1Sa 18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
1Sa 18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
1Sa 18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
Trust is essential to true friendship. We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying that those secrets will end up on the Internet the next day! Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship in a hurry. Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting, no negative thoughts, no turning away.
True friendship requires certain accountability factors. Real friends encourage one another and forgive one another where there has been an offense. Genuine friendship supports during times of struggle. Friends are dependable. In true friendship, unconditional love develops. We love our friends no matter what and we always want the best for our friends. (Voted Best by Yahoo)
"Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul. A friend is another self."
Examples of True Friendship
*Friends are one in spirit -
--18:1 - Jonathan became one in spirit with David
-Don’t seek to make a friend who you don’t like
That may seem too simple; but some people think, I’ll find someone rich or famous and I’ll try to be their friend. God has made us all differently. We ought to all get along, but there are some people we would rather not get along with for very long! Choose your friends based on how you “connect.”
-don’t get me wrong - we should be friendly to all, but let God build the “connection” in our spirit. In seeking friendships, ask who are you drawn to as a person.
*Friends love one another as themselves
- 18:1 - and he loved him as himself.
-See how good a friend you are by what you think of your friend. If you are going out to eat with your friend, do you take them to a steakhouse of McDonalds? If you are buying some cologne for your friend, is it Liz Claiborne or Old Spice? Do you think of them above yourself?
*Friends spend time together
- 18:2 - From that day Saul kept David with him
-Jonathan spent much time with David. In coming chapters we see them meeting together, hunting together, and spending much time together. If you have a friend, you will want to spend time with them.
*Friends are committed to each other
- 18:3 - And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. -Friends will stick by you. They are there when the going gets tough. They are not “fair weather” friends. Some of you here can tell of friends who stood by you at difficult times in your life.
*Friends take steps to honor the friendship - 18:4
-What have you given to honor a friend?
*Friends look out for one another - 19:1-2
-How much do you look out for the interests of your friend? Do you care the problems they are facing? Are you willing to speak up when you see a problem?
Prov. 27:6 - Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
*Friends rejoice when their friends succeed - 19:4-5
-Jonathan wasn’t afraid to speak up for his friend. He rejoiced in the victory God had given David. Even though he knew David would one day be king, the role due Jonathan by birth, he befriended David.
-If your friend gets the promotion or new car, but you don’t, do you still rejoice?
*Friends help friends resolve their problems - 19:7 -Jonathan brought resolution to the conflict of his father and David.
*Friends encourage one another - 20:1-2 -
-If you are a good friend, you will seek to bring encouragement when your friends are down
*Friends are not afraid to express their friendship - 20:41 We live in a society where we are afraid to show friendship. The Christians were told to greet one another with a holy kiss.
*Friends encourage one another in the Lord
- 23:16 - And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God.
-The true test of a friend is how they affect your walk with Christ.
*Friends allow their friendship to flow out to others
-2 Sam. 9:1-7 -
If you will be a friend, others will reap the benefits. This morning ask who all has received a blessing because of the friendships you hold.
****Friendship is not about what you get - it’s about what you give. It’s not about someone loving you - it’s about commitment to others and those they love. It’s about extending your love beyond yourself.
II. How do you make friends?
1. Know what friendship is - We have talked a lot about friendship today. Really what it is, is love. Jesus didn’t say much about friendship, but he talked a lot about love. Jesus said, [Jn 13:35] - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
- To really be a friend, to really love, you must know the one who is love, God.
John 15:13 - Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
-God showed his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Most Americans know the story of Jesus - but many still have not made the choice to commit their life to him and accept him as Savior. Only by personally receiving Christ can anyone have his sins forgiven and be saved and really be a true friend to others.
2. Try to BE a friend - -Prov. 18:24 -
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
-Far too many people are looking to have a friend than to be a friend.
Thanks to Christ’s friend from whom came this outline...
