Friendship with God – The Value of Friendship

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Text: Matth.3:13-17; John 1:35-36

(A) Intro

In the Bible, (KJV & NIV) only three (3) people were directly named by God as His friend, that is not to say that others were not; some were even described using different adjectives such as:
… Enoch … worked with God… Gen.5:22
… Noah … Found Grace… Gen.6:8
… Job … My Servant … Job.1:8
… David … A man after God’s heart…Isa.13:14
… Ananias…A certain disciple… Acts.9:10

Those directly described as God’s friends were:
Abraham – 2Chor.20:7; James 2:23
Moses – Exo. 33:11
Lazarus – John 11:11

B) WHO IS A FRIEND?
A look at different dictionaries give the underlisted definitions
The Chambers Dictionary:

A person loving or attached to another
A favourer, well wisher and supporter
Longman Active Study Dict: Someone you know well and enjoy spending time with
Bits and Pieces Magazine, July 1991: ­_ – A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

– Someone who truly stands with you inspite of the cost.
Cotemporary Quotes:

Anonymous: A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when your have forgotten.
Abraham Lincoln: A better part of one’s life consists of his friendships

C) THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP
It is a very precious gift from God – Gen.2:18
It is a worthwhile investment – Ecc.4:9
You labour i.e work to build and keep worth while friend. –Ecc.4:9

D) WHO IS A TRUE FRIEND?
Using the story of the paralytic in – Lu.5:18-26 and Ecc.4:9-12, we will attempt to briefly examine the manifestation of a True friend
A true friend helps you when you are down – Ecc. 4:10; Lu.518
A true friend provides emotional and physical warmth for you in a cold cruel world- Ecc.4:11; Lu.5:18; Matth.26:36-38, Prov.12:35.
A true friend will stand to protect you or your reputation – Ecc.4:12; Matth.26:35,51
A true friend is committed to helping you become a better person even at a personal cost Prov.27:17

E) SOME REQUIREMENTS FOR TRUE FRIENDSHIP
Have a friendly disposition – Prov.18:24
Be loyal to your friend – Prov.17:17
A true friend speaks the truth at all times even if it may hurt – Prov.27:6
Choose your friends – John 6:70;15:15

Dr. Udoh
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