The Joy of Friendship
Proverbs 28:24
24 Whoever robs their father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Proverbs 27:12-25
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever protects their master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.
20 Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
and neither are human eyes.
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but people are tested by their praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
The Joy of Friendship
May I ask you a question right now? Who are your closest friends?
How do you value and nurture those vital relationships?
From the very beginning of creation we were designed for relationships. God never intended for us to be alone. Jesus, Himself, was surrounded by faithful disciples and friends during the span of His life and ministry on earth. As we share the joyous truth of the gospel, we are united by something deeper and stronger than bloodlines. As followers of Christ, our friendships are founded in Christ. C.S. Lewis puts it, “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”
In a recent U.S. government survey they discovered that 27% of the Millennial generation say they have no close friends. 22% of them say they have no friends at all. The latest surveys say that about one third of people in America struggle with loneliness. We have had a global pandemic that has caused more isolation and disconnection making it difficult for people to re-engage with others. One of the blessings I desire to flow out of our NewDay community is the ability to make and nurture true and lasting friendships.
Proverbs 18:24 states, "There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Or as the Good News Translation puts it, “Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.” Do you have those kinds of friendships?
This Sunday I want to give you some tools that will help you nurture those friendships that can be life-giving and lasting. I know the risks, but I also have experienced the JOY of a deeper friendship with Jesus and others that is worth it all!
Grateful to journey together with you!
Pastor John
Friendship Handout: https://mcusercontent.com/bd5b59c1232ad5702995b368c/files/2ccd92d1-0540-6ded-30d9-d8c278913dc8/7.10.22_Friendship_Handout.pdf