Sermon Reflections from Going Places: True Friendship | Alex Hardt | August 4, 2024
What a great Sunday Service filled with new life, new hope and worship. It was wonderful to welcome Ryan and his family as they begin their ministry among us. Jamie from Church World Services spoke of their work with refugees and our partnership in providing backpack materials for needy students. Worship together from singing, the Word, announcements and communion were all shared as we looked to the Lord in praise. It is exciting to see God’s work growing and thriving as we seek to serve Him.
This month’s topics surround friendship will speak to who we are together in Christ and our relationship to each other. Pastor Alex wants to delve into the meaning of true friendship. The example from scripture he used was of the friendship between Jonathan and David. Their relationship shows us the depth of true friendship and the needed components of commitment and devotion. Jonathan was Saul’s heir to the throne had he been faithful to the Lord. However, the Lord took this away from him and gave the kingship to David. Saul decided to go his own way and save Agag the king of the Amalakites when the Lord had told him to destroy everyone and everything. Saul spared the king and saved the best spoils. God had the prophet Samuel anoint David to be the future king and removed his spirit from Saul. Saul continued to be king for many years and for 14 + years he pursued David seeking to kill him. Before all this happened Jonathan became friends with David. He looked up to him for his courage and daring in the face of Goliath and for his faith in the Lord. They made a covenant of friendship and commitment to each other. Little did they know what price they would pay for their friendship. Saul knew of Jonathan’s friendship with David and began to distrust him in regard to David and would keep his motives and movements secret. The story of their friendship and relationship with Saul and Samuel are detailed in 1 Samuel 18-20.
Looking at their friendship gives us an opportunity to examine friendships of your own. First of all they loved one another. This love was built upon mutual respect for each other’s accomplishments and a soul deep bond they formed. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” David and Jonathan had a deep connection to one another at the soul level. Have you ever experienced a soul level friendship? My friend Joan was like that for me. We met in our early 20’s in church choir, served together, studied and prayed together. When I was troubled, I knew I could always depend upon her to listen and pray for me. We loved each other with a deep devotion.
Besides the soul connection, Jonathan and David were loyal to each other. It was not just a when it was convenient but in hard times too. Saul wanted Jonathan to abandon David but he would not do it. He stuck with David, pleading for his life and reasoning with his father, and when that failed he helped him stay alive. 1 Samuel 19:4-5 “And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. 5 For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” I’m sure it would have been easier for Jonathan to give in to his powerful father but he did not. He stayed loyal to his friend who he knew was innocent. Standing in the face of opposition is not easy. But also the everyday standing up for the integrity of your friends when other criticize or desire to belittle them is hard too. Standing firm for them is an example for Christian character. Jesus asked his disciples to stand firm and witness to their faith in Him. Many times Paul and his friends were run out of town amidst the extreme criticism as they stood for Christ. They were also jailed, beaten, flogged, etc. for the cause of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul lists things he suffered for the cause of Christ, His friend and Savior. Jonathan was exhibiting Christ like behavior towards David. Shouldn’t we do likewise with our friends? My friend Joan gave me unwavering support during my divorce. On the day my ex-husband was to be re-married, she planned a lunch for just her and me at a special restaurant. She refocused me on a day of great sorrow and helped turn my sorrows away.
Lastly, Pastor Alex mentioned the selflessness and sacrificial elements to a true friendship. Jonathan put David’s needs over, above his own. He gave up the throne ship because he loved David and knew it was God’s will for Israel. David remained faithful to Jonathan and loyal to Saul. He did not seek to take the throne from Saul, even though he knew he was anointed and would be king after Saul’s death. He honored Jonathan and Saul after their death in battle. He eulogized them in 2 Samuel 1:24-27 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
These verses show David’s love for God’s chosen king and his friend. In spite of the circumstances David remained connected to Jonathan. Again, I am reminded of my friend Joan. She was unwavering in her support for my teaching, writing and serving. In our 40+ years of friendship, I never doubted her love and devotion to me. She was a true treasure that Christ gave me to help me through life’s really hard times and a friend to rejoice with in the Lord.
As a final note on this Jonathan and David friendship, Jonathan had a son that was crippled when he was 5 as he fell when fleeing with his nurse when news was received of his grandfather and father’s deaths. Later after David became king he inquired to see if there was anyone from Johnathan’s house still alive to which he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. 1 Samuel 9:3-8 “And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” David’s actions towards any relative of Jonathan’s was definitely ‘counter culture’. Most kings would want to eliminate all persons who might lay claim to the throne. NOT David! He was secure in the fact that God was in control and did not fear any threats. His actions toward Mephibosheth speak of David’s devotion, loyalty and love for his friend Jonathan. Who do you know that has relatives in your life that you can honor in your friend’s name?
Lots of lessons from David and Jonathan this week. Spend some time in the scriptures and see what other truths God reveals to you. Seek to apply them to your friends in the here and now in the name of Christ.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
What a great Sunday Service filled with new life, new hope and worship. It was wonderful to welcome Ryan and his family as they begin their ministry among us. Jamie from Church World Services spoke of their work with refugees and our partnership in providing backpack materials for needy students. Worship together from singing, the Word, announcements and communion were all shared as we looked to the Lord in praise. It is exciting to see God’s work growing and thriving as we seek to serve Him.
This month’s topics surround friendship will speak to who we are together in Christ and our relationship to each other. Pastor Alex wants to delve into the meaning of true friendship. The example from scripture he used was of the friendship between Jonathan and David. Their relationship shows us the depth of true friendship and the needed components of commitment and devotion. Jonathan was Saul’s heir to the throne had he been faithful to the Lord. However, the Lord took this away from him and gave the kingship to David. Saul decided to go his own way and save Agag the king of the Amalakites when the Lord had told him to destroy everyone and everything. Saul spared the king and saved the best spoils. God had the prophet Samuel anoint David to be the future king and removed his spirit from Saul. Saul continued to be king for many years and for 14 + years he pursued David seeking to kill him. Before all this happened Jonathan became friends with David. He looked up to him for his courage and daring in the face of Goliath and for his faith in the Lord. They made a covenant of friendship and commitment to each other. Little did they know what price they would pay for their friendship. Saul knew of Jonathan’s friendship with David and began to distrust him in regard to David and would keep his motives and movements secret. The story of their friendship and relationship with Saul and Samuel are detailed in 1 Samuel 18-20.
Looking at their friendship gives us an opportunity to examine friendships of your own. First of all they loved one another. This love was built upon mutual respect for each other’s accomplishments and a soul deep bond they formed. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 “As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” David and Jonathan had a deep connection to one another at the soul level. Have you ever experienced a soul level friendship? My friend Joan was like that for me. We met in our early 20’s in church choir, served together, studied and prayed together. When I was troubled, I knew I could always depend upon her to listen and pray for me. We loved each other with a deep devotion.
Besides the soul connection, Jonathan and David were loyal to each other. It was not just a when it was convenient but in hard times too. Saul wanted Jonathan to abandon David but he would not do it. He stuck with David, pleading for his life and reasoning with his father, and when that failed he helped him stay alive. 1 Samuel 19:4-5 “And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. 5 For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” I’m sure it would have been easier for Jonathan to give in to his powerful father but he did not. He stayed loyal to his friend who he knew was innocent. Standing in the face of opposition is not easy. But also the everyday standing up for the integrity of your friends when other criticize or desire to belittle them is hard too. Standing firm for them is an example for Christian character. Jesus asked his disciples to stand firm and witness to their faith in Him. Many times Paul and his friends were run out of town amidst the extreme criticism as they stood for Christ. They were also jailed, beaten, flogged, etc. for the cause of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Paul lists things he suffered for the cause of Christ, His friend and Savior. Jonathan was exhibiting Christ like behavior towards David. Shouldn’t we do likewise with our friends? My friend Joan gave me unwavering support during my divorce. On the day my ex-husband was to be re-married, she planned a lunch for just her and me at a special restaurant. She refocused me on a day of great sorrow and helped turn my sorrows away.
Lastly, Pastor Alex mentioned the selflessness and sacrificial elements to a true friendship. Jonathan put David’s needs over, above his own. He gave up the throne ship because he loved David and knew it was God’s will for Israel. David remained faithful to Jonathan and loyal to Saul. He did not seek to take the throne from Saul, even though he knew he was anointed and would be king after Saul’s death. He honored Jonathan and Saul after their death in battle. He eulogized them in 2 Samuel 1:24-27 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
These verses show David’s love for God’s chosen king and his friend. In spite of the circumstances David remained connected to Jonathan. Again, I am reminded of my friend Joan. She was unwavering in her support for my teaching, writing and serving. In our 40+ years of friendship, I never doubted her love and devotion to me. She was a true treasure that Christ gave me to help me through life’s really hard times and a friend to rejoice with in the Lord.
As a final note on this Jonathan and David friendship, Jonathan had a son that was crippled when he was 5 as he fell when fleeing with his nurse when news was received of his grandfather and father’s deaths. Later after David became king he inquired to see if there was anyone from Johnathan’s house still alive to which he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. 1 Samuel 9:3-8 “And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” David’s actions towards any relative of Jonathan’s was definitely ‘counter culture’. Most kings would want to eliminate all persons who might lay claim to the throne. NOT David! He was secure in the fact that God was in control and did not fear any threats. His actions toward Mephibosheth speak of David’s devotion, loyalty and love for his friend Jonathan. Who do you know that has relatives in your life that you can honor in your friend’s name?
Lots of lessons from David and Jonathan this week. Spend some time in the scriptures and see what other truths God reveals to you. Seek to apply them to your friends in the here and now in the name of Christ.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
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