Tough Issues | Friendship: Mike Popenhagen
Tough Issues: Friendship
Opening Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NIV (
Why Friendship Is Important
Healthy friendships is a key predictor of happiness.
2. Friendships influence the direction & quality of life.
3. Friendship gives us a sense of belonging and purpose.
Developing Deep Friendships
Avoid friendships that are not moving in the same direction as you.
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. NIV
2. Godly friends have your best interest at heart.
Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. NIV
Proverbs 27:9 …the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. NIV
3. Godly friends strengthen each other in times of hardship.
Job 2:11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. NIV
4. Commit to developing deep friendships.
John 15:12-13 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NIV
