Sermon: Spiritual Friendship
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 18:1–4; 20:35–42
Quotes for Reflection
Angela Duckworth, “I Study Successful People. They Have One Habit in Common”. The New York Times 08.28.26
You might think I’d love the image of the solo striver triumphing over every challenge. After all, I’m a psychologist who wrote a book called “Grit” about the necessity of passion and perseverance for achieving long-term goals. The truth is, I hate it. Without exception, every high performer I’ve studied credits a host of supporters for success. Research has found that a willingness to ask for help is crucial to achievement.
Richard Phillips, 1 Samuel
When we consider the bond of friendship that grew between Jonathan and David, there was not much of a natural basis for their close relationship. They were not close in age, background, or experiences. What was their common bond? They were bound together by their faith in the Lord. Jonathan’s heart was knit to David because David embodied the things most precious to his heart.
William Blaikie, Expository Lectures on the Book of 1 Samuel
In the case of Jesus Christ, we have all the noble qualities of Jonathan in far higher excellence than his, and we have this further consideration, that for us He has laid down His life, and that none who receive His friendship can ever be separated from His love.
C.S. Lewis, Four Loves
In reality, a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting—any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, ‘Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,’ can truly say to every group of Christian friends, ‘You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.’ The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing. At this feast it is He who has spread the board and it is He who has chosen the guests. It is He, we may dare to hope, who sometimes does, and always should, preside.
Application Questions
1. Consider someone you would call a good friend. What makes them a good friend?
2. As we grow older, friendship can become more challenging, even in the church. Why do you think that is? How have you sought to overcome those challenges?
3. How is God speaking to you about your friendships in the church? What is one action you could take that might make a significant difference?