Proverbs 20:6 (NLT) — 6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?

Proverbs 3:3–4 (NLT) — 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

The Faces of Disloyalty

Words and smiles don’t mean much - Proverbs 26:24–26 (NLT) — 24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. 25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. 26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public. 

Favor brings fake loyalty - Proverbs 19:4 (NLT) Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. 

Crisis reveals loyalty - 2 Timothy 4:16 (NLT) — 16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 

Disloyalty is painful - Proverbs 25:19 (NLT) — 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.  1 Samuel 18:1–4 (NLT) — 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

Five Laws of Loyalty

1 Samuel 18:1–4 (NLT) — 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

1. Loyalty should be given on PURPOSE.

2. Loyalty DEFENDS a friend in their absence

1. 1 Samuel 19:5–6 (NLT) — 5 Have you forgotten about the time he risked his life to kill the Philistine giant and how the LORD brought a great victory to all Israel as a result? You were certainly happy about it then. Why should you murder an innocent man like David? There is no reason for it at all!” 6 So Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed.”
2. Our Words are the quickest way to tell the loyalty between two people. If you will not protect someone with your words, you will never protect them with your life.

3. Loyalty WARNS a friend of danger

1. Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) — 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

4. Loyalty is for LEGACY

1. 1 Samuel 20:14–15 (NLT) — 14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the LORD as long as I live. But if I die, 15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the LORD destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.”
2. Proverbs 27:10 (NLT) — 10 Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

5. Loyalty is SACRIFICE

1. 1 Samuel 23:16–18 (NLT) — 16 Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” 18 So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the LORD. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh.

The Source of Loyalty

1. Hesed of God - The Loyal Love of God, based in His covenant. 
2. The loyalty of Jesus.
   1. John 13:1 (NLT) — 1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
3. Stepping into covenant loyalty with Christ.