I Am A Friend Of God by Pastor Fee Soliven John 15:9-15 Sunday Morning May 15, 2016

John 15: "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Unwise Friendships

1. The Gossip

Proverbs 20:19 “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip”

2. The Quick-Tempered

Proverbs 22:24-25 “Do not associate with a man (or woman) given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man (or woman), or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself”

3. The Disloyal and Discontent

Proverbs 24:21-22 “My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?”

4. The Immoral

Proverbs 29:3 “A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth”

Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life... Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil.”

4. The Fool

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”

Wise Friendships

1. Share a Deep Common Interest

2. Meet the Needs of the other Person

3. Risk Rejection and Pain

4. Love Sacrificially

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

5. Are Open and Transparent

Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

6. Serve Joyfully

Romans 12:9-13 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

7. Ask Forgiveness

Matthew 6: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

8. Accept Criticism and Praise

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things…

9. Are Committed to the other’s Spiritual Growth

10. Are Governed by Principles of Scripture

11. Are loyal

1. Have you ever had friends who displayed any of these qualities? How did they affect your character and choices?

2. Have you ever had a friend who modeled godliness? What effect did he or she have on your life and spiritual growth?

3. Now consider what kind of influence you are to your friends. Which of the characteristics of wise friendships are you practicing in your relationships?