Giving God the praise for bringing all of us together today, what will be our topic for today is “Joy in a True Friend.”

As we all have a definition towards joy, we know that joy is not a feeling that can be bought. Even though many have tried buying joy with their resources, such as money, connection, partying, and the like, just like we heard last week, for those who are in church, we say that it is all a mirage.

Many have also tried finding joy in a friend. They believe where they can be made whole and complete is in finding a friend, but are jilted and disappointed because there can be many friends, but a TRUE friend is hard to find.

Even though we may say we have the understanding of who a friend is, one thing is for certain: no matter how close friends can be, there are still flaws that you will be seeing in each other which may some of the time cause disagreement.

And also, some become friends because of circumstances that surround them for one reason or the other. Hence the reason, even though we make ourselves happy through the friendship we had, our happiness is temporary and much of the time depends on circumstances.

And that is why it will be rare for you to see someone who can proclaim that they find joy in their friend or become the joy their friend seeks. They can be happy, no doubt, but a true friend who can find?

And the reason why this is, is because the joy our friends give to us and the joy we give our friends are filtered, limited, speakable, and the like, not because we are faulty of this but because that is what it is concerning God’s creation. For I am very sure that as much as we can all try to put smiles on each other’s faces, there will be a time that we will want to take a pause. There will be times that we know we cannot go beyond boundaries.

That said, the joy we derive is not truly joy because of the boundaries we set for ourselves. And perhaps you are thinking in yourself that you are a true friend, thank God for your life, but as long as you cannot die for your friend, then your friendship has a limit.

But we have another friend called Jesus who humbled Himself, leaving His glory above and willed to be our friend, being our friend and staying through the course of friendship.

Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”

So what could not be found on earth is what I have come to introduce to those who have not known, and to those who know, it is coming to you as a reminder that the only reliable and true friend who can give us joy unfiltered is Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the true friend that we all need as we pass through the journey of life, because every other friend may disappoint when you think they will bring joy to your heart, but only Jesus is a true friend who never disappoints.

Jesus is the true friend we all need because He is the only one who can give us joy that is unspeakable. It is only in Him we can be joyful and have joy everlasting. Our spouse will always have a space in our heart, a portion of us, but Jesus gave us all of Him so that we can be joyful in Him.

As close as my wife and I are, one thing is for certain: our friendship did not go beyond the love we have for each other. No doubt, she occupies my heart, but the fact remains that when she grows old and dies, I cannot go into the grave with her, and vice versa with me, she cannot.

We are true friends to each other and we share joy together, but there are boundaries to the joy we share. And if you would not take my word for it, in the book of 1 Samuel 23, as much as Jonathan knitted his soul to David and would even leave his throne for David.

The joy derived from their friendship couldn’t make David go down to the grave with him but rather continue to find his true joy in God. No wonder when he had it, he valued it so much and he prayed to God for restoration of the joy of salvation which was taken away from him.

Until you find your joy in Christ Jesus, every other joy is a mirage. You need joy in a true friend called Jesus Christ. He is the only friend who can bear your pain and grief and replace them with joy for you.

Perhaps, you have been finding joy, but all joy is not joy if it is not in Jesus Christ, because joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and only Jesus can give this fruit of the Spirit to you, and you cannot have it until you become His friend.

Husband and wife can be friends, but the joy of your friendship is not complete until Jesus is invited into your marriage. Brothers and sisters can be friends, but there is no perfection in their friendship if Jesus was not invited in.

So the joy you are looking for cannot be found in the multitude of friends you are craving for, but it can be found in Jesus. That said, we should stop selling ourselves short by finding joy where there is no joy.

Many have sold themselves for nothing according to Isaiah 52:3 in the course of finding a true friend, but Jesus is ready to redeem you without money today. Do you want to prioritize having Jesus as your friend? Do not miss this opportunity.

stop selling yourself for less to friends who will not add value to your life but rather to Jesus who will add more than a value to your life.

For in Him is joy of salvation. In Him is joy unfiltered. In Him is joy unspeakable. In Him is joy unlimited. Every other friend will make you happy, but only Jesus will make you joyful. Every other friend will give you listening ears for a while, but only Jesus is all ears all day and all night.

This is the joy that Abraham caught in God that made God call him His friend. This is the joy in the disciples after becoming Jesus’ friends and Jesus becoming their friend (John 15:14).

So how do you find this true friend? By releasing your heart and allowing Him to introduce Himself to you. His name is Jesus and He is ready to be your friend. He is ready to replace your sorrows with joy, your worries and anxiety with His presence. He is ready to give you joy of salvation

He is ready to change your life for the better so that you can start carrying around a new aura of joy instead of disappointment. He wants to be your friend. He is the only true friend who can never disappoint.

If we have anyone here today who wants to find their joy in a true friend called Jesus, there is an opportunity for you today. All you need to do is to sing this song:

“Into my heart (2x), come into my heart, Lord Jesus…”