Every man should keep a cemetery in which

to bury the faults of his friends.

Everybody should have at least two friends –

one to talk to and one to talk about.

God gives us our relatives, but thank heaven

we can choose our friends.

A good friend is like a tube of toothpaste –

comes through in a tight squeeze.

You can win more friends with your ears

than with your mouth.

False friends are those who roll out the carpet

for you one day – and pull it out from under

you the next.

A friend is one who walks in when the rest

of the world walks out.

A true friend says nasty things to your face,

instead of saying them behind your back.

It’s better to keep a friend from falling than

to help him up after he falls.

Flattery looks like friendship – just like a wolf looks like a dog!

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

“No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus

Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;

I would tell you how He changed my life completely –

He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,

There’s no other friend so kind as He;

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me –

O how much He cared for me!

Real friendship starts with God

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24b (NASV)

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.

Proverbs 18:24a (KJV)

A man of many friends comes to ruin...

Proverbs 18:24a (NASV)

Every person has: 1. Acquaintances

2. Casual friends

3. Close friends

Unsaved Friends:

Should a Christian befriend lost people?

ABSOLUTELY!

Note these two truths: 1. Lost people should not become close personal

friends

– The most important quality to look for in a close friend is personal godliness.

I am a companion of all those who fear Thee. And of those who keep Thy precepts.

Psalm 119:63

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20

Note these two truths: 1. Lost people should not become close personal

friends

2. Christians can lead the lost to Christ if they reach out in love and kindness to them.

Church Friendships

“We are mistaken if we think that people are simply looking for friendly churches; they are looking for friends.”

David E. Garland

A Friendly Church is Hard to Find

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone...”

Genesis 2:18

Philos

Our Lord Jesus is the greatest example of being a friend and of showing us friendship.

“I have called you friends...”

John 15:15b

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13

Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds...

Hebrews 10:24

Jesus was both Intentional and Purposeful

We need provoking friendships with one another here at GLBC!

Dr. Charles Lowery Friends we need:

• Those to look up to

• Those on our own level that we can let our hair down with

• Those that we can reach down to help up

Dr. Charles Lowery Friends we need:

• Give cheer

• Give a listening ear

• Give a kick in the rear

A Practical View to be a Friend in GLBC

If our focus is upon being a friend instead of

having a friend, what would our congregation be like?

A Practical View to be a Friend in GLBC 1. I need to pray that I will be a friend.

2. I need to purpose that I will be a friend.

3. I need to plan that I will be friend.

4. I need to prioritize that I will be a friend.

5. I need to provide so that I will be a friend.