Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

SERMON THREE
Christians Help Their Friends
INTRODUCTION: We all want friends, and we expect them to help us. We can
aid in this process by observing the Golden Rule and being a helping friend ourselves.
Today we will examine several ways we can help our friends.
I. By Example—Teach your friends what you know; reproduce what you are by
modeling :
A. The Christian life, especially in your attitude toward circumstances and others.
Paul was a role model to young Timothy and to those in the new churches that he
planted. He told them, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also an of Christ.” (I
Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17) Paul’s life exemplified:
1. Commitment to the cause of Christ despite persecution. (II
Corinthians 11:23-33; 12:10)
2. Refusal to become entangled with the attractions of this present world
(contentment with such things as he had). (Philippians 4:11; II Timothy
2:3-4)
3. Holiness (abstaining from evil and fleeing from even the appearance of
evil). (II Timothy 2:22)
B. Considerateness—Take into consideration their needs, desires, and feelings.
(Proverbs 27:14; Matthew 7:12)
C. Commitment/Loyalty
1. Stand by them in good times and bad. (Acts 11:25, 26)
2. Do not gossip about them. (Proverbs 16:28; 25:9, 18)
3. Warn them of harm. (I Samuel 20:9; Proverbs 27:6)
D. Unselfishness—Give them of your time, talent, or treasure.
1. Jonathan gave David his royal robes, sword, bow and belt. (I Samuel
18:4)
2. The Good Samaritan gave of his time to help the wounded traveler and
of his treasure to provide for him at the inn. (Luke 10:33-35)
3. Peter said to the beggar, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee.” (Acts 3:6)
II. By Encouraging and Motivating Them (I Timothy 1 and 2)
III. By Listening and Keeping Confidences (Proverbs 11:13; 17:9)
IV. By Giving Wise Counsel (Exodus 18:13-23)