ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD

THE L.I.F.E. PLAN ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD BLOCK 2 THEME 1 - ABRAHAM LESSON 4 (40 of 216)

BLOCK 2 THEME 1: ABRAHAM LESSON 4 (40 OF 216): ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD LESSON AIM: Show that it is possible to be the friend of God. SCRIPTURE: (James 2:23) (John15:14-15) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23) KJV Friends are such an important part of our life. They come into our life in so many different ways. Sometimes we meet a person and instantly we become friends. In other situations, a friendship is developed over a long period of time. Friends, sometimes, are only in our life for a short period of time. And in other cases, we may have a friend with whom we enjoy a relationship for our entire lifetime. In my own life, I have friends in each of these categories. Do you remember your very first friend? My first exposure to friendship was in my early childhood. The very first friend I had was a boy named Dennis. Dennis and his family were our across the street, next door neighbors. He and I played every day under a cedar tree in the corner of our front yard. Since that time, I have had many friends whom I have loved dearly. You could probably say the same thing. Most of us know what it is to have a very good friend. In all of our study of the Bible, it is easy to pass over the fact that God likes to have friends, too. In the first chapter of John which is one of the places in the Bible that takes us way back into the eternity before man s time on the earth, we see God in a close and intimate fellowship, or friendship. The Trinity existed in a face-to-face, upclose, personal relationship with each other. It is into this circle of fellowship and intimate relationship with God that we are invited. The Bible records the relationships between God and many people. Some of these recorded relationships are spoken of in the highest terms of endearment. King David was said to be a man after God s own heart. Many of the Psalms that he wrote speak of the intimacy he shared with God. The Bible tells us that God spoke with Moses as a man speaks to his friend. Adam, the first man, enjoyed a close relationship with God as God walked with him in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. And, the Bible tells us that Abraham was called by God himself, my friend (Isaiah 41:8). The kind of relationship Abraham had with God was more than the friendship we have with some people on a casual basis. In some cases, although we are friends with people, we are not very close to them. This is not the kind of friendship these two enjoyed. The friendship between God and Abraham was marked by a deep love and affection and devotion. We can see this in both God and Abraham. Abraham showed his love and devotion for God by believing him and his promises. He showed it also in his obedience to the will of God in his life by leaving his native land to go to the place God wanted him to be, to even being willing to offer his own son as a sacrifice to God.

We see God s love and respect for Abraham in many ways through the promises he made to him. He promised to bless him and to bless all the peoples of the earth through him. We also see God s consideration of his friend Abraham when he decided to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. God did not want to keep this from Abraham but shared it with him and was even willing, at Abraham s bidding, to spare the cities if he could find within them at least ten people who had a heart for God. This was the kind of communion Abraham shared with God as a part of their friendship. Their friendship is specifically mentioned in both testaments. It is still possible for men to be the friend of God today. The friendship Abraham had with God is given to us to show us what is required in order to have communion with God. The two things we mentioned about Abraham are the same things God requires from us if we would be the friend of God: we must believe him, and we must obey him. If you want your relationship with God to begin to grow by leaps and bounds, focus on these two things in your life. We even have a hymn that speaks of this: Trust and Obey. Work on believing God in spite of everything else. Determine to obey God as he guides you according to his Word. You will find that God is willing and waiting to commune with you in this kind of deep and intimate friendship. Jesus summarized this truth with his disciples when he said, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:14-15) KJV. Having the right kind of friendship with God makes it possible for us to have the right kind of friendships with people. When our friendships with others are not patterned after our friendship with God, we can take advantage of each other, disappoint each other, and let each other down. One of the reasons God wants to be our friend is so that he can influence our friendships with people. We should take what we experience in our friendship with God and let this guide us in our friendships with others. Finally, let s note two things which stand out about our friendship with God. One is the extent to which God is so serious about it. He has done everything necessary to make it possible by sending Jesus to rescue us from sin and separation from him. He has sent his Spirit to draw us into this relationship. From the human side, this friendship with God begins when we simply believe on him in our hearts; the deepest, truest part of who we are. Second, God also shows us how serious he is about his relationship with us in the eternity he has planned for us to enjoy with him and with others who have believed on him. We will live with him forever in a place he is preparing for us that will never again be interrupted or tainted by sin and its destruction. This is a place of unimaginable joy, splendor, and love. Forever in this place with God, we will find the love we have always desired, the home for which we have always longed, and the realization of all of our heart s desire. One day, we will be there with him, and it will never end. Until then, while we walk on this earth, we can still enjoy a friendship with the true and living God. May

we not pass on this great opportunity. May it be said of each one of us as it was said of Abraham, he or she was the friend of God. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD BY ALLEN ELDER 13 Sep 06 Why would God, so holy and great, When all the worlds he did create, And to each creature assign a fate, Want to spend time with me? He could have lounged upon the moon, Or, spent his time with a baboon. But, here he comes into my room; He wants to spend time with me. He sent his Son through trouble and strife Upon a cross to give his life, And from the world to take a wife, So he could spend time with me. While we walk the earth below He opens his life, his heart to show. The more I learn, the more I know That he wants to spend time with me. He s made a place beyond the sky Where we will live and never die. I am the apple of his eye, And he loves to spend time with me.

LESSON OUTLINE BLOCK 2 THEME 1: ABRAHAM LESSON 4 (40 OF 216): ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD LESSON AIM: Show that it is possible to be the friend of God. I GOD WANTS TO HAVE FRIENDS A. David B. Moses C. Adam D. Abraham II MARKS OF ABRAHAM S FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD A. On Abraham s part 1. Belief 2. Obedience B. On God s part 1. Promises 2. Openness III FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD INFLUENCES OUR FRIENDSHIPS WITH OTHERS Friendship with people should be patterned after our friendship with God. IV NOTABLE POINTS ABOUT OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD A. God has done everything to make a friendship with him possible. B. God has planned an eternity with us. SCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. Friendship with God Genesis 3:8 Exodus 33:11 2 Chronicles 20:7 Isaiah 41:8 John 15:13-15 2. Intimacy with God John 1:1 Mark 3:14

3. Having friends Proverbs 18:24 Proverbs 27:17 LINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION 1. ESCHATOLOGY Eternity Heaven 2. SOTERIOLOGY Walking with God Redemption Justification Sanctification Glorification Grace Faith 3. THE DOCTRINE OF GOD The Trinity Holiness Judgement 4. ANTHROPOLOGY Relationship with God Obedience Communion with God QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY 1. Do you remember your very first friend? 2. Do you have a close friend today? 3. Are you a good friend to others?

4. Would God say that you and he are friends? Based upon what? 5. How did God show his friendship with Abraham? Through the promises he made to him; by telling him of his intention to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. 6. Are you as serious about your friendship with God as he is about his friendship with you? How so? 7. What are some of the things you value about your friendship with God?

BLOCK 2 THEME 1: ABRAHAM LESSON 4 (40 OF 216): ABRAHAM: THE FRIEND OF GOD QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT 1. Do you remember your very first friend? 2. Do you have a close friend today? 3. Are you a good friend to others? 4. Would God say that you and he are friends? Based upon what? 5. How did God show his friendship with Abraham? 6. Are you as serious about your friendship with God as he is about his friendship with you? How so? 7. What are some of the things you value about your friendship with God?