The way that we use technology shows that friendship matters to us. Social networking is about keeping in touch with friends and making new friends. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, MSN Instant Messenger, SMS – all of these are about friendship, sometimes the friendship is superficial, but in the very least our use of these technologies shows that connecting with others and friendship matters.
Families were once the bed rock of our society. Our families would always be there. But for many people there is greater stability in our friendship group than there is in our family. Some studies have shown that teenagers today will prioritise their friends over their boyfriend or girlfriend. Boyfriend/girlfriend relationships bust up. But out friends are constant.
1) The Bible gives examples of good friendships
David and Jonathan – 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:1-4
Jono was a very good friend to have! If you want to read a bit more about their friendship have a look at 1 Samuel 20.
Paul and Timothy – 19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:19-22
Very cool, gospel-centred friendship. Read more here.
2) The Bible gives wisdom on how to be a friend
Proverbs is chockers with good ideas on to be a friend:
- A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret. (Prov 11:13 – 13)
- He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Prov 17:9 – 9)
- A friend loves at all times (Prov 17:17a – 17)
- Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.(Prov 22:24-25)
- Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house—too much of you, and he will hate you. (Prov 25:17 – 17)
- Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. (Prov 25:19 – 19)
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel. (Prov 27:9 – 9)
Friendship is to be characterised by: love; sharing; concern; not gossiping; being reliable; being trustworthy.
What type of friend are you? If you weren’t you – would you be willing to be friends with you?
3) The Bible shows us what a friend we have in Jesus
In Genesis 3, we see people sin against God. This meant that they couldn’t be friends with God. Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned. We’ve all ignored and rejected God. Therefore, because of our sin, we can’t be friends with God.
The good news? Jesus. Look at what type of friend he is:
John 15:13 – 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he [Jesus] lay down his life for his friends.
Do your friends suck? Jesus doesn’t. Do your friends let you down? Jesus won’t. Are you a bad friend? Jesus isn’t.
You will not find a better friend than the one we have in Jesus. The cross of Jesus is God’s way of saying: LET’S BE FRIENDS. As the nails were pierced into Jesus’ hands, he did it that we could be brought back into friendship with him.
In John 15 Jesus is talking about him being the Vine and His people are the branches. The point? STAY CONNECTED TO JESUS. You don’t just put your trust in Jesus once, you stay connected to him, you keep trusting in him, you keep speaking to him, you keep being friends with him.
FRIENDS MATTER FOR ETERNITY
Are you friends with Jesus? The friendship that matters most, the friendship that will never be ruined, is a friendship with the Creator of the universe. Keep trusting Jesus and you will be friends with him forever. Keep clinging to him, he won’t let you down.