Friends With God and Others

Series - Ignite: Be All That You Can Be (2)

FRIENDS WITH GOD AND OTHERS 1 Samuel 18:1 - 4

“…the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” I Sam 18:1b

I. David and Jonathan

The Bible does not ignore friendship. We have a beautiful example of human friendship In David.

Saul is trying to kill David, but Saul's son Jonathan pledges his loyalty to David saying, "Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you." I Samuel 20:4

In one of the fiercest battles of David's life, God doesn't deliver David from the battle, he sends a friend into the heat of the battle.

II. Characteristics of Christian Friendship

A. Friends Are Rooted In God.

God provides for us in battle by giving us the Holy Spirit, and friends like Jonathan.

David and Jonathan frequently ask for the Lord's presence in their friendship.

Ego and who is first, and who gets the recognition is not the issue. That's why Jonathan is not jealousy.

Jonathan is next in line to be king, but he knows David is the king chosen by God so he gives David his royal robe.

Friendship depends on a common vision, a common quest.

The key is to have your life captured by a vision for God's glory and then find others captured by the same vision.

B. Friends Let Friends In

Jonathan became one spirit with David," literally translated, "spirit bound with spirit." They shared their deepest hopes, fears, and dreams.

They realize they need fellow-warriors to stand with them in the battle.

If you don't realize your need for deep friendships, you either don't know you're in a battle, or you know but are not fighting it God's way

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The Gospel calls us to stop moving away from each other and start loving. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV

C. Friends Are Loyal

The Hebrew word “chesed,” is a fiercely loyal love translated as the steadfast love of God.

David's life and problems were messy but Jonathan willingly walked into the chaos of David's life.

Friends are loyal, even when it's inconvenient.

What kind of friend are you? Are you passionately pursuing Christ?

Make that your mission even above finding friends.

Christ came to create a new humanity, a redeemed community that will gather around his throne.