FRIENDzone - What Context? (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
Two things are essential in this world — life, and friendship. Both must be prized highly, and not undervalued. —Augustine, theologian & early church father
Friendship is the highest happiness of all moral agents. —Jonathan Edwards, 18th Century American Pastor
Nothing is more refreshing to the soul (except communication with God Himself), than the company and society of a friend…a great mercy that we have any friends—What would this world be without them? Friendship is the life of life. —Esther Edwards Burr, Jonathan Edward’s daughter & mother to Aaron Burr
Do you get it?
What context do you have friendship?
Results from FRIENDzone Survey…
Where is the context of your friendships?
Church — 30.8%
Family — 19.8%
School/College — 13.2%
Work — 10.4%
Recreation/Hobbies — 9.3%
Neighborhood — 2.2%
You need friendship in the context of
.
Friends are always “about something” and Christian friendship is, at its core, about Jesus Christ. —Drew Hunter
1Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. —1 Samuel 18:1-4
The lead-up to this passage is important…
David was anointed
David killed
David needed someone to
his joy with.
This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship…doubles our joys. —J.C. Ryle
Rejoice with those who rejoice. —Romans 12:15
David needed someone to
him.
This world is full of sorrow because it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it is a friend. Friendship halves our troubles and doubles our joys. —J.C. Ryle
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. —Romans 12:15
9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? —Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
12Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:12
David needed someone who knew what
was doing and moved in that direction.
4And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. —1 Samuel 18:4
38So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. —1 Samuel 17:38-39
Put yourself in the right
Be