"A Friend Loveth at All Times"

Proverbs 17:17

I. Introduction
One thing that never changes is the NEED for Friendship:
Prov. 17:17 - "A FRIEND loveth at all times….."
How would YOU evaluate YOURSELF as a Friend???
There is a story in the Word of God about Friendship - allow me to share.

II. The Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
READ - Mark 2:1-12
In this story we find 3 Kinds of Friends:
The Helpless One
The Helping Ones
The Healing One

The Helpless One – man who sick of the palsy - completely paralyzed; unable to help himself; dependent upon others.
There will always be those who are less fortunate than YOU.
There will always be those who must depend upon others.
There will always be choices to make concerning such people.

The Helping Ones - four (4) friends who helped their paralyzed friend..
These four (4) provide us an example of True Friendship -
Notice 3 Aspects of Their Friendship -
Their Motive - No selfishness. They were simply concerned; compassionate; & caring!
Their Method - Required a Joint-Effort; Cooperation; No Jealousy - "Each Man Had a CORNER to Bear" - If any of the four (4) failed to do his part, the job would not get done.

Illustration - Cathy Rigsby (1972 Olympic gymnast) After being defeated, her mother said 10 words that she said she would never forget - "Doing your best is more important than being the best!"

Their Manner - They were Persistent; Overcame Obstacles; Did not give up!
It has been said, "Some people make enemies instead of friends because it is less trouble."

The Healing One - The Lord Jesus Christ
I would not be much of a friend to you if I did not take one more opportunity to tell you about the greatest Friend of All - Jesus Christ.
Like the four Helping Ones who bore their Helpless friend, Jesus Bore YOUR Sins and Mine upon Calvary’s Cross!
His Motive was simple: He Loves YOU & me.
His Method was that of cooperation with the Father as He "Bore His Corner" and lay down His life for our sins.
His Manner was the same as the four Helping Ones - He did not allow Satan’s attempts to deter Him from accomplishing His task! He drank of the bitter Cup and "for the glory set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame!

"A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Prov. 18:24

"Greater Love hath no man than this - that a man lay down His life for his friend!" - John 15:13

My sincere desire is that each of YOU will consider making HIM your greatest Friend of all.

III. Conclusion
Poem: I went out to FIND a Friend,
But could not FIND one there.
I went out to BE a Friend,
And Friends were Every where!
I consider each of YOU my friend; I hope that YOU consider me yours.
Remember, Friendship lasts a lifetime!
I pray God will bless YOU by His grace and mercy in the days ahead.
Prayer

Sermon Outline Index

Please sign our Guest Book!