Friendship With God

FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

Text: John 15:14, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

Intro: Believers need the wonderful companionship with the

Lord.

It is necessary that we are connected to Him in a personal and

loving manner.

Will this presentation relate to Christmas? Yes!

If the reason for Christmas in not about love and friendship with God,

then I am confused.

An ongoing receiving of God’s love reinforces personal relationships

with Him.

The LORD has an endless supply of love directed to our hearts. Often

we fiend and resist that love, because we think we have enough of God.

Theme: "God’s love is all around us all the time--

if we make room, He will surely come in."

______The Blessings of Receiving God’s Love,

a publication of THE ALLIANCE FOR CHRISTIAN FELLOW-

SHIP INTERNATIONAL

I. Standing Humbly In Awe Of God

A. Humility is one requirement to receive God’s love.

1. Put aside excessive love and concern for self.

2. Make room for more of the love of God.

3. The love from Jesus is extended to us 24/7.

B. It is important to fear the Lord.

1. W/O f., love is not what it ought to be.

2. W/it everyday praying is more worshipful

3. Psalms 25:14 (KJV) The secret of the LORD is with them

that fear him; and he will shew them his

covenant.

4. Psalms 25:14 (GW) The Lord advises those who fear him.

He reveals to them the intent of his

promise.

5. Psalms 86:11 (KJV) Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in

thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

II. Physical Blessings

A. Still discussing, "Receiving God’s Love."

B. What is offered to the friends of God:

1. Safety & Satisfaction (Prov. 19:23)

2. All needs provided for (Ps. 34:9).

3. Life, Honor, and Riches (Prov. 22:4)

4. Abundant Goodness, Psalms 31:19 (KJV), "Oh how great is

thy goodness,

which thou hast laid

up for them that fear

thee; which

thou hast wrought for

them that trust in thee

before the sons of men!"

5. Taught of the Lord (Ps. 25:12)

III. Emotional Blessings

A. Peaceful Living (Prov 19:23)

B. Family Life (Ps. 128)

C. Fellowship with the Lord (Ps. 119:63)

IV. Spiritual Blessings

A. Steadfastness/Courage/Stamina (Jer. 32:40)

1. in The Faith

2. illu: Man burning at the stake claps hands three times

B. Friendship with God (Ps. 25:14)

C. Wisdom (Ps. 111:10)

D. Obedience (Ps. 112:1)

1. Acknowledge that God is greater.

2. We are lower and must be aware of that fact.

3. This is not "preacher talk." Many today think

they are gods.

4. Our friend, the Lord, guides us with His

commands, i.e., dietary laws, moral laws.

V. Keeping His Commands

A. In and of ourselves we cannot keep God’s commands.

B. Just "knowing about" God’s laws is not sufficient.

1. no incentive/allurement/drive

2. must be a God-given heartfelt desire

3. We love Him because He loves us.

4. It is natural to want to obey & please

the one you love (John 14:23 AMP). <----

C. We must hear God.

1. still small voice

2. receive in our minds

3. Hear Him as we read the Scriptures.

4. Become, in our hearts, as little children.

D. Relate/give an account to the Lord through faith.

1. Faith works through love.

2. Ask God for His guidance

3. Know you never have to be lonely, i.e., His fellowship

(Rev. 3:20)

4. Commit each day to the Lord.

5. Be baptized in the Holy Ghost (Jn. 17:19-26)

6. Refuse to be moody or depressed (Isa. 26:3)

a. God raises a standard against Satan.

b. We can ask for God’s peace and joy.

7. Guard the mind (Philippians 4:8).

8. Repent of all known sin.

9. Forgive everyone who has offended you.

10. As you read the Bible, ask for understanding

and wisdom.

Conc:

I. Standing Humbly In Awe Of God

II. Physical Blessings

III. Emotional Blessings

IV. Spiritual Blessings

V. Keeping His Commands

We have discussed one of the most important things in

the Christian’s life.

It is the very reason we are on this earth; to receive and

return (reciprocate) God’s love.

Romans 8:35 (KJV) Who shall separate us from

the love of Christ?

shall tribulation, or distress,

or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:37-39 (KJV)37 Nay, in all these things we are

more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor powers, nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any

other creature, shall be

able to separate us from the love of

God, which is in Christ

Jesus our Lord.