SF253 - WHAT IS A FRIEND (Proverbs 17 17)
SF253
CBC 3/3/91
WHAT IS A FRIEND
Proverbs 17:17
INTRODUCTION
Everyone Needs A Friend
When the First World War ended, the King and Queen of Belgium wanted to honor President Herbert Hoover for the aid they had received during the war from the United States. After considering the various available honors, the monarch offered Hoover his choice of three decorations. He rejected them all stating:
You have stood at the gateway of civilization and held back the tide of aggression, while we have only shared with you what we had to give. For that one does not ask for honors.
The King and Queen responded, "He is our very great friend." Desiring to adequately express their appreciation for his efforts, they created a new order to which Hoover alone belonged, "Friend of the Belgian people."
DEFINITIONS OF A FRIEND
"A friend is somebody who doesn't go on a diet when you're fat." Erma Bombeck
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you just the same."
"A true friend will go on liking you, no matter how successful either of you becomes."
"A friend is one who strengthens you with his prayers, blesses you with his love, and encourages you with his hope."
"A friend is somebody who is on the scene when you need him and quietly leaves when you want to be left alone."
"A friend is someone who is there when you call and sometimes even before you call."
"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life. Many might have fallen beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend."
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1A. THE TYPES OF FRIENDSHIP (Pro 18:24a)
1B Simple (Casual) Friendship
Ocean Liner
Those who just hop on and off board.
2B Circumstancial (Fair Weather) Friendship
Ocean Liner
Those who abandon ship at the first sign of a storm.
Prodigal Son
3B. Supernatural (True) Friendship
1C. Rare
2C. Few
3C. Demanding
"Be slow in making friends ‑ even slower in changing them." Ben Franklin
THE HIGH COST OF LOVING
We become vulnerable when we love people and go out of our way to help them. That's what the wealthy industrialist Charles Schwab declared after going to court and winning a nuisance suit at age 70. Given permission by the judge to speak to the audience, he made the following statement: "I'd like to say here in a court of law, and speaking as an old man, that nine‑tenths of my troubles are traceable to my being kind to others. Look, you young people, if you want to steer away from trouble, be hard‑boiled. Be quick with a good loud no to anyone and everyone. If you follow this rule, you will seldom be bothered as you tread life's pathway. Except ‑ you'll have no friends, you'll be lonely, and you won't have any fun!"
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2A. THE TRAITS OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
1B. A True Friend Is Selfless
1C Puts you first
JOH 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
2C. Protects you fearlessly
3C. Pleases you fully
PRO 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.
2B. A True Friend Is Steadfast (Pro 17:17; 18:24)
1C. Will stand up with youl
PRO 27:10 Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,...
2C. Will stay with you
The Good Samaritan
SAM DAVIS
Sam Davis was a Confederate spy executed at Pulaski, Tennessee, for his crime. When captured by the Union army, he had in his possession some papers of vital importance. After examining the case closely, the officers in charge knew he must have had an accomplice in securing the papers. He was court martialed, led out before the firing squad and blindfolded. Then the officer in charge put forward a proposition: "If you will give us the name of the man who furnished you this information, you may go free."
Sam Davis did not hesitate in his reply, "If I had a thousand lives I would give them all before I would betray a friend."
"Loyalty thou are indeed a gem, seldom found in the hearts of men."
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3B. A True Friend will Sacrifice
The Indian word for friend = One who carries my sorrows on his back.
1C. His goals
2C. His gold
4B. A True Friend Is Sanctifying
1C. Confirms you
Lifts you up
PRO 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." Henry Ford
2C. Confronts you
PRO 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
THE SANCTIFYING FRIEND
I love you not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for not closing your ears to the discord in me, but for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening.
You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by just being yourself. Perhaps this is what being a friend means after all.
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3A. THE TEST OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
1B. Cares About Your Soul
JOB 16:21 [His intercessor] on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
2B. CarriesYou To Christ
The Lame Man (LUK 5:17‑26)
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APPLICATION
What Kind of Friend Are You?...
1B. Would my friend be offended if he knew what I said behind his back last week?
2B. Do I listen to my friend when he comes to me with a problem?
3B. When was the last time I prayed for my friend's needs?
4B. Am I certain my friend is saved?
5B. Am I the kind of friend I would like to have?