True Friendship
This Sunday at CDC, we had the privilege of our own Chairman and Elder Quah Poh Keat give the sermon on 1st Samuel 18, based on the wonderful friendship between David and Jonathan. It was a wonderful subject which teaches us about the qualities of friendship:-
- Our Lord Jesus shows us
- We can show Jesus
- We can show to others
(1) The first basis of a truly wonderful friendship – trust in God
The first and most important basis of a truly wonderful friendship is a common love, belief, trust and hope in God. Both Jonathan and David loved God and trusted in Him no matter what the circumstances. It was Jonathan who uttered the famous words “Nothing can hinder God from saving, whether by many or by few” before proceeding to rout an entire Philistine outpost with only his trusted armor bearer at his side. Likewise, David, with only five small stones defeated the giant Goliath, with those immortal words “You come against me with spear and sword and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of all the armies of Israel
As we continue to put our hope in trust in our Father in Heaven, we will grow closer in friendship with our Lord Jesus, and also grow in our fellowship with our fellow believers who love God like we do.
(2) The generosity of a friend
Jonathan was completely generous with David. He let David have his most precious things - his armor, bow and sword.
Our Lord Jesus is completely generous with us, giving us all good things, even His life for our sake. We too, need to learn to be a friend to Jesus, giving generously of our time, money and resources to the work of God, and be a great blessing to others.
(3) Friends stand up for each other.
Jonathan stood up for David against his own father, Saul.
Jesus stands up for us as our great High Priest in Heaven. He is our defender, our advocate, who speaks on our behalf to save our lives from those who condemn us. We too need to acknowledge Jesus before men, and stand up for Him. Likewise, we must also learn to stand up for each other, defending our friends when they are in need.
(4) Friends take risks for each other
Jonathan took great risk in seeking out David in the desert. Any one of David’s men could have mistakenly killed him, and there were also the Philistines and wild animals. Jonathan also took great risk in standing up for David. His father Saul even tried to kill him in his madness.
Jesus risked and endured rejection, suffering and ultimately death for our sake, because He considered us our friends. We need to learn to take risks for Jesus too, if we really consider Him our friend. Similarly, we need to take risks to help others, even rejection and persecution as we seek to bring Christ to our friends who do not know Him.
(5) True friends are not afraid of their friends becoming better than them, they want the best for their friends
Jonathan knew that David would be king, and that he would only be second place to David. However, he did not mind at all, but wanted the best for David. He was truly a great and humble friend.
Our Lord Jesus, despite being the great Son of God, lowered Himself to be mere man and slave for our sake, that we might be saved. We need to place Jesus as first in our lives. He must become greater, we must become less. In the same way, we need to look to our friends interests, hoping the best for them and helping them, even if it means surpassing us. There’s no room for “kiasuism” in the kingdom of God
(6) True friends give encouragement in a time of need
David was down and out, hunted as a fugitive in the desert, far from God’s temple and his family. Jonathan sought David out and encouraged him….. David really needed a confirmation that God was still with him, and Jonathan gave that. He was exactly as his name means – gift of God.
Our Lord Jesus encouraged and commissioned Peter, even though he was in despair for denying the Lord three times. Our Lord stood beside Paul and encouraged him in his hour of need. He continues to encourage us today, in spite of our weakness and sin, spurring us on to the right path. We need to remember to bless and thank the Lord for all He does, and also be an encouragement to our friends, always looking out to strengthen and encourage someone who may need it.
(7) Friends stay loyal to the end.
Although Jonathan disagreed with his father, King Saul, he was still loyal to him and fought by his side to the very end. He was loyal to David till the end, and David too was loyal to Jonathan, even beyond his death, for David showed great kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, even inviting him to eat at the king’s table.
Finally, our Lord Jesus is always faithful and loyal to us. He never turns away anyone who comes to Him. We too need to remain completely loyal to Jesus, and stick by our faith till the very end. Likewise, we also need to be loyal to our friends, and be committed to them always.
God bless,
Jason
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