A case study of friendship - 1 Samuel 20

Today’s sermon 1 Sam 20 “A Case-Study of Friendship”

Intro: Describing, seeing, tasting

 

1) Godly Friendship offers Security

20v1 “he (Saul) is trying to kill me”;

• David flees to Jonathan
• Jonathan is the next in line to the throne
• But David is safe because Jonathan loves him

 

Pr 17v17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for times of adversity”

• Church family to be a place of safety, belonging and security

 

• Jesus embodying and empowering this security (He is our refuge)

 

2) Godly Friendship requires Humility

1 Sam 18v1-4: “And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.”

• Jonathan serves David
• Jonathan wants what God wants for David
• What a contrast with Saul’s attitude (18v89)

 

Philip 2 v 6-8 “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”

• Jesus embodying and empowering this humility

 

• Church family to be filled with people wanting the best for one another

 

 

3) Godly Friendship is built on Loyalty

20v32 “Why should he (David) be put to death? What has he done? Jonathan asked his father.”

• Jonathan’s loyalty to David disrupted his family relationships
• Jonathan’s loyalty to David led to action and risk
• Jonathan’s loyalty to David meant protection and commitment

 

“Jesus is with us against our sin rather than against us because of our sin.”

• Jesus embodying and empowering this humility

 

• Loyalty to be clearly seen and felt in the Church family

 

Conclusion: Being a Jonathan (Gift from God!)

 

Memory verse: 1 Sam 20 v 42

Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD.”

 

Read 1 Sam 20

Why is security such a needed part of friendship? How does the gospel make us secure enough to share our whole lives (the good and the bad) with one another?

Read 1 Sam 18 v 1-4. How does Jonathan show humility here? Why is humility needed for us to love each other like Jesus does?

How loyal is Jesus to you? What would loyalty look like in our friendships?

Bonus question: Why must we approach Jesus the way Jonathan approached David?