Summary: This message talks about the benefit of choosing your friends carefully. The key verse is Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and you will become wise.

Introduction – it's midnight – highway- breakdown – who to call?

Text: Prov. 1:10-15 ( if sinners entice you... mugging/ drugs/ ...partying)

*A message for the young... A message for choosing a friend...

Culture says ? more connected than ever – lonelier than ever.

** Proverbs is a book of wisdom**

#1. Unfriendly Friends Are Too Easy To Find. (Prov. 1:10-11)

Prov 12: 26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

PROV 22:24 DO NOT MAKE FRIENDS with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

“Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33)

#2. Fantastic Friends Are Often Hard To Find. (Proverbs 13:20)

Choose wisely...carefully... Listen to your parents.

Prov 1:15 “do not go along with them...”

Look for character...

o Integrity

o Loyalty

o Attitude

O Work ethic

O Respect for people (authority)

O Humility over arrogance

“Do not make friends with one easily angered...” ( Prov.22:24)

# 3: Jesus is Our (best) Friend - The Most Important Friendship: John 15:13-15

• "I call you friends – a servant does not know his masters business...

• Jesus spent most of his life with 12 friends.

• All our friendships must meet his approval!!!

# 4: The 2nd Most Important Friendship – Marriage.

Gen. 2:18 “it is not good for man to be alone...”

Prov 31: 30 “charm is deceptive &beauty is fleeting...”who fears the Lord”

2 Cor 6:4 ( “do not be unequally yoked...”)

*** Ask God to arrange your marriage**

# 5: The Benefits Of Fantastic Friends: Proverbs 22:11

o You will be Inspired (wise)

o Accountability (wounds of a friend can be trusted – prov.27:6

o You will Acquire wisdom (walk with the wise...)

o Sound Advice

o A brother is born for adversity (p 17:17)

pr 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

# 6: Friendship Is Foundational To Gospel Witness: Luke 15:1-2

o Jesus was a friend of sinners

o Zacchaeus – Luke 19

O Luke 15 – 3 parables of lostness (this man welcomes sinners...)

O **IN-REACH & OUT-REACH!

# 7: Friendship Builders.

1. Transparency (Vulnerability)

2. Listening skills

3. Time – “being present”

4. Chemistry – friendships can’t be forced.

5. Common ground – balance/reciprocity (Hobby)

6. Accepting (support).

7. Inspiration - Bring out the best in you... “as iron sharpens iron...”

8. As believers, talk about the bible, God – the church and it's mission.

9. Difficult seasons are bonding times (we can’t plan these) – but we can “show up.”

#8: How To Fracture A Friendship... (friendship killers)

1. Talk too much ...(ramble... occasional rants are OK)

2. Avoid being too dogmatic.

3. Avoid Exalting yourself at others expense.

4. Put down/insult your friend

5. Criticize... negative thinker...worrier... Avoid the “woe is me” attitude.

6. One-upmanship – trying to prove myself better than you

7. One-way friendship --Never reach out ( he never calls me...)

8. Take and take – never give! (What do you want now...)

9. Never betray a confidence ( you told someone...?)

10. Don’t Take a kindness for granted – fail to appreciate – fail to says thx.

Conclusion: Prov 13:20…He Who Walks With The Wise Will Become Come Wise…But A Companion Of Fools Suffers Harm.

Sequoia trees – (redwood) 300 feet tall ---

– shallow roots – yet stable because roots are intertwined...

Action ? bless a friend? Be a friend...loose a friend?