Friends of God

Making Friends With God

Text: James 2:23

B.R.: James 2:21-23; 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And 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 2:21–23 KJV 1900

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 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.

Introduction: Everyone likes and wants friends. It’s important whom you choose as a friend. When choosing friendships, people must be tried over time and gradually trust is earned and friendships are established. Friends are special people, they know everything about you (and love you anyway).

We look for many qualities within people before we call them friend. We look for honesty, integrity, personal likes and dislikes.

Today, I want to take a look at the Bible and see how we can establish a friendship with God. How many want to be Friends with God? Not just acquainted or having a superficial knowledge of God. But having a deep intimate relationship with God?

Point 1:

A. Let us take a look at the life of Abraham.

1. He is referred to as a friend of God. James 2:23,

James 2:23 KJV 1900

23 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.

2. How did he do this?

B. The story of Abraham and his call: Genesis 12:1-4.

1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

This is the “Call of Abraham” God laid out promises to Abraham. But there was a stipulation. Abraham had to DO something. He had to Act.

1. Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

The Key to obtaining God’s promises is acting on his Word!

God will keep his end of the bargain Numb 23:19; 19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

C. Abraham’s supreme test of obedience: Genesis 22:1-12.

The offering of Isaac.

God had begun to bless Abraham, God had blessed him in battle, His wealth had grown, he was known throughout the land. Abraham was faithful to his covenant with God, and God was blessing him tremendously.

God gave Abraham the desire of his heart. God gave him a child from his wife Sarah in their old age. Then God asked of Abraham the unthinkable, Gen 22:2 2And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Genesis 22:2 KJV 1900

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

This was a heartbreaking request. Of all of God’s blessings, Abraham prized Isaac the most, and know God wanted to take him away?

For most, the friendship with God would’ve ended right there. Most would’ve ended their friendship with God right there. The friend that had gave them all of that promise. The friend that gave them victory. The friend that showed them the way through the wilderness.

But not Abraham. Abraham was a true friend!

1. Friendship proven.

Gen 22:9,10; 9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

How was Abraham able to endure such a request? Because he believed God. His faith in God persevered through the request. God had promised that Isaac would be the child that God would raise seed to Abraham like the stars in the sky, and sand by the sea. Abraham knew that God had to keep that promise.

Listen, Heb 11:17-19; 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11:17–19 KJV 1900

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.

Point 2:

A. Jesus outlines the conditions for a friendship with Him: John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1. John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

B. A failed friendship with Christ: Mark 10:17-25. Rich Young Rule came to Jesus looking for friendship. He was offered Discipleship! But he went away sorrowful because he had great possessions.

C. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

D. Prov. 18:24; A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV 1900

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Conclusion

A. Who will make friends with Jesus today?

B. Who values a friendship with God?

C. Rev. 3:20; Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.