What do we think of when we think of a real, close friend?
¨ Someone that we care about dearly that feels the same for us.
¨ Someone that we can trust with our innermost secrets and desires knowing that they would never tell anyone else or use them against us.
¨ Someone that allows the relationship to be both give and take, rather than take, take, take. (Not a spiritual leach.)
¨ Someone that regardless of the situation would always be there for us.
2 Chonicles 20:7
James 2:23
One of the first elements in developing a true friendship is trust. This comes sometimes through trials. But it also comes by walking with someone intimately. Friendship and trust, cannot be developed over night, rather it is a journey. Abraham came to the place in his walk with God, he believed whatever God told him, even with physical proof.
1. God told him to leave all and God would lead him into a land that God would give him. (God showed him where during the journey, not before.)
2. When he got to Cannon, there was a famine. God leads him to Egypt and prospers him there.
3. God promises him a son through Sarah; it is years later before he and Sarah have Isaac.
4. God promises him that his descendents would be as numerous as the stars in he sky and the sand in the desert. Something he never saw in his lifetime.
5. He was willing to offer up Isaac on the altar to God without question. The Book of Hebrews tells us that he believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead.
Acts 13:22
There are two things that characterize King David:
1. He told God exactly how he felt. He never held anything back from the Lord in some religious fashion or prayer. When happy, he told God. When he was depressed, he told God. When he was mad, he told God. There was true openness about his relationship with God.
2. He had a willingness to do whatever God told him. Go up against a giant with a sling and a few stones, certainly. Go into battle? Yes. Repent when confronted by a prophet? Immediate!
Because of these things, even though David did sin before God, Jesus was to set on the throne of David …Forever!
Exodus 33:11 – God spoke with Moses, Face to Face like a man speaks to his friend.
Psalms 27:7-10 – God wants us to seek His face.
Isaiah 59:2 - Our sins hid the face of God from us.
Duet. 5:4-6 - God wanted to talk with all of Israel face to face. Their sin caused them to push away from the presence of God.
John 15:12-15 – Because Jesus took away the sin problem, we are no longer called the servants of God, but the friends of God.
Revelation 3:20
“Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone heard me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.” (Living Bible)
This was writer to the Church. Jesus wants to come into a new level of intimacy with each believer. Will we let Him?
1. In your own words, define a true friendship.
2. List things in your relationship with God that hinders your friendship with him.
3. How are you going to change these things so that you can become closer in your friendship with God?
Mark and Patti Virkler have granted permission to draw this information from
their book, “Communion With God Study Guide”.
You can get more information at their website www.cwgministries.org