TOPIC: THE FRIEND OF GOD
(Abraham – The Friend of God)
After the covenant relationship of God and Abraham – these two covenant friends began to compare with each other in the world of redemption.
God said to his friend in Gen 22:2 (NLT)2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
And God the friend of Abraham did the same – John 3:16(KJV)16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Friends do common things – Heb 11:17-19(KJV)17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
What is friendship? A state of mutual trust, support and love between two individuals.
A state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy and trust between two people.
In the eyes of God, friendship is the ultimate relationship with God and one another; It’s about service to others rather than service to self.
God has specific expectations of what a friend must be willing to do for a friend.
Abraham is called ‘the friend of God’ indicating a close relationship. He is the only one in the bible who is called God’s friend.
Abraham became God’s friend through this singular act – James 2:21-24(NLT)21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
Isa 41:8(TLB)8 “But as for you, O Israel, you are mine, my chosen ones; for you are Abraham’s family, and he was my friend”
2 Chron 20:7(TLB)7 O our God, didn’t you drive out the heathen who lived in this land when your people arrived? And didn’t you give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
Gen 18:19(NLT)19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
The covenant between God and Abraham was tie and bond of friendship.
Gen 17:1-11(NLT)When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—’God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!7 “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” The Mark of the Covenant 9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. 10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.
When you are God’s friend you become the apple of His eyes; most cherished and cared for.
Zech 2:8b(KJV) “… he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”
Deut 32:10(KJV)10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Friendship has so much responsibility.
Ps 17:8-9 reminds us of the privilege of intimate relationship with God.
“Ps 17:8-9(KJV) 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.”
God doesn’t reveal everything to his servants but does reveal everything to his friends – John 15:13-16 (RSV)13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
Ps 25:14(NLT)14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
Jesus is more than a friend – Rom 5:6-8 (NKJV)6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Our covenant with God is the mandate required for our friendship with follow human.
Jonathan becameDavid’sclosest friend. Heloved Davidas much as heloved himself.
1 Sam 18:1-4(KJV)And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
2 Sam 1:25-26 (NLT)25 Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle!Jonathan lies dead on the hills. 26 How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan! Oh, how much I loved you! And your love for me was deep,deeper than the love of women!
Jesus stops in Bethany where his friends Martha, Mary and their brother , Lazarus live. They were evidently close friends of Jesus. He came to their homes simply as a welcomed quest.
Luke 10:38-42(NLT)38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
John 11:1-3(NLT)A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”
Jesus showed friendship through love and compassion. John 11:33-36(NIV)33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.”Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
Jesus exhibited a very powerful grace and anointing as a result of friendship.
You get the best out of God when you are God’s friend.
John 11:40-449NLT)40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
There is a greater intimacy and greater rewards from this intimacy that can be gained. – James 4:8 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Friendship with God is the basis for all friendships.
Prov 17:17(MSG) Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Prov 18:24(NLT) There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Prov 27:6(GNT)6 Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder — watch out!
V9(MSG) 9 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.
Prov 27:17 (NLT)As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Prov 12:26(TLB)The good man asks advice from friends; the wicked plunge ahead-and fall.