Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Acquaintances

Fans

Buddies

Is God Merely an Acquaintance?

Psalm 139:1-4 You have searched me, LORD,

and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely

A True Friend - Tests

1. Knowing and Being known

Deeper than a flattery?

A true friend cares enough...

Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out! – Proverbs 27:6 (Good News)

Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery. – Proverbs 28:23

Friend Versus Enemy• Speaks with love and

sincerity• Generally deals with one

specific thing at a time• Usually a quiet voice • Specific with a path to

change and hope • Corrects • Convicts • Encourages to help• Gives peace with a sense

of confirmation• Leads to a life of balance

• Deals in anger and manipulation

• Throws the “whole book” at you

• Usually major clamoring• General guilt with

confusion• Accuses • Condemns • Discourages to despair • Gives pressure with a

sense of frustration • Leads to a life of bondage

A True Friend - Tests

1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to

challenge

Is God just a buddy?

There is a time for joy

“I am so happy, let us celebrate”(Luke 15:6, 9, 23)

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord(Psalm 150:6)

A True Friend - Tests

1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to

challenge3. Celebrating and being celebrated

There is a time for help

• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22

• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22• God is our refuge and strength, A very

present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

• Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22• God is our refuge and strength, A very

present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1• I will lead the blind by ways they have not

known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

A True Friend - Tests

1. Knowing and Being known2. Challenging and openness to

challenge3. Celebrating and being celebrated4. Serving and being served

a. Friends don’t help others forget their burdens; they bear them.

The Awareness Moment

Friendship Demonstrated

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s

life for one’s friendsJohn 15:13

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.