What Kind of Friend Are You? “A man who has friends must himself be friendly” Proverb 18:24

How would you describe a true friend? True Friendship is… Serious Faithful Constant

True friendship takes: Time Effort Desire Patience

Nothing has the ability to sustain and encourage us like true friendship.

The Bible tells us a friend loves at all times. Proverb 17:17 What is love?

Love… Is not jealous Does not brag Is not proud /not puffed up Is not rude Is not selfish/does not seek its own Is not happy with evil Does not rejoice in iniquity Does not count up wrongs that have been done

I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love … Is patient Is kind Rejoices in truth Bears all things Hopes for all things Endures all things Trusts LOVE NEVER FAILS!

When building friendships, the most important part of the building process is laying the right foundation. They are built on the foundation of LOVE.

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 David and Jonathan had that kind of friendship.

David and Jonathan Their story gives us one of the best pictures of true Godly friendship. There was a mutual trust & honesty between them. There was a deep and abiding commitment. They didn’t drift in and out of friendship. They loved each other. They were knit together mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Proverbs 18:24 tells us, “… there is a friend sticks closer than a brother”. David and Jonathan had that kind of friendship.

“… there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”. When you are in trouble, cocktail party friends quickly disappear. When you face disgrace or financial loss, social friends deny knowing you. But Godly friends stick with you. They remain beside you through thick and thin.

Let’s take a look at I Samuel 18, 19, 20

Jonathan accepted David instantly and unconditionally Jonathan accepted David instantly and unconditionally. He was closer to David than he was to his own father.

Why? Discuss it with the ladies near you.

Friendship thrives in an atmosphere of.. Unconditional acceptance Unquestionable vulnerability

A True Friend Stirs You Up! A true friend is honest and willing, if need be, to confront you with the sometimes “painful truth.” She is willing to tell you what you need to hear in order to help you. A true friend shares her honesty out of a spirit of concern not a spirit of criticism. Ephesians 4:15 says, “speak the truth in love”. A true friend combines truth with gentleness. When a true friend has something hard to say, she says it with love and gentleness. She provides loving guidance, not insensitive sandblasts. Colossians 3:12 says, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Truthfulness without gentleness is to be calloused Truthfulness without gentleness is to be calloused. Gentleness without truthfulness is to be cowardly. But, truthfulness with gentleness is to be Christian!

A True Friend Lifts You Up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. In one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up”. A true friend lifts you up to higher levels of achievement. They stand behind you. A true friend will support you. They stand beside you. A true friend will strengthen you. They stand before you. A true friend will stimulate you. “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds”. Hebrews 10:24

A True Friend Builds You Up! “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. Proverbs 27:17 A true friend encourages you. A true friend exhorts you. A true friendship empowers you. A true friend has mutual acceptance and love.

Seek to relate to others in your life in such a way that you bring support, strength and success to them! Stir up! Lift up! Build up!

Safe Guard Yourself From: Jealousy – when our focus can be totally on our friend and not ourselves therein lies the key to true friendship. Gossip – Nothing strips us of a sense of true Godly friendship quicker. Proverbs 16:28 tells us, gossip separates close friends. Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Breaking Confidence – Closely related to gossip is the practice of breaking a friend’s confidence. When a friend tells us something in confidence, it is for our ears only. Proverbs 27:10 tells us, do not forsake your friend.

“Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods”. C.S. Lewis

Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold, But its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold. For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear, And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer. It has no ears to listen, no heart to understand, It cannot bring you comfort or reach our a helping hand, So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if He sends– Not diamonds, pearls or riches, but the love of a real true friend! Helen Steiner Rice

What kind of friend are you?

I went out to find a friend but could not fine one there I went out to find a friend but could not fine one there. I went out to be a friend and friends were everywhere!

Who do you know who needs you to be a true friend to them today? Someone who needs your support to help them do what they have to do. Someone who needs your strength to help them do what they ought to do. Someone who needs to be helped to succeed by doing what they need to do.