My City Mixtape: Lean on Me

What is true friendship?

This week Pastor Danny started his message sharing a story about of the many dumb decisions he – almost – made with some friends in high school (you should definitely listen to the full story in the podcast this week!). The point he made was with every stupid, not-so-smart decision he made, three really great conversations, challenges, and moments would come out of it because of the brotherhood he surrounded himself with and the friends he leaned on.

BROTHERHOOD

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)

In order to explain friendships, a perfect example to visualize and look back on in the Bible is the friendship of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel. Here’s a little bit of background of who they were:

• David – Shepherd, the one who killed Goliath, described as “a man after God’s own heart”, anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel
• Jonathan – son of King Saul, heir to the throne by blood/family

When looking at the friendship between David and Jonathan, these are men of seemingly conflicting forces with contradicting lives, yet they are “knit” to each other’s souls in brotherhood.

Three Principles of Friendships

• Ride or Die – “Now when 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” (1 Samuel 18:1). These two loved each other as themselves, overlooked offenses, etc. There was nothing people could say or do to change or take away their friendship.
• Armed for Battle – Jonathan took off his robe and gave it to David, symbolizing David being invited into the family, no longer riding alone and now being under palace protection. Jonathan even gave him his sword and bow to equip David in case he does end up fighting alone. (1 Samuel 18:4)
• Constant Encourager – After being on the run for 15 years, after King Saul plotted to kill David out of jealousy, David felt defeated, undeserving, doubtful, and exhausted. Jonathan encouraged him, reminding David of the true nature of God – the same God who had been with them through all the hills and the valleys up until this point. (1 Samuel 23:16-17)

“The height of your potential is determined by the depth of your friendships.” ~ Pastor Danny Lee

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There is one who is our Ride, Die and Risen -> JESUS

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