The Friendship of David and Jonathan
Mark Mayberry

Introduction

The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself (1 Samuel 18:1; cf. also 20:17). David reciprocated in his affection for Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:25-27). In like manner, Christians should also be knit together in love (Colossians 2:1-3).

 Despite the evil surmising of some, there is nothing untoward or unseemly in the friendship of David and Jonathan. In fact, the exact opposite is true: The noble sons of Jesse and Saul foreshadow the characteristics of Christian love and brotherly affection.

 “The modesty, piety, and courage of David were so congenial to the character of the amiable Jonathan, that they attracted his most cordial esteem and affection; so that the most intimate friendship subsisted between them from that time, and they loved each other with pure hearts fervently. Their friendship could not be affected by the common vicissitudes of life; and it exemplifies by fact what the ancients have written on the subject: ‘Friendship is an entire sameness, and one soul: a friend is another self’” [Smith].

There are those who pass like ships in the night
who meet for a moment, then sail out of sight.
With never a backwards glance of regret
folks we know briefly, then quickly forget.
Then there are those friends who sail together
through quiet waters and stormy weather
helping each other through joy and through strife
and they are the kind that give meaning to life.
[Author Unknown from the 1800s].

Marked by Covenant

The hearts of David and Jonathan were knit together by covenant (1 Samuel 18:1-3; 20:8-9; 20:12-17; 23:15-18). Many would violate the covenant of marriage (Proverbs 2:16-17; Malachi 2:13-16). Others would violate the covenant of friendship (Proverbs 27:6, 9-10; cf. also 17:17; 18:24). Let us also be loyal to God (Hosea 6:4-6) and to one another (Proverbs 21:21).

 Marked by Courage

The hearts of Jonathan and David were knit together by courage. David manifested great courage in confronting Goliath (1 Samuel 17:31-49). Jonathan fearlessly challenged the Philistine horde (1 Samuel 13:1-4; 14:1-15). Let us also be courageous in defense of the truth (Joshua 1:5-9; Acts 4:8-18; Philippians 1:12-14).

 Marked by Conviction

The hearts of Jonathan and David were knit together by conviction. When King Saul sought David’s life, Jonathan spoke well of David, seeking to reason with his father and dissuade him from shameful action (1 Samuel 19:1-7; see also 20:30-34). Let us also manifest conviction, standing up for what is right (2 Timothy 1:6-12), and standing beside those who faithfully serve the Lord (2 Timothy 1:16-18).

 Marked by Compassion

The hearts of Jonathan and David were knit together by compassion. Separated because of Saul’s malignant hatred, David and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together (1 Samuel 20:35-42). David’s requiem for the fallen king and his son is a unforgettable expression of sympathetic grief (2 Samuel 1:17-27). Let us also manifest loving compassion toward one another (Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:12-14).

 Conclusion

Unity among brethren is an unparalleled blessing (Psalm 133:1-3). However, friendship is no foil for error (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). True friendship respects truth (John 15:12-15). We are knit together as we conform to God’s pattern and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

 Sources:

Smith = Jerome H. Smith, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, (Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996).

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Self-Examination

____ Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am a better person than I really am? Am I a hypocrite?

____ Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

____ Do I confidentially pass on to another what has been told to me in confidence?

____ Can I be trusted?

____ Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habit?

____ Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

____ Do I read the Bible every day?

____ Am I enjoying prayer?

____ When did I last speak to somebody else with the object of trying to win that person to Christ?

____ Do I pray about the money I spend?

____ Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

____ Do I disobey God in anything?

____ How do I spend my spare time?

____ Do I thank God that I’m not like other people? Am I proud?

____ Is there anybody whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

____ Do I grumble or complain constantly?

-Anonymous

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. (2 Cor. 13:5)

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Obedience: Hereby We Know

1. By His suffering, Jesus learned (was accustomed to) obedience. Eternal salvation is given to all who obey Him, Heb. 5:8-9 (Acts 10:34-35).
2. Obedience is the action of faith, Heb. 11:8 (1 Sam. 15:22; Jer. 7:23-24; Acts 3:22-23).
3. God has promised that when we obey Christ we can be assured / confident of our standing with Him. (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 5:1-2)

I. BY OUR OBEDIENCE WE KNOW…

  A. …That We Know Him, 1 Jno. 2:3-4; 2 Ths. 1:8.
  B. …That We Love Him, Jno. 14:15, 21, 23-24; Mk. 12:29-30.
  C. …That We Abide in Him, 1 Jno. 2:5-6; 1 Jno. 2:24; 3:24; 2 Jno. 9.
  D. …That We Have Eternal Life, Heb. 5:9 (Matt. 7:21; Acts 20:34-35; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Lk. 17:10; Rom. 6:16-18; Eph. 2:8-9; Jas. 2:22, 24).

II. BY OUR OBEDIENCE, GOD KNOWS…

  A. …That We Fear Him, Gen. 22:1-2, 7-8, 12-14 (Exo. 9:28-30, 34-35); Isa. 29:13; Micah 3:11-12.
  B. …That We Believe Him, cf. Heb. 3:16-4:2, 6 (Lk. 6:46). Psa. 78:56-57; Gen. 18:19.

Conclusion

1. Does God know you because of your obedient faith?
2. Do you know God due to your obedience faith?
3. Wrath is reserved for those who do not obey the truth, Rom. 2:8 (2 Ths. 1:8-9).
4. Obey Jesus now and always to be assured of your salvation in Christ.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Homosexual Marriage: Deconstructing the Bible

   To justify homosexual marriage, its defenders must deconstruct the Bible and its teachings on marriage and homosexuality. (“Our Mutual Joy,” Lisa Miller, Newsweek, Dec. 15, 2008)

I. THE BIBLE ON HOMOSEXUALITY.

  A. Homosexuality is Sin, Gen. 19:20-21; Lev. 18:22-23; 20:13; Rom. 1:24-27.
  B. It is Fornication, 1 Cor. 6:9; Jude 7.
  C. The Traits of Fornication therefore, can be attributed to Homosexuality.

II. DECONSTRUCTING THE BIBLE: TRANSFORMING HOMOSEXUALITY INTO ACCEPTED PRACTICE, Isa. 5:20; Prov. 17:15.

  A. Argument: The Bible Allows Homosexual Marriages.
    1. “Deny the literal, final nature of Bible.”
    2. “Jesus didn’t say ‘not to’ have it.”
  B. Argument: Many Marriages in the Bible were far from the Biblical Ideal.
    1. “Deconstruct Bible pattern: man-woman.”
    2. “Deconstruct roles within marriage to be defined by society, not by literal word of God.”
  C. Argument: Only Violent Type of Homosexuality is Condemned in the Bible.
    1. “The Bible only condemns lust and violent expressions of homosexual conduct.”
    2. “David and Jonathan are offered as examples of homosexual love.”  (see pg. 1)
    3. “Love is defined as a committed relationship, not as obedience to God’s will.”
  D. Argument: Bible Believers are Not Consistent in Their Lives about Marriage.
    1. “Divorce and adultery.”
  E. Argument: People Get Married “For Their Mutual Joy.”
    1. When homosexual relationships bring joy they are just as acceptable as heterosexual marriage.

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Putting Your Trust in Men
Joe R. Price

Bernard L. Madoff was once the chairman of the NASDAQ stock market. He was a successful businessman. He was powerful. He was knowledgeable. He was respected. He was trusted. His investments were a “sure thing”, and investors trusted him with their money for the handsome returns his investments made. He didn’t disappoint – for a while.

     Now, he is charged with operating a ponzi scheme that cost investor at least $50 billion – the largest fraudulent investment scheme in history.

     Cities, charities, banks and other businesses as well as individuals lost huge amounts of money because they trusted Madoff without investigating what he said and what he seemed to deliver.

     There is any number of lessons to learn here. One is revealed by asking ourselves this probing question: to whom do I trust my soul? Your soul is worth far more than $50 billion. Yet, like these investors, we can entrust our souls to those who cannot bring us an eternal return (cf. Jer. 17:5); only Jesus can be trusted to do that (Jno. 14:6; 8:12). He is the one we must love and follow – not the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25; 1 Jno. 2:15-17).

     We also learn from this sad tale that reputation, power, success, knowledge and the respect of men do not mean the teachings of a preacher, a teacher or an elder are to be trusted without examination. The apostle teaches us not to think of men above what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). A “well known” preacher may teach the truth, but he might be mistaken; he may even be deceptive (2 Pet. 2:1-3). We must test the spirits to see if they are from God with the standard of apostolic truth – not by the standard of “reputation” or “knowledge” or “personality” or “eloquence” or any other man-made measurement (1 Jno. 4:1, 6).

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