Being A Friend of God

Introduction:

A. Friends Are Important

- Two are Better Than One – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

- Friends Stick Closer Than Family At Times – Prov.18:24

- A True Friend Loves at All Times – Prov.17:17

- A Compliment to Be One’s Friend

B. No Greater Friend Than God

- Abraham Was Called the Friend of God

~ 2 Chron.20:7; Isa.41:8

~ James 2:23

- Jesus said that we could be His friend

~ Jesus called his disciples “friend” – Luke 12:4

~ We can be a friend to Jesus – John 15:14-15

~ We sing, “I’ll be a friend to Jesus”

1. Friends Stick Close Together

A. Proverbs 18:24

B. There Must Be Agreement for Two To Walk as Friends – Amos 3:3

C. If We Draw Near to God Then He Will Draw Close to Us –James 4:8

D. We Must Stick Close to God by:

- Talking with Him in Prayer

~ Romans 10:1

~ Regular Communication is Essential for a Good Friendship – 1 Thess.5:17

- Listening to His Word

~ John 6:44-45

~ We must listen to what he commands in order to obey – John 15:14

- Worshiping Him

~ Matthew 18:20

~ Heb.10:22-25

2. Friends Loves At All Times

A. Proverbs 17:17

B. There is Such a Thing As a “Fair Weather” Friend

- Proverbs 19:4, 6-7

- 2 Timothy 4:16

C. God Has “Fair Weather” Friends Too

- Matthew 13:20-21

D. A True Friend Loves in Adversity

- Who wants a friend that is only around in good times?

- James 1:2-4

- 1 Peter 1:

C. Neither do we want a friend that only needs us when they need something

- Deut.6:10-12

- 2 Cor.12:10

3. Friends Are Willing to Sacrifice

A. A True Friends is Willing to Make Sacrifices for Their Friends

- John 15:13

- 1 John 3:16-17

B. If We Are God’s Friend We Will Be Willing To

- Sacrifice our time for God – Eph.5:16

- Sacrifice our money for God – 1 Cor.16:1-2

- Sacrifice our wants for the Lord – Gal.2:20; Lk.9:23

- If necessary, we should sacrifice our life – Acts 20:24

4. Friends are Devoted

A. Proverbs 18:24

- ESV- “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

- NASV – “A man of too manyfriends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. “

B. It is impossible to be a friend to everyone – you can have too many friends

C. You Can’t Be Everyone’s Friend

- James 4:4 (1 John 2:15-17)

- Matt.6:24

D. If You Want to be God’s Friend You Must Be Loyal and Devoted to Him and Him Alone

5.Friends Share Interests and Concerns

A. We Are Like Our Friends

- 1 Cor.15:33

- Proverbs 12:26; 22:24-25

B. If We Are Going to Be God’s Friend We Must Share His View of Things

- James 2:23

- Eph.4:24; 2 Peter 1:4

Conclusion:

- Are you a friend of God?

- Do We Live So That The Lord Wouldn’t Be Ashamed To Call Us His Friend?