A Model Of True Friendship 1 Samuel 20:1-1

A Model Of True Friendship (DAVID AND JONATHAN) 1 Samuel 20:1-1

How do you know a true friend?

A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under an eight-point buck.
"Where’s Harry?" he was asked.
"Harry had a stroke of some kind. He’s a couple of miles back up the trail."
"You left Harry laying there, and carried the deer back?"
"Well," said the hunter, "I figured no one was going to steal Harry."

1. True Friendship Involves a Mutual Commitment

1Sa 18:1-4 (Read)

a. In the natural realm -- both young, strong, brave warriours,

loved the outdoors, natural leaders

b. In the spiritual realm -- zeal for the Lord

2. True Friendship Is Based on God-Given Love (fruit of the Holy Spirit)

3. Can Be Trusted During Times of Danger and Confusion (20:1-3)

a. Whom would we seek out for help? What type of help would we get?

b. Who would seek us out? What type of help would they get?

c. Importance of loyalty

4. Willing to Do Anything for One Another --

Even to the Point of Death (20:4-7)

5. Expects to have Complete Honesty; No Hidden Agendas (:8-9)

6. Does Not Hesitate to Make and Keep Promises (:10-17)

no rivalry, but desire to see God’s best worked out for each other;

Desire to see your friend vindicated and enemies put down

Desire to reap some benefits from the friendship as well
sometimes promises need to be repeated and commitments reaffirmed

Love must always be central (v.:17)

7. Trusts the Judgment of One Another (:18-23)

Friends can keep a secret

Looks to the Lord for wisdom in evaluating and making judgments

8. Does Not Wilt Under Pressure or Turn Back (:24-31)

9. True friends Share the Full Range Responsibility

True Friends have their Prospectives in order!

In a Deadwood, South Dakota museum this inscription left by a troubled old prospector:

"I lost my gun. I lost my horse. I am out of food. The Indians are after me. But I've got all the gold I can carry!"