What Is A Real Friend?

It has been said that a dog is man's best friend. It doesn't seem to matter what you do to your dog, he just keeps on loving you just the same. If you had a million dollars and a dog, you would have a million so-called friends and a dog. If you lose the million dollars and have nothing left, those million friends would also be gone, but you would still have the dog. He doesn't care about money, titles, position or privilege. All he asks is for the privilege of being near his master. If you speak his name, you make his day. If you pet him on the head, he thinks he is in dog heaven. His love is unselfish and undying. He is as constant in his love as the sun is in its course across the heavens. I suppose it is true that among all the animals in God's vast creation, there is no greater friend to mankind than the dog. Is this a true statement? If it is I am not very happy today because I don’t own a dog nor can I have one. So does this mean that I don’t have friends?

I think that there is another friend out there that has all the characteristics of a Dog but is much more valuable than that… His Name is Jesus. What are some characteristics of this friend named Jesus?

1. He is a friend that sacrifices
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:12-15

2. He is a friend that loves
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Pro. 17:17

3. He is a friend that is steadfast
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov 18:24

4. He is a friend that offers correction
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Pro. 27:6

5. He is a friend that forgives
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. Matt 26:50

Pastor Eric