Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Acquaintances
Fans
Buddies
Is God Merely an Acquaintance?
Psalm 139:1-4 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely
A True Friend - Tests
1. Knowing and Being known
Deeper than a flattery?
A true friend cares enough...
Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out! – Proverbs 27:6 (Good News)
Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery. – Proverbs 28:23
Friend Versus Enemy• Speaks with love and
sincerity• Generally deals with one
specific thing at a time• Usually a quiet voice • Specific with a path to
change and hope • Corrects • Convicts • Encourages to help• Gives peace with a sense
of confirmation• Leads to a life of balance
• Deals in anger and manipulation
• Throws the “whole book” at you
• Usually major clamoring• General guilt with
confusion• Accuses • Condemns • Discourages to despair • Gives pressure with a
sense of frustration • Leads to a life of bondage
A True Friend - Tests
1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to
challenge
Is God just a buddy?
There is a time for joy
“I am so happy, let us celebrate”(Luke 15:6, 9, 23)
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord(Psalm 150:6)
A True Friend - Tests
1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to
challenge3. Celebrating and being celebrated
There is a time for help
• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22
• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22• God is our refuge and strength, A very
present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22• God is our refuge and strength, A very
present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1• I will lead the blind by ways they have not
known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
A True Friend - Tests
1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to
challenge3. Celebrating and being celebrated4. Serving and being served
a. Friends don’t help others forget their burdens; they bear them.
The Awareness Moment
Friendship Demonstrated
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s
life for one’s friendsJohn 15:13
Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.