Becoming a True Friend of God

Summary

The preacher centers the message on friendship with God. He observes that many believers picture God as distant in heaven and never actually nurture a living relationship with Him. Yet Scripture shows that God Himself longs for friends - Abraham was called His friend, and Jesus tells His disciples in John 15, "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

True friendship with God is not passive. Just as we pay attention to what pleases an earthly friend, we are called to listen to God and obey His will. James 4:4 warns that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God, so this closeness requires turning away from worldly attachments. Satan works to fracture our friendship with the Lord, and any broken relationship with Him must be restored.

The fruit of this friendship is confident, intimate prayer. Quoting John 15:16 and 16:23-24, the preacher reminds the church that Jesus chose us to bear lasting fruit and to ask the Father in His name so our joy may be complete. He closes by urging the congregation to please God, trust Him in every circumstance, and surround themselves with true friends.

Key Points

• God desires real friendship with us, not distant religion, and He took the first step toward us.
• Jesus calls us friends rather than servants when we obey what He commands (John 15:14-15).
• Friendship with the world makes us enemies of God (James 4:4), so guard your closeness to Him.
• Satan tries to break our friendship with God, so any broken relationship with Him must be restored.
• A real friend pays attention to what pleases the other, so listen to God and do His will.
• Prayer is how we build and strengthen our relationship with the Lord.
• Christ chose us to bear lasting fruit and to ask the Father in His name with full joy (John 15:16; 16:24).