NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!

THE BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

JAMES 2:23; GENESIS 12-24

Friendship can be a wonderful thing depending upon who your friends are.

Wrong friends have led many a person down the wrong path.

Proverbs 1:10–“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

Proverbs 1:15–“My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.”

On the other hand, the right kind of friends are a source of blessing for anyone who has those kinds of friends.

The Bible said that Abraham was God's friend. There is not a better place to find a friend than with God. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”

Being a friend of God should be our great desire.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD?

I. COMMUNICATION WITH GOD.

Abraham communicated with God. True communication with a friend involves action on the part of both parties.

A. God Spoke To Him.

“Now the LORD said unto Abram. . .” (Genesis 12:1)

“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said. . .” (Genesis 12:7)

B. He Spoke To God.

“. . .there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 12:8)

Exodus 33:11--And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh

unto his friend.

II. CHALLENGES FROM GOD. (Genesis 12:10; 22:2)

Proverbs 27:17–“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

A. Challenges In Our Circumstances. (Genesis 12:10)

B. Challenges In Our Confidence. (Genesis 15:4-6; 16:1-2; 18:10-11)

C. Challenges In Our Commitment. (Genesis 22:1-2)

Proverbs 27:6–“Faithful are the wounds of a friend. . .”

III. CLAIMS OF GOD. (Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:18)

IV. CARE OF GOD.

Genesis 24:1–“. . .and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.”

Proverbs 17:17–“A friend loveth at all times. . .”

Proverbs 18:24–“. . .there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

A. God Took Care Of Abraham In His Selfishness. (Genesis 12:17; 20:3)

B. God Took Care Of Abraham In His Selflessness. (Genesis 13)

V. COMFORT OF GOD. (Genesis 15:1, 18:9-15; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

VI. COUNSEL FROM GOD. (Genesis 17:1)

Proverbs 27:9–“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”

VII. CONFIDENCE IN GOD. (Genesis 15:2-6; Romans 4:21)

VIII. CAPABILITY FROM GOD. (Genesis 14:20)

IX. CHARACTER OF GOD.

Abraham was molded more and more into the image of God, his Friend!

Conclusion

Are you a friend of God? You can’t be a friend of someone you don’t have a relationship with.

Also, once a relationship is established, that relationship must be nurtured for the parties of the relationship to become friends.

If you have a relationship with God, are you nurturing that relationship with God?

John 15:14–“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!