HOW TO BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

TEXT- 1 SAMUEL 18:1-5

INTRODUCTION

A GROUP OF BOY SCOUTS WERE SITTING AROUND A CAMPFIRE. THEIR LEADER MAS LECTURING ON THE HAZARDS OF CAMPING. "BOYS," HE WARNED, "YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SNAKES. IF A SNAKE BITES SOMEONE ON THE LEG, JUST TAKE OUT YOUR KNIFE AND CRISSCROSS THE PLACE WHERE THE SNAKE BIT HIM AND SUCK OUT THE POISON. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?" "YES SIR," ONE SCOUT SPOKE UP. "YOU SAY THAT IF A SNAKE BITES SOMEONE ON THE LEG, YOU CUT IT WITH YOUR KNIFE AND SUCK OUT THE POISON. WHAT DO YOU DO IF A SNAKE BITES YOU ON THE POSTERIOR?" "WELL SON," REPLIED THE SCOUT LEADER, "THAT'S WHEN YOU FIND OUT WHO YOUR REAL FRIENDS ARE."

THIS MORNING THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "HOW TO BUILD FRIENDSHIPS," AND OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN 1 SAMUEL 18:1-5.

REAL FRIENDSHIPS; INTIMATE FRIENDSHIPS DO NOT JUST HAPPEN OR COME ABOUT BY CHANCE, THEY ARE BUILT.

SOME PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING ANY FRIENDS, YET THEY ARE UNWILLING TO EXPEND THE TIME AND ENERGY NEEDED TO BUILD A QUALITY FRIENDSHIP.

QUALITY FRIENDSHIPS MUST BE BUILT UPON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.

AS WE EXAMINE THE FRIENDSHIP THAT EXISTED BETWEEN JONATHAN AND DAVID, I WOULD LIKE US TO NOTICE FIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS.