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!
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
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
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
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.
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