Introduction: We live in a world where there is a great deal of emphasis on friendship, perhaps too much. Most people, in their desperation to have a friend, are willing to compromise a number of things if it will preserve the relationship. There are many things that need to be overlooked if any friendship is to be successful, but same issues cannot be hidden. God would like you to have same good friends, but never at the expense of your testimony. The fact is, that to have friends, you must be a friend (Prov. 18:24). Therefore, it is appropriate to examine what a friend really is.

A. Characteristics of a friend -

• Tells the truth - (Prov. 27:5,6,9)
• Loves pureness of heart - (Prov. 22:11)
• Loyalty - (Prov. 27:10)
• Loves at all times - (Prov. 17:17)
• Often the basis of modern friendship is not so much what you can do to benefit your friend, but what they can do for you. This is well characterized in false friendships as in (Prov. 14:20; 19:4). The prodigal son found out about such "fair weather" friends (Luke 15:11-32).

B. Things that separate friends -

• Whispers - (Prov. 16:28)
• Violating a confidence - (Prov. 17:9)
• Money - (Prov. 6:1-3)

C. The greatest example of friendship -

• The friendship of Christ - (John 15:13)
• Jesus was a friend to sinners - (Matt 11:19)

From childhood Albrecht Durer wanted to paint. Finally, he left home to study with a great artist. He met a friend who also had this same fire and the two became roommates. Both being poor they found it difficult to make a living and study at the same time. Albrecht's friend offered to work while Albrecht studied. Then when the paintings began to sell, he would have his chance. After much persuasion, Albrecht agreed and worked faithfully while his friend toiled long hours to make a living.

The day came when Albrecht sold a woodcarving and his friend went back to his paints, only to find that the hard work had stiffened and twisted his fingers and he could no longer paint with skill. When Albrecht learned what had happened to his friend, he was filled with great sorrow. One day returning home unexpectedly he heard the voice of his friend and saw the gnarled, toil-worn hands folded in prayer before him.

"I can show the world my appreciation by painting his hands as I see them now, folded in prayer." It was this thought that inspired Albrecht Durer when he realized that he could never give back to his friend the skill which he had lost in his hands.