“Friends with God” – 2.7.21

February 7, 2021
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“FRIENDS WITH GOD”

THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP IN MY LIFE SHOULD BE MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 NLT

  • We don’t deserve it.
  • God initiated the relationship.
  • We become friends with God!

10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:10-11 NLT

  • The only way to be friends with God is through Jesus!
  • Forgiveness is what restores a relationship that has been strained.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.  Romans 5:8-11 NLT

  • I must make knowing God the number one priority in my life.

8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.  Philippians 3:8-9 NLT

23 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!  Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT

You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.  James 4:4 NLT

  • My friendship with God affects every other relationship.

12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.  John 15:12-17 NLT

COMMUNICATION IS A VITAL KEY TO ALL GREAT RELATIONSHIPS.

  • Listening and speaking, sending and receiving are critical to effective communication.

LISTENING TO GOD:

  • God speaks through His Word, The Bible.

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT

  • If we want to grow closer to God, we should read His Word regularly.
  • God speaks through wise biblical counsel.
  • God speaks through circumstances.

SPEAKING TO GOD:

  • We speak to God through prayer.
  • We need to approach God with a pure heart and right motives.
  • Your most important relationship should get your best moments.

Next Steps for me today…

  • I will put my trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and right standing with God.
  • I will make my friendship with God the #1 priority in my life.
Next Steps

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