The Gift of Friendship

This edition of PowerPoint with Jack Graham a little later in the program will tell you how you can get a copy of Brandon's book man of God. The first hears the message you give of friendship take your Bibles and turn with me to first Samuel 18 we are studying together significant episodes in the life of David, and you can spend a long time. The life of David. He is one of the most compelling interesting dynamic personalities in history.

Certainly when we read the Bible, we cannot miss David and he is described as a man after God's own heart because he did the will of God in his life to be a man after God's own heart is to be committed to following Christ, passionately, purposefully in your life every day. That's what it means to have a heart for God, and I will have a heart for God, I want my heart to reflect a love for Christ and a commitment to Christ that truly makes a difference in my life in my work and my relationships man aren't all that interested in relationships we get lot of the sleeve in the darkness and we drive to work, spend all day we come down our street. We had our garage door opener and we roll into the garage and shut the door and walked inside. Maybe work in our backyard which is sort of the moat around our castle and we rarely talk to our neighbors.

Many of us do not even know our neighbors may, we don't have relationships at the office we don't have a relationship and aren't in our neighborhoods because we just don't value friendship. We for some reason have the idea that we don't really need for it. We buck up and muscle up and think that we can make it on our own yet to do this is to divide a basic human need.

When God created the man he created the man said the man is good and then declared it is not good that man should live alone now primarily that speaks of the relationship of a man and woman God created Adam's wife, but the principal is also true in terms of relationships beyond the marriage. We were not meant to live alone and I don't want any of you to underestimate the value of friendship. The value of having a friend because they are these friends are vital parts of our lives. Thank God for friendship. A real friend is a true gift from God, not in our Scripture verse annual chapter 18 Saul is still the appointed king of Israel, though he is no longer the anointed king of Israel. David is the anointed King. He is the king and waiting.

David has slain the great giant, as we saw last time that we have.

We were together and is just a matter of time when David ascends to the throne and he will go through a tremendous battle against Saul and the carnal forces of Saul in order to ascend to the kingdom and to his kingship but all the while Saul who is the king is sinking deeper and deeper into sin and uselessness. After the slaying of the great giant and David became the most popular man in Israel. Saul became insanely and violently jealous of David and this young man is destined for the throne ends up in a tremendous battle against the king Saul desires ultimately to kill David and David begins running for his life like a fugitive hiding in deserts and in his living in the furnace of affliction.

God often puts us. By the way when he's making us into becoming a man of God.

He often puts us through the fire through difficult test even with people in order to strengthen us and prepare us for leadership responsibilities, but in the midst of all this conflict, in the midst of David's assent and rise to power, God did something for David that I pray God that you will allow God to do for you.

God gave David a friend a friend by the name of Jonathan and what an influence.

What an encouragement want to strengthen this friend was to David verse one of chapter 18 says this now when he finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit. Note that word knit it was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul, then looked out of verse three. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the rope that was on him and gave it to David with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. Let me just say parenthetically before we proceed in this conversation about this manly friendship Summit tried to take these verses and use it as an illustration for some kind of a perverted or homosexual relationship, not of that here. That is absolutely false. That is an abuse of the Scripture, and anyone who says that about the David Jonathan relationship is simply twisting the word of God.

So this is a godly relationship. It is a spiritual relationship and it is there but a it is a relationship that is perhaps unique in all of the Bible. This lifelong loving friendship between David the shepherd and Jonathan, the son of Saul.

Yes, Jonathan was the son of Solomon and that since he was a prince in Israel. And so now these two men meet and they are knitted together in heart and in so Samuel Taylor Coleridge said that a friend is like a sheltering tree and just as a tree must be planted and a tree must be cultivated and nurtured so should friendships like trees be planted in our lives that we should cultivate them and take care of the this is a day to take care of your friends because a friend is a rich resource from the hand of God. A rare find in a believer's life is important that you not try to have too many close friendships, wisdom tells us that friendship must be cultivated and you can really only cultivate a few DD print. In fact, there's a verse in Scripture and is Proverbs 18 verse 24. You may want to write it down and read to you this is from the new American Standard version says a man of many friends comes to rolling interesting versus a man of many friends comes really big Y because it takes time and effort and energy. Yes, even money to really cultivate friends. Friends are costly, it will cost you in in prayers and devotion and commitment and a friendship and the need for friendship is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength to hook up with godly men in friendships that are based upon a relationship in Christ to deny friendship is to deny your basic humanity. Listen to this, even Jesus, even Jesus had close intimate friends and he loved everyone any minister to people who came into his pathway, but he chose 12 men to be with him and these were his closest friends, but even among the 12 there were three Peter, James and John that were seemingly the inner circle of the disciples. God doesn't have favors. Jesus didn't play favorites, but he does have intimates and then even among the three.

There was one who went all the way to the cross. When Jesus died while Peter denied and others fled John the son of thunder. I mean, he was the guy to put us so angry. One day he said let's just pray that God will send down judgment upon these people and kill them all and he was the son of thunder, but he learned in a relationship with Jesus as he was so close to Christ to hear the heart of God for people. He would later write for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son became known as the son of thunder became known as the apostle of love, because Jesus changed his life and so friendship, God the son needed friendship. All of us need connection relationships in line you're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham in today's message the gift of friendship our world desperately needs men of God strong man who model gentleness lead with humility and speak the truth in love, we want to help you identify the traits of a real man of God by sending you Dr. Jack Graham's insightful book and of God our thanks for your gift today in it.

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You can also text PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop our E store gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.4G now it's Québec. Today's message the gifts of friendship. This friendship is related selfless friendship I see that in verse one for simulating it says that Jonathan was meant to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him noticeable phrase as his own soul to see that there as his own soul. Now every man, every woman for that matter has a basic love of self. We take care of ourselves.

To me is is healthy is wholesome to have a respect for yourself and even allow for yourself. Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor as what ourselves. I can't love my neighbor if I first do not have a healthy love and respect for myself. I can't love you until I first love me now. Those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We have an advantage because you see the Jesus in me can love the Jesus in you, and we have a an immediate connection. In Christ we have a spiritual relationship in Jesus. Though these must be developed and yet we had this advantage in life because we have these built-in friendships. This brotherhood in Christ. If I hate me if I don't like me what you think I'm a duty you I will dislike you, and a lot of guys this is a problem because we don't love yourself and the weather itself ought to be love that we love himself and we don't have the basic self-respect and self-esteem that we need and therefore because we don't have a self healthy self image. We are unable to love someone else our own wise our own kids, and certainly friends as we ought to love one another, but when I am secure within my self when I am strong in inwardly I no longer feel threatened by others to see that I no longer feel threatened by others, like David and Jonathan. Their souls were knit together and I can share myself because I feel I have something worthwhile to share the think would be just for a moment, what we have in Christ. Knowing Christ is knowing that we are accepted by him. Now when I accept the truth that God accepts me that salvation. And when I accept the fact that Christ has accepted me watch this high can accept me and that self-esteem is really Christ is the and when I accept the fact that God accepts me that I accept me and guess what happens next. I can accept others. Now when I read about Jonathan here. I am amazed that he became David's friend in the sense that Jonathan was the king son. He was salsa he was potentially the heir to the throne. And yet, knowing that David has been anointed by God to be the king, knowing that David is ascending in popularity and power in the nation. He loves, and there's no jealousy here, there's no in the here is no anger here. There's no putting David down in order that raised himself up. Jonathan was selfless it was.

It was a selfless relationship.

It was unconditional friendship. See this is what a real friend us a real friend elevates his friend but not only that it was a steadfast lasting friendship look down verse three Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David with his armor, even to the sword and his bow and his belt. Now a covenant was made it was unchangeable. It was on breakable put down. This friendship never change over in first Samuel 20 in verse 42 is what the Bible says about this covenant and Jonathan said to David going piece since we are both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, may the Lord be between you and me in between your descendents in my descendents forever so he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. In other words, this was a spiritual bond that last a lifetime. This friendship was sped fast over in first Samuel 23. This will give you a flavor of this friendship first Samuel 23 and verse 16. I love this verse. Then, by the way, this give your background this verse will read it.

David's down at this point he's discouraged.

Saul is hunting them down and it looks like the son of Saul's man about to take David out. He's hiding in caves. At this point he's struggling with with who he is what he supposed to be doing and that he was down down down there been like that Jonathan, Saul's son arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God that you love that hears this brother in the battle and he's down and Jonathan rather than thinking, oh I know in a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. David's down. Maybe he's out. Maybe this is my chance to get back in the picture here for the big job know he didn't putting down he built him up and he did it by strengthening his hand in God. He encouraged him, strengthen him in the Lord. Proverbs 17 verse 17 a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity is Proverbs 1717 a friend loves at all times. A brother is born for adversity, you will find out who your friends are your real friends are fall down and see he's there to pick you up, make a mistake and see who's there to encourage you to pick you up no matter what did in trouble. Find out who will be there to get you out of trouble.

A brother is born for adversity in a friend loves at all times listen to Proverbs 27 in verse 10 do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend or go to your brothers house of the dead, your calamity, for better, is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. It was a selfless friendship. It was a steadfast friendship.

But there's 1/3 thing.

It was a sacrificial friendship verse four the scene when Jonathan took off his robe that was on him and gave it to David with his armor, even to his sword in his bow and his belt. Jonathan invested his friend Jonathan shared he had much, he was a prince. David had very little.

He was just a shepherd and a friend is willing to give to another person in order to profit that person's life so real friendships are costly for Samuel 20 verse four Jonathan said to David, whatever you desire. I will do it for you that you need something buddy and I got your back.

Whatever you need your heart's desire. I will be there for you friendship.

This kind of loving, lasting friendship never seeks its own reward.

What a friend is Jonathan to David and ultimately David returned that friendship in many ways. When he loved the household of Jonathan and brought Jonathan's crippled son into his own house that's another story will get to later.

But there's one final thing.

In closing, it was a sanctifying friendship or sanctify means to make godly is a godly friendship and it built godliness in one another's lives in the chapters that follow. You will find David is a better man, a more godly man because of his friendship with Jonathan Trufant ran a real friend will make you a better person a better man.

Proverbs also says a companion of fools will be destroyed and bad company corrupts good morals. You hang out with fools you beautiful and that's why you better make sure that you choose your friends carefully and that you choose godly friends friends that will strengthen you, not just bodies that drag you down. The guys you hang out with the don't do anything for you, but men who will challenge you spiritually. Now my best friend is my wife and I hope you can say that your wife is your best friend, but be that as it may, not only do you need to say that your wife is your best friend, but every man needs some some men at least a manner to in their lives that can build them up and encourage them and strengthen them in their faith and hold them accountable in their lives.

Proverbs 2717 market down. As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend what is that mean a real friend will put an edge on your life will sharpen you and strengthen you will make you better, keener, if you will polishing you preparing you for spiritual battle and the best thing you can have is a friend who loves you enough that his purpose in your life would be to make a better man out of you a real friend.

Listen to this will make you more like Jesus. What a real friend us. It is a sanctifying relationship, and that includes being man enough and being friend enough to confront you when you do the wrong thing will love you enough never to forsake you. When you do the wrong thing, but will love you enough not to condone your wrongdoing and will call you out if you're doing the wrong thing. That's a friend is a Y building relationship with listening to PowerPoint project grant. In today's message the gift of friendship. Today's culture has so distorted the concept of masculinity that some even reject it as toxic better world doesn't need less manly men. We need more men of God. Men who lent Jesus make a loving husbands and fathers and lead as servants we'd like to help you uncover what God says about true masculinity by sending you Dr. Graham's book man of God yielding difficult insight into how you met in your life can live with purpose and passion putting Christ first in living radically for him. Then of God is our thanks for your gift to help proclaim God's word to PowerPoint to request your copy when you call today, winning hundred 79 546-276-1800 795-4627 can also text PowerPoint to 59789 and don't forget to visit Jack Graham.org where you can shop for E store. Give a gift online or sign up for Dr. Graham's free daily email devotional our website again is Jack Graham.Margie Pastor what is your PowerPoint for today. Everyone rose up friends usually your friends are the people you like to be around and the people you enjoy doing things with, and certainly having shared interest. Well, that's the starting place for friendship, but there are two things that you simply have to have in your good friends as a believer in Jesus Christ. It is important that these essentials be a part of your friendship factor. First, a good friend will be one who is faithful to God faithful to Jesus Christ.

This is the friend that delights in purity and whose influence will always be in the ways of God. The ways of truth and righteousness and because they love God they'll be the kind of friend that really cares. That really loves because the love of God is in their heart. So when you pick a friend, make sure they know Christ and are faithful to friend.

I'm talking about the people you're closest to. We all have acquaintances and we ought to make acquaintances and share friendship with everyone, especially people who need to know Jesus but I'm talking about your closest friends, your band of brothers or sisters, let these be men and women of God.

If someone wants to leave God out of their life then really that's not the kind of friend you need because that friend will not build you up, but ultimately could tear you down. The second thing you want is a friend that is faithful to you, you see a real friend will walk in when everybody else is walking out a good friend is committed to the best for you and the best in you without I know that friends like these are rare or hard to find. If you're looking for a friend, yet you have never met Jesus personally, then let me tell you he is the best friend. He is the greatest friend he will love you and care for you, like no one else, and remarkably, even though he is Lord of life even though he is God and knows everything about you, your failures, your mistakes, he walks in when the world walks out. He still loves you and will make you his own. As you look for friends.

Make sure that you come to Jesus first. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

He will forgive you of your sins give you a brand-new life never let you go and walk by your side and that is today's PowerPoint.

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