me.
15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maidservants,
Count me as a stranger;
I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call my servant, but he gives no answer;
I beg him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife,
And I am repulsive to the children of my own body.
18 Even young children despise me;
I arise, and they speak against me.
19 All my close friends abhor me,
And those whom I love have turned against me.
7 Good Friends will remain TRUE from Generation to Generation. They are Friends who stood with you through Life and are prepared to protect your interest in unexpected natural ways.
They allowed the relationship built with you to spread from generation to generation !!
Let examine this;
1 Samuel 23:15-18 -So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest.[a] 16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” 18 So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.
CONCLUSION
We cannot make it through life and live it to God’s fullest and best without the help of some key friendships. The important thing is to be wise in choosing our friends; those friends with whom we will be the closest and with whom we will have genuine friendships.
My Question to You this Morning is ; What Company Do You Keep ?
WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS? Are your Friends PILLAR friends or CATERPILLAR friends?
More grace to you !!!!!
