Friendship
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: Proverbs
Proverbs 13:20; 22:24-25; 18:24; 17:17; 27:6 (ESV)
13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
22:24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
17:17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Sermon Outline
Wisdom helps us to see…
1. We need good friends
Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 22:24–25 [24] Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, [25] lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
2. We need to be a good friend
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, 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 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
3. We have a perfect friend
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.John 15:15-16 [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, it is a beautiful gift that you call us your friends. Your love for us has been constant. Your commitment to us has never wavered. Everything you do is for our ultimate good. But we confess that we are not the friend that you have been to us. Too often, our commitment to you depends on our circumstances. Rather than loving others with faithful commitment, we often keep them at arm’s length. Forgive us for receiving the benefits of your friendship while neglecting you. Help us to see that your faithful wounds were for our good, so that, having received your friendship, we might become the faithful friends you call us to be. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
Proverbs says we can “learn the ways” of the people we're closest to. Where have you seen that happen whether in your own life or in someone else's?
The Bible teaches us that we shouldn't isolate themselves from the world but should be intentional about our closest friendships. How do you personally balance those two callings? Where do you find that balance challenging?
Friendship is more about commitment rather than convenience. How is that different from the way our culture often thinks about friendship? Where do you see relationships becoming transactional?
How do you discern the difference between a boundary that gives protection from an unhealthy relationship and one that simply avoids discomfort?
Jesus calls his disciples “friends” in John 15. What does it mean to you that the Son of God chooses to call you, his friend?
As someone who has been loved by the perfect Friend, what is one practical way you can reflect that friendship this week? Is there someone you need to pursue, forgive, encourage, serve, or speak truth to in love?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?