Introduction
· Knowing how to choose friends is one of most important skills you’ll ever develop.
· Friends help shape your life because of their strong influence; therefore it is important to choose the right friends.
· In the Word of God, He shows us how to select friend to be part of our life.
· Who we hang with is who we become. We need to use Godly wisdom in our relationships.
· Choosing good friends can be a blessing or a cursing to our lives.
· Let us look to the Word and see what God has to say about choosing Godly friend.
1) We must examine our relationships.
a) Choosing good friendships is essential to our well-being.
i) A good friend knows how to empower you for success.
ii) The wrong friend can be a curse.
(NKJV) Proverbs 12 26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
(1) We must cut off any relationships that aren’t productive.
(2) Those who walk in opposition to God’s Word can cause you to go astray, keep your distance from these people.
2) Don’t be unequally yoked with any person, Christian or non-Christian that lives opposed to the Word.
(NKJV) 2 Corinthians 6 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.”
a) The Bible says that evil company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).
i) If you want to live right, you will have to keep the right company.
b) You are known by the company you keep.
(NKJV) Proverbs 13 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
i) We need to guard our time with people; we can not be everyone’s friend.
(1) We must be loyal to the Word of God.
(2) We can choose God or the world’s way of doing things. One brings blessing, one brings great pain and sorrow.
ii) The Bible tells us to separate ourselves from unbelievers.
iii) A friendship with the world hinders your relationship with the Heavenly Father. You need relationships that enhance your relationship with God.
(1) Don’t just accept anyone into your life because you are lonely.
(2) Don’t form friendships with people that stand against everything you believe. (God, church, morals, etc)
c) You cannot be friends with the world and God.
(NKJV) James 4 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
3) There are three levels of friendship.
a) The Bible supports relationships because two are stronger than one.
(NKJV) Ecclesiastes 4 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
b) The tabernacle consists of the outer court, inner court & the holy of holies (behind the veil).
i) Outer court: casual relationship
ii) Inner court: close relationship
iii) Holy of holies: intimate relationship - vulnerable to one another
(1) The Holy of holies relationships are for a select few people.
(2) A person should earn the right to have this relationship with you.
iv) Determine what friends should be in your outer court, inner court and holy of holies.
v) Don’t allow someone that is an outer court friend into your inner court or holy of holies that have not shown you the qualities of Christ (Like minded, trustworthy).
c) Be patient enough to see if a person is willing to prove him or herself to be faithful.
d) Friend is a covenant word. Abraham was God’s friend. Are you a friend of God?
(NKJV) James 2 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
4) Beware of those that call themselves Christians but are really immoral people.
a) Remove yourself from people who are rebellious.
b) Don’t hang with people who constantly sin and are not committed to changing their behavior.
c) Stick with people who are committed to pursuing Godliness. Depart from people who refuse to repent.
Conclusion
· God desires that you fellowship with like-minded people, those that will encourage you in your walk with Jesus Christ.
· Who you hang with is who you become.
· Examine your relationships this morning. Are the people you call a friend a blessing or a curse?
· Godly friendships will stand the test of time. These people are the ones in the inner court or the holy of holies.
· You are known by the company you keep.
· We must make good decisions as it relates to friends; we can’t have the world and God. We must choose one.
· Jesus desires to have a relationship with you today. DO you know Him? Are you a friend of God?
· Let us pray.
Salvation Call/ Altar Call
