Closer Than A Brother
CLOSER THAN A BROTHER
1 Samuel 23:16(NLT) – Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
Proverbs 18:24 – A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
1 Samuel 18:1 – The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David.
1. BE SELF-SACRIFICING
1 Samuel 18:4 – And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
Spirit-Filled Life Bible – In giving David his royal robe, his armor, his sword, Jonathan was giving his authority of succession to his father’s throne to David.
Norman Geisler – Jonathan willingly sacrificed the throne for David.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Dale Carnegie – You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
Derrick – I can’t say I’m a hero, I’d just say I care for my niece and nephews.
2. BE COVENANT-KEEPING
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
1 Samuel 20:8 – Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you.
Deal Kindly – Hesed: Covenant love, loyal love, faithful, steadfast love
1 Samuel 20:15 – Promise that you will not cut off your kindness from my house.
God- honoring relationships are faithful.
3. BE ENCOURAGING
1 Samuel 23:16 – Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
Encourage – You have the ability to accomplish what is needed.
You have what it takes in the Lord.
1 Samuel 23:17 – Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel.
Don’t give up. Don’t go back. Press forward in Jesus’ Name.
4. BE CHRIST – HONORING
1 Samuel 20:42 – Go in peace….. May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 -10: Two are better than one…………… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Jesus Christ is the third strand in the threefold cord.
Jesus wants to be the third strand in every friendship, every marriage, every relationship.
Jesus holds us together.
Discussion Questions:
1. Who are some of the friends God has brought into your life?
2. How has the Lord used them to impact your life?
3. As you think about the friendship of David and Jonathan, what can you do differently to be a better friend?
4. Is there someone in your life right now who needs an encouraging word from the Lord? Are you willing to be that person to bring that word to them?
5. Do you struggle to follow through on promises you make? Do you know why?
6. If you have not done so, would you be willing to invite Jesus into each of the relationships in your life?