THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A FRIEND PART 2
TEXT- JOHN 15:12-17
Introduction
This morning is our Friendship Sunday when we emphasize our church theme.
This year our theme is, “How To Become A Friendly Church.”
Last month we looked at the friendship between King David and Jonathan and learned four benefits of friendship.
This morning our text is found in John 15: 12-17 and the title of my message is, “The Characteristics Of A Friend.”
The Thousandth Man
One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
will stick more close than a brother.
And it’s worthwhile seeking him half your days
if you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
on what the world sees in you,
but the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
with the whole round world agin you.
‘Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
will settle the finding for ‘ee.
Nine hundred and nine-nine of ‘em go
by your looks, or your acts or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him,
the rest of the world don’t matter,
for the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
with you in any water.
You can use his purse with no more talk
than he uses for his spendings,
and laugh and meet in your daily walk
as though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em call
for silver and gold in their dealings;
but the Thousandth Man he’s worth ‘em all
because you can show him your feelings.
His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right,
in season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men’s sight-
with that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide
the shame or mocking or laughter,
but the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
to the gallows foot- and after!
Rudyard Kipling, from a section of his stories and poems, edited by John Beecroft, Doubleday (1956)
Each of us desires to have a friend like the Thousandth Man.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.”
Defining friendship is like trying to define beauty; often times it is in the eye of the beholder.
Some have defined a friend as “One who knows you well and loves you anyway.” “Someone who enjoys being around you and accepts you for who you are.” Someone you can bare your soul t, share your experiences with and not be afraid it will get around.” “Someone who knows you intimately, understands you and appreciates you.”
Friendship is not simply found or stumbled upon, but rather, it is built, and the quality of the materials you use will determine the quality of that friendship.
In fact, it is possible even for Christians to build friendships with one another that are spiritually superficial.
As Children of God we need to build biblical friendships that are established on biblical principles from God’s Word.
In doing this there is no better example we can find as a model for friendship than Jesus Christ our best friend.
Here in John chapter 15 Jesus speaks in depth about friendship and gives us some insights.
From this passage have comes some very great hymns:
“I have found a friend in Jesus.”
“What a friend we have in Jesus.”
And, “Jesus, what a friend for sinners.”
Jesus is our ideal friend. Through Him we can see how to be friends to one another. So, this morning I would like us to look at five characteristics of an ideal friend that we can see in the life of our best friend, Jesus.