Introduction – it's midnight – highway- breakdown – who to call?
Text: Prov. 1:10-15 ( if sinners entice you... mugging/ drugs/ ...partying)
*A message for the young... A message for choosing a friend...
Culture says ? more connected than ever – lonelier than ever.
** Proverbs is a book of wisdom**
#1. Unfriendly Friends Are Too Easy To Find. (Prov. 1:10-11)
Prov 12: 26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
PROV 22:24 DO NOT MAKE FRIENDS with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.
“Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33)
#2. Fantastic Friends Are Often Hard To Find. (Proverbs 13:20)
Choose wisely...carefully... Listen to your parents.
Prov 1:15 “do not go along with them...”
Look for character...
o Integrity
o Loyalty
o Attitude
O Work ethic
O Respect for people (authority)
O Humility over arrogance
“Do not make friends with one easily angered...” ( Prov.22:24)
# 3: Jesus is Our (best) Friend - The Most Important Friendship: John 15:13-15
• "I call you friends – a servant does not know his masters business...
• Jesus spent most of his life with 12 friends.
• All our friendships must meet his approval!!!
# 4: The 2nd Most Important Friendship – Marriage.
Gen. 2:18 “it is not good for man to be alone...”
Prov 31: 30 “charm is deceptive &beauty is fleeting...”who fears the Lord”
2 Cor 6:4 ( “do not be unequally yoked...”)
*** Ask God to arrange your marriage**
# 5: The Benefits Of Fantastic Friends: Proverbs 22:11
o You will be Inspired (wise)
o Accountability (wounds of a friend can be trusted – prov.27:6
o You will Acquire wisdom (walk with the wise...)
o Sound Advice
o A brother is born for adversity (p 17:17)
pr 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
# 6: Friendship Is Foundational To Gospel Witness: Luke 15:1-2
o Jesus was a friend of sinners
o Zacchaeus – Luke 19
O Luke 15 – 3 parables of lostness (this man welcomes sinners...)
O **IN-REACH & OUT-REACH!
# 7: Friendship Builders.
1. Transparency (Vulnerability)
2. Listening skills
3. Time – “being present”
4. Chemistry – friendships can’t be forced.
5. Common ground – balance/reciprocity (Hobby)
6. Accepting (support).
7. Inspiration - Bring out the best in you... “as iron sharpens iron...”
8. As believers, talk about the bible, God – the church and it's mission.
9. Difficult seasons are bonding times (we can’t plan these) – but we can “show up.”
#8: How To Fracture A Friendship... (friendship killers)
1. Talk too much ...(ramble... occasional rants are OK)
2. Avoid being too dogmatic.
3. Avoid Exalting yourself at others expense.
4. Put down/insult your friend
5. Criticize... negative thinker...worrier... Avoid the “woe is me” attitude.
6. One-upmanship – trying to prove myself better than you
7. One-way friendship --Never reach out ( he never calls me...)
8. Take and take – never give! (What do you want now...)
9. Never betray a confidence ( you told someone...?)
10. Don’t Take a kindness for granted – fail to appreciate – fail to says thx.
Conclusion: Prov 13:20…He Who Walks With The Wise Will Become Come Wise…But A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm.
Sequoia trees – (redwood) 300 feet tall ---
– shallow roots – yet stable because roots are intertwined...
Action ? bless a friend? Be a friend...loose a friend?
