SF256 - GOD’S FORMULA FOR FRIENDSHIP (1 Samuel 18 1-4)

SF256

GOD’S FORMULA FOR FRIENDSHIP

1 Samuel 18:1‑4

INTRODUCTION

The Bible records many great friendships

Ø            Abraham and Lot

Ø            Moses and Aaron

Ø            Ezra and Nehemiah

Ø            Elijah and Elisha

Ø            Peter and John

Ø            Paul and Silas

The greatest friendship recorded is found in 1 Samuel.  It is the friendship shared between David and Jonathan.

Turn with me to 1 Samuel 18:1

David and Jonathan have been brought together due to David's heroic act in slaying Goliath.  They are about the same age and because Saul has brought David into the palace to live, the two boys are thrown together.  Rather than the jealous, competitive attitude one might expect a great enduring friendship develops.

Let's look together and see what makes this kind of friendship.

God’s Formula For Friendship

Five Ingredients

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1A           CHEMISTRY (v.1)

"one in spirit"        literally means he chained himself, chemistry - speaks of unity, not uniformity!

"To enjoy a friend, I need more in common with him than hating the same people." Frank Clark

1B.          Personalities must mesh not mirror

2B.          Priorities must coincide not compete

2A.          COMPASSION

"loved him as himself"

1B           Must Feel Secure

The insecure person does not feel he has anything to give.

2B.          Must Feel Special

The solution is to meet the Lord Jesus who knows you and loves you in spite of your weakness.

"Faith is my acceptance of the fact that He accepts me.  He accepts me.  I accept that He accepts me.  Now I can accept me.  It is all right for me to love what Jesus loves.  And if Jesus loves me, I can love me... Now I am free to accept you."  Adrian Rogers

3B.          Must Freely Sacrifice

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3A           COMMITMENT (v.3)

"made a covenant" =  “to cut”

1B.          Binding Commitment

Covenants often were in effect for years and generations to come.

2B.          Blood Commitment

Blood brothers

3B.          Blessed Commitment

 Jonathan

Peacemaker

Protector

David

Preserves Saul

Honors Jonathan and Saul

4A           CONFIRMATION (v.4)

1B.          Jonathan Invested In David By Sharing His:

1C.          Robe = representing his royal position.

2C.          Tunic = representing his military position (armor).

3C.          Sword and Bow = representing his ability to protect himself

.

2B. We Must Invest In Our Friend By Sharing:

1C.          Our time

2C.          Ourselves

3C.          Our resources

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5A.          CHRIST

A GOD PLANNED FRIENDSHIP

I like to think that we are friends because God planned it so.

I like to think it pleases Him to see our friendship grow.

Perhaps that's why so many times I say a little prayer

that He will always bless you and the friendship that we share.

HIS LOVE, NOT OURS

When a devoted servant of Christ became seriously ill, a number of friends gathered around his bedside to ask God to restore him.  The last one to pray spoke of the faithful efforts of this stalwart witness, and concluded his petitions with these words, "Lord, thou knowest how he loves thee."  After a moment of silence the sick believer turned to him and said, "I know you meant well, but please don't plead for my recovery on that basis.

When Lazarus was ill, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, but they didn't request help for their brother because of his affection for Christ.  They said, 'Lord, he whom THOU lovest is sick.'  It's not my weak and faltering allegiance to Him that calls forth His attention, but His perfect love for me that is my constant strength and hope."  The dying saint had expressed a great truth, and none of his friends ever forgot it.

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APPLICATION

If you hope to have the right kind of friend you must first be the right kind of friend.

THEY NEGLECTED LITTLE JOE

"Drop a coin on a sidewalk and almost every eye will follow it, but drop a needy child in a community and very few will pay attention.  Case in point ‑ little Joseph who had polio.            Someone finally took him to Sunday school, but the teacher neglected him.  Later the young people subjected him to ridicule and avoided him because of his crippled condition.  As a result, he dropped out of the class with a hatred for the church and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He did, however, continue his studies in school.  When he finally earned his doctorate from Heidelberg University, a man slipped his arm around him, saying, 'Joseph, I think a lot of you; you and I could do much together.'  The young fellow responded warmly to this welcome attention and encouragement, and in time Joseph Goebbels became the propaganda minister for that man: Adolf Hitler!

WILL YOU TAKE THE RISK AND BE A FRIEND?

Chemistry

Compassion

Commitment

Confirmation

Christ