Friends – What Good Are They? (Open Forum)
Tim Keller | April 27, 1997
Overview
Open Forums are specifically designed for skeptics or those wrestling with the claims of Christianity. Each Open Forum included a brief concert by guest artists followed by a talk and open mic Q&A with Timothy Keller. This audio recording includes the talk only.
Outline
John 15:13–17
This sermon talks about friendship, something we don’t often focus on. We usually pay more attention to subjects like love, freedom, or identity. But friendship is just as important. The teachings of Christianity can help us understand friendship better and show us how to make our friendships stronger.
1. Why don’t we focus on it?
In his book “The Four Loves,” C.S. Lewis talks about four types of love: affection, romantic love, friendship, and unconditional love. Friendship is unique because it requires our active choice and effort. But in our society, we often forget about it because it doesn’t seem as necessary as other types of love. Our busy lives and the belief that we should find happiness by ourselves have made us overlook the value of friendship.
2. Why should we care about it?
Friendship is a type of love that helps us become more human, and it’s something we choose, not something we need to survive. Friendships can keep growing and expanding, unlike romantic or family relationships. In our world today, our family connections are getting weaker and friendships are always changing, so it’s important to learn how to keep our friendships strong.
3. What can Christianity teach us about friendship?
Christianity teaches us that friendship is very powerful and necessary. It shows us that God values relationships greatly. True friendship isn’t something we make, but something we find. It teaches us that relationships are more important than personal achievements, that deep friendships are based on shared interests and goals, and that Jesus is a perfect example of a true friend.
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