Message: “Proverbs The Importance of Friendship” from Pastor Joe
Joe Summers - February 23, 2020
Proverbs The Importance of Friendship
Proverbs - The importance of true friendship Lesson Objective: To look at true friendship as defined in the Book of Proverbs and to discuss why it is essential to develop strong friendships. Scripture: Proverbs: 18:24; 13:20: 27:6 Introduction: The book of Proverbs is said to be written by Solomon It is one of the books of poetry Solomon is considered to be a man of great wisdom and wealth 1 Kings 3: 7-15 Solomon asks for wisdom God gives him wisdom, wealth (unconditional) and long life( conditional) Solomon was wise even before he asked for wisdom Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know How often are we unwilling to realize what we really do not know? Solomon wrote three books Song of Solomon as a young man Proverbs in middle age Ecclesiates in older age Words of Wisdom ~ Proverbs 18:24- One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. How does this verse compare to Matthew 12: 47-49 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. ~ Proverbs 13:20 Birds of a feather flock together idiom People can tell a lot about me by observing my associates The best way to learn how to cook is to hang out in the kitchen with grandma and not by buying recipe books from so called experts A friend means well, even when he hurts you. But when an enemy puts his hand round your shoulder - watch out! ~ Proverbs 27:6 Be careful when someones calls you a friend and you just met True friendship is developed over time and trials Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Proverbs 24: 26 We need people around us who will tell us the truthand not what we want to hear Are we willing to hear the truth? As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Priverbs 27:17 We must want to always get better. One of the best ways to get better is to have someone around us who pushes us. Other verses to study about friendship Proverbs 12:26 – “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 18:24 – “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 9: 8-9 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. Proverbs 27: 10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.