Category: Friendship
Subject: Friendship
Sermon: We Need Friends!
A discussion of Ecclesiastes 4 that shows the vanity of a life lived without the benefit of friends and family. Jesus is the Christian’s ultimate friend!
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Who Are Your Friends?
In 2 Chronicles 20:31-37 we have a short chronicle of the reign of Jehoshaphat in Judah. There are a few interesting tidbits we can glean from the account. First, while there are things that Jehoshaphat failed to do “the high places were not taken away” (33), in all Jehoshaphat did “what was right in the sight of the Lord” (32). This was a continuation of the good that his father Asa accomplished in his 45 years reigning on the throne (16:13), and greatly contrasted with the idolatrous conditions in Israel, under kings Baasha, Ahab (related to Jehoshaphat by marriage), and Ahaziah, who all “acted very wickedly” (20:35).
Despite all of the good that Jehoshaphat did in his reign, he was punished by God because of the company he kept late in life. We are told that he allied himself with wicked king Ahaziah of Israel, “to make ships to go to Tarshish” (20:36). This economic choice to ally with the wicked king brought a prophecy against him. “But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.’ Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish” (20:37). Continue reading “Who Are Your Friends?”
Friends and Enemies
The book of Proverbs has many pithy gems of wisdom, including this one, found in 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” These words well illustrate the concept of love that should be the foundation of our interactions with one another.
Jesus words, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), are the basis of this bit of wisdom.
A friend will seek your welfare, even if it requires him to correct you. An admonition or criticism, if needed, will still hurt (wound). But, as it comes from a friend the intent is recognized, and the wound can bring change and improvement. So, the wounds of a friend are “faithful.”
Interestingly, one of the most effective tools that Satan and his minions have is flattery. Any praise of our intelligence, our accomplishments, our attractiveness can be used to manipulate and deceive. We are all vulnerable to these tactics. It is best to be on guard!
Jude talked about false teachers in this way. “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage” (Jude 16). The apostles warned of this type, and Jude notes, “These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (19).
When receiving criticism OR flattery, the wise man’s words are worthy of consideration.
Open Your Hearts to Us
We live in cynical times. The dishonesty and fickleness of the world makes it difficult for us to trust our fellow man. We see everywhere politicians breaking campaign promises, marital infidelities and corrupt businesses acting in unethical ways. Each of us from time to time may have experienced betrayal even from family and friends. Perhaps we even have been guilty of failing others in this regard.
However, there are many faithful Christians that we can trust. They love God, and love us, and we can be confident that they are always looking out for what is best for us. It is a wonderful thing to find a faithful brother or sister, especially if we take advantage of their goodness by letting ourselves trust them.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to died together and to live together” (2 Corinthians 7:2-3).
There is no doubt that Paul was true to his word. He was a wonderful man, who even while admonishing the Corinthian Christians, only wanted what was best for them. If they opened their hearts to Paul, they could be sure he would do anything to help them, even to die for them.
You know Christians like that! Open your hearts to them! And look at your own heart, are you such a person?
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Sermon: Who Are Your Friends?
Speaker: Tommy Davis
This lesson discusses the importance of having righteous friends with their good influences, and the danger of evil companionship.
Friendship and Wealth
“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend” (Proverbs 19:4).
It is an unfortunate reality in life that wealth brings popularity. Not that someone might actually become wealthy, but that it can bring out inappropriate reactions from others. For example, the newly rich has a difficult time knowing who is a friend because of genuine affection, and who is a “friend” because they hope to benefit from the wealth, influence or opportunities of the friendship.
The same thing is true with the poor man, whether newly minted or habitually bereft. He has no money, no influence, no opportunity to help anyone who wants to graft onto his friendship. So, he has a hard time making friends.
Wealth has nothing to do either with character or success as defined by God. It does not make a man more spiritual, and it can actually bring challenges to faith. Remember the Lord’s words in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Add to it, “there is neither poor or rich”, and you get the idea.
So, as Christians, we should be “wealth blind.” Our relationships should be based entirely upon genuine affection, not upon a hope for personal gain. (Read James 2:1-9).
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Sermon: Faith & Friendship
Principles such as love, trustworthiness, empathy and honesty are discussed as we seek as Christians to deepen our friendships with one another.
Sermon by Bob Ward.Sermon: Faith and Friendship
Good Christians make good friends. This is because the basis of good friendship is love, which is the same basis of the Christian walk. The sermon examines Faith and friendship, to show how using Scriptural principles will help us to become better friends.
