A Friend of God (2)

Introduction

Our Broken Relationship with God

Our relationship with G is broken. / Beginning of time = ideal relationship between G/humanity: Adam/Eve enjoyed intimate friendship with G. / No rituals, ceremonies, religion. / Just loving relationship between God/people he created. / But after Fall, ideal relationship = lost. / Nothing we can do about it. / Overnight we went from: Life/Sinlessness/Intimacy > Death/Sin/Alienation.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness; and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. (5th Article of Faith).

Explanation

From Enemies into Friends Through the Cross

We cannot do anything about broken relationship, G can/has.

2 Corinthians 5:18 GNB

All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.

P: reconciliation G has carried out between humanity/himself. / Reminds us G = mover of every reconciliation. / In C, G redeemed world/humanity > himself. / Joined to Christ/Made new beings. / Old way of promises across broken relationships = gone. / New way of reconciliation with G has come. / He can turn us from enemies > friends. / He can make all human beings his friends through Christ. / He can forgive us mistakes/failures/weaknesses/mess ups > friends.

How? > Through JC. / His death paid for sins. / He has brought G/humanity together again. / Died > Temple veil torn in two = Sign direct friendship with G = possible again. / Friendship with G = possible because of grace of G/sacrifice of J.

Application

Be Reconciled to God

We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation. (The Salvation Army’s 7th Article of Faith).

Do? / Popular to say: Make peace with God. / You don’t have to! / G = made peace with world/you = Good News! / Not: Change your relationship with G but Let God change you from enemy > friend. / Sounds easy, but not. / Allowing ourselves to be reconciled to G = a big thing > Means naming what currently separates us from G. / If in debt then most difficult step forward = working out what you really owe. / No one likes to admit: Fighting a losing battle/Mistakes/Failures/Confess sins. / But can’t be healed unless we know true extent of illness. / Cannot be reconciled to G unless we understand source of estrangement/ Confessing our sin/repentance towards God is essential to reconciliation.

We believe that we are justified by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself. (The Salvation Army’s 8th Article of Faith).

But once you repent > trust God to keep promises. / He will change you from enemy > friend/strip away everything that separates you/him, just like Temple veil. / You can believe been saved. / You can trust G treats you just as if you’ve never sinned. / G will assure you, through HS that you are now his friend.

Next Steps

A Prayer of Confession

Living God, Your life in us gives us fullness of life Help us to hold onto what is good and true, and follow what leads us into life. Help us to let go of what holds us back. Forgive us when we choose the wrong way; Forgive us when we are attracted to the wrong things; Forgive us when we hold onto what we ought to let go Forgive us and heal us. Amen

Thank you for Jesus, Who speaks his gracious word to each of us, saying; Your sins are forgiven; Go in peace. Amen.