FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

1. INTRODUCTION

· Rev. 4:11  - We are created to bring pleasure, enjoyment to God.

· Man - only creation of God capable of intimate relationship with Him.

· Desire of God is for relationship, friendship, intimacy.

· That desire is built into every human being - desire for friendship, intimacy.

· Jn. 17:3  - This is eternal life that they know thee and the one you have sent.  Know - 1097 = Experiential knowledge.   Eternal life is a consequence of an intimate relationship with the source of life.

· Relationship with God differs from any other relationship.

i) God is a spirit (Jn. 2:24)

ii) God is great (Is 57:15)

· Can only know God if he reveals himself.

· God reveals himself to all who are hungry for relationship  with him.

· Matt 16:17 - Blessed are you - my Father has revealed it to you.

· Can know about God - but not know him personally.

· To know God personally He must reveal himself.

2. THE GOAL OF OUR RELATIONSHIP IN FRIENDSHIP

· Relationships develop through stages = know about - know personally - friendship

a) To know God personally must come on terms God sets.

· Jn. 1:12  To as many as received (Christ) he gave power to become children.

· Foundation for relationship with God is faith in Christ and the work he did on the Cross.

· Jn. 2:23-25 - Believed because of miracles - no depth of relationship.

b) To become a friend of God - must fulfil the conditions He sets.

· Mt. 11:19 - Friend of publicans and sinners.

· Jesus was friendly to publicans and sinners but called few his friends.

· To become a friend of God requires we meet the conditions He sets.

· Jn.15:14-15  You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.

· Spirit of obedience is essential to friendship with Christ = Faith

· Must have a respect for him that results in heart obedience.

E.g development of child to adult.

· Goal of the development is friendship

· Stages of the development = child - teen - adult

· Key issues:  obedience/respect - responsibility/faith - Friendship

· Friendship becomes familiarity unless the conditions are met.

· Jesus disciples grew to point of friendship with Him.

· Mt. 28:18-20  Great commission = train people to point of friendship with God.

· Benefits of friendship is that God reveals his heart, his secrets.

· God does not reveal his heart to casual acquaintances.

3. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD IS BIRTHED IN OBEDIENCE AND RESULTS IN REVELATION

· Ps. 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him.

· Secret = People in close discussion, intimacy, sharing personal things.

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· E.g.  Abraham:  Called the friend of God  = Is. 41:6  Abraham my friend/ 2 Chron. 20:7 Abraham your friend

· Ja. 2:21-23  Abraham faith - obedience - called friend of God!

· Abraham withhold nothing from God - God was first in his affection

· Gen.22:12 Fear God, not withheld son, only son whom you love.

· Abraham had deep respect and fear of God and obeyed Him and put Him first.

· Gen. 18:12  Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do.

· God revealed what about to do - Abraham able to forsee judgement to come and intercede with God for release of Lot and family.  

· Lot: Righteous man with totally compromised life. (2 Pet. 2:8)

· Ja. 4:4 - Friendship with world is enmity with God.  Whoever will be friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Enemy = 2190 = to hate, to be hostile, to be an adversary especially Satan.

Friend = 5384 = To be fond of and associate with.

Friendship with God is compromise by friendship with world.

· E.g. Moses:  Called the friend of God. (Exod. 33:11)

· Ps. 103:7  - He made known ways to Moses, acts to people of Israel.

· Israel saw acts - what God did, miracles.

· Heart motive in serving God - “what can I get out of it?”

· cf  Prov. 19:6  Every man is a friend to him that gives gifts.  All brethren of poor hate him - his friends go far from him.  He pursues them with words but they are wanting to him.

· Prov. 17:17  A Friend loves at all times.

· When serving God seemed to disadvantage Israel they complained.  Num. 14:1-3  Were it not better for us to return to Egypt.

· People who do not know heart of God and the character of God, misinterpret difficulties and hardships as signs that God is against them.

· Moses walked in obedience - paid price to put God first (Heb 11:24-26)

            Result - friendship with God and revelation of his ways.

            Ways - methods, motives, desires of his heart.

· Friendship with God grows out of respect for Him that results in heart obedience in him and giving them first place in affection.

Prov. 22:11  - He that loves purity of heart and has grace on lips - the kings shall be his friend.

FOR DISCUSSION

· Do not attempt to answer all the questions.

1. Friendship

· How would you describe the difference between an acquaintance and a friend?

· What qualities would you look for in a friend?

· What failure would most commonly injure a friendship?

· Have you ever been betrayed in a relationship by a friend?

· What did you experience?  How did you handle it?

· What makes that betrayal of Jesus in Mt. 26:47-50 by Judas so serious?

2. Friendship Developed

· Read Jn. 15:14-15

· What conditions does Jesus require of those who are friends to Him?

· Why does Jesus require a spirit of obedience in people?

· What difference does Jesus make between a servant and a friend?

· What condition must he have seen in their lives that caused him to elevate their relationship from servants to friends?

· Comment on the statement: “The goal of discipleship is friendship”

· Parents are the primary agents responsible for discipling their children.  There is a progression in development.

Stage:                          child                 -           youth   -           adult

Development: Obedience/Repect      -  Responsibility/Faithfulness  -  Friendship

· Why is it so important that children learn obedience and respect?

· Why is it so important that teens learn to assume responsibility and to be faithful (reliable) in fulfilling them?

· How does failure at either of these stages affect the relationship with the parent?

· Read the Great Commission in - Mtt. 28:18 - 20

· When people are trained to obey Christ what does this qualify them to become?

· Why is obedience the first most crucial lesson a New Christian must learn?

3. Abraham’s Friendship with God

· Read Ja. 2:20-24

· What would you consider your most loved possession?  How readily could you let it go?

· Why is it so important that our faith (trust) in God be accompanied by actions?

· What minor struggles must Abraham have faced in letting go the only son he loved and had waited so long for?

· His willingness to obey was evidence of what quality? (v 22)

· What quality did Abraham have in his relationship with God apart from his faith? (Gen. 22:12)

· What does it mean to ‘fear God’?

· Why did God call Abraham his friend?  (Ja. 2:23)

· Abraham’s nephew Lot once walked with him but later separated from him and lived in the city of Sodom where his life and values were corrupted.

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Read Ja. 4:4

· What does it mean to be a ‘friend of the world’ practically?’

· How does this affect a persons relationship with God?

· Why does God call such a person an adulterer?

· Do you know people who once walked close to God but have now compromised and become a ‘friend of the world’?

· What is their condition before God?

· What is the heart of God in this matter?  Gal. 6:1; Ja. 5:19,20

· Are their any areas of your life that are compromising your relationship with God?  What are your going to do?

· How would you rate yourself in the two areas God requires as foundations for friendships with Him?

1. Obedience

2. Faithful service