I Will Be a Friend to Jesus

Introduction

A. There are all kinds of friends: old, new, close, distant, and even best friends.

B. Perhaps some friends seem better than others. What makes a good friend?

C. To whom shall we be a friend?

Body

I. We must be a true friend.

A. A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).

B. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).”

C. “Every man is a friend to one who gives gifts (Proverbs 19:6).”

D. The king will be a friend to one who “loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips (Proverbs 22:11).”

E. A friend gives hearty counsel, does not forsake another, and sharpens his countenance (Proverbs 27:9-10,17).

F. A friend is trustworthy (Micah 7:5-7; Jeremiah 9:4-6).

II. We must follow the example of true friends.

A. Abraham was called the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23; Genesis 15:6).

B. Pilate was accused of not being a friend to Caesar by wanting to let Jesus go (John 19:12).

C. Was Judas truly a friend of Jesus (Matthew 26:47-50; Psalm 41:9; 55:12-13)?

D. Was Peter truly a friend of Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35,69-75)?

E. Paul became a friend to all that he might save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).

F. Perhaps the best example of a true Friend is Jesus (Matthew 11:19; 9:9-13).

III. We must choose our friends wisely.

A. We are a friend to Jesus if we keep His commandments (John 15:9-17).

B. To be a friend to Jesus, we cannot be a friend of the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 1:4; 6:14; Luke 16:13).

Conclusion

A. To be a true friend to Jesus, we must understand what it truly means to be a friend.

B. He showed us how to be a friend, and we must follow His example.

C. We must choose to be His friend, and not to be a friend of the world, by following His commandments.

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully