THE QUALITIES OF A TRUE FRIEND
Friendfluence #3
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, October 15, 2023
(John 15:11-17, Message) “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. “You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. “But remember the root command: Love one another.”
1. BE A PACE SETTING FRIEND.
(1 Samuel 18:1, Message) “By the time David had finished reporting to Saul, Jonathan was deeply impressed with David—an immediate bond was forged between them. He became totally committed to David. From that point on he would be David’s number-one advocate and friend.”
(Proverbs 18:24, GN) “Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.”
The quality of friends is more important than the quantity of friends.
2. BE A FAITHFUL FRIEND.
(1 Samuel 20:4, NLT) “Tell me what I can do to help you,” Jonathan exclaimed.”
“Does the reality of our friends not shine through our free emotional reactions to them? Do we see men most really when we let ourselves love them, and even poetize a bit about them, when we let our minds free to respond to them, or when we take them to pieces with analytical exactitude?” –Austin Farrer, The Glass of Vision
3. SPEAK FAITH INTO YOUR FRIEND’S LIFE.
(1 Samuel 23:15-18, NLT) “One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him. Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the LORD. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh.”
(Proverbs 27:17, NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Friends motivate one another to be better and do better.
(Proverbs 12:26, NIV) “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Growthwork
Friendship Test
1. Do they bring out the best in me or the worst?
2. Am I better for being around them or worse?
3. Do they motivate me to do more or less?
The secret to true friendship is having a heart for God and finding someone who has a heart for God.
· Find someone you can be a “Jonathan” to.
· Ask God to bring someone into your life who doesn’t know the Lord and can become an eternal friend.