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I. THE VALUE OF THE FRIENDSHIP OF CHRIST.

1. He is a Friend to His people, and does for them more than what the strongest earthly friendship can dictate.

(1) To a kind and constant friend we can freely unfold the secrets of our heart, and look for counsel and direction in every perplexing circumstance. With far greater freedom may the humble Christian apply for direction to the wonderful Counsellor and Prince of Peace.

(2) From a kind and generous friend we expect compassion in our troubles and sympathy in our affliction. The merciful High Priest, and the Friend of His people, is touched with a feeling of their infirmities.

(3) From a constant and kind friend we expect protection when injured and in danger. This also the gracious Friend of sinners willingly imparts to all who, in the exercise of faith, humility, and trust, betake themselves to Him.

(4) From firm, constant, and generous friends, we receive such supplies of good things as they can bestow, when we stand in need of them. But what are all the bounties of the creature when compared with the bounty and benevolence of our gracious Lord?

2. His Divine friendship is free from those imperfections which lessen the comfort of human intimacy and attachment.

(1) A friend and a brother may withdraw their regard, and prove inconstant. Some real or imaginary offence, some impropriety of conduct, the injurious misrepresentations of the malicious, or some scheme of self-interest, may make those whom we have loved and esteemed avert their countenances from us, withdraw their intercourse, and prove false in their friendship; but this Beloved of the soul continues steadfast in His love — "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."(2) The best of friends or brothers on earth may not be able to administer that Divine assistance or support which circumstances may require; they may be ignorant what course should be taken; they may be oppressed with poverty, or laid on beds of languishing, or borne down with a succession of griefs. But the compassionate Redeemer is a brother born for adversity.

(3) The best of friends and brothers may be called to stations of work and usefulness in places of the world to which we can have but little access, so that, after years of happy intimacy, distance of place may interrupt the sweetest friendship and all the joys of mutual intercourse. But it is not thus with that best Friend whom the text extols. Wherever His people are, He is there to bless them, and to do them good.

(4) Death dissolves the sweetest friendships. But Jesus, our Redeemer and Friend, is immortal and unchangeable.

II. I AM TO RECOMMEND THE SAVIOUR TO YOUR ATTENTION, ADMIRATION, AND ACCEPTANCE.

1. The personal excellences He inherits.

2. The unspeakable blessings He bestows.

III. Let us now direct you to the IMPROVEMENT of what has been said.

1. This subject suggests important directions to believers in Jesus.

(1) He that has friends must show himself friendly. Beware of whatever may offend your heavenly Friend, or cause Him to withdraw the manifestations of His presence.

(2) Testify the sincerity and ardour of your friendship, by regard for those who are the friends of Christ.

(3) Testify your friendship to the Saviour, by warm concern for His interests in the world.

(4) Maintain daily and delightful fellowship with your heavenly Friend, that thus you may cultivate the sense of His friendship, and may guard against all distance, coldness, and reserve.

(5) Ye friends of the heavenly Bridegroom long for the coming of your Lord, and for the full enjoyment of His immediate presence in heaven.

2. I shall now conclude with addressing men in different situations.

(1) This Friend demands the affection of the young by motives the most engaging and tender.

(2) Are you afflicted? Be entreated to seek your support and consolation in the friendship of Christ.

(3) Are you indifferent and careless about religion, but pursuing the enjoyments of sense with the whole bent of a corrupted mind? Yield to the entreaties of a dying Saviour; fly to Him; make the Judge your friend, and know for your comfort, that in receiving Christ Jesus the Lord, you become through faith in Him the children of God, and are made joint heirs with Christ, that best of friends, who sticketh closer than a brother.

(A. Bonar.)

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KJV: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

WEB: A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.