Teaching by: Pastor Jeff
Lesson on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bE-5vwdoP3A
Tonight we look at how deep and rich and rewarding our friendship with Jesus. Jesus is our friend, and that is an amazing thing! Sometimes I think about the humns I grew up on and remember how they teach valuable and deep lessons from Scripture. It is more than an emotional buzz. While there is nothing wrong with the excitement of being in the presence of God, our relationship also takes deep study of His Word. There are crazy amounts of depth to be had (Psalm 42:7; “deep calls unto deep”)
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for our fellowship, and for teaching our hearts through your Holy Spirit. I thank you for being my friend, and for developing me to grow into our relationship. I thank you for those calling in to Bible study tonight, and I thank you for the hearts you will touch as they listen later. In the name of Jesus, amen!
Kick Off Video: 5 Amazing Hidden Messages in the Bible that will blow your mind!
by: A & Ω Productions
Friendship
noun
1. the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.
2. a friendly relation or intimacy.
3. friendly feeling or disposition.
Synonyms for friendship
- harmony, accord, understanding, rapport.
John 15:13 ESV
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Proverbs 18:24 ESV
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Biblical view of friendship is stronger than the current colloquial definitions of the word. Based on the descriptions we receive in Scripture, the word “ally” may be more appropriate.
Ally
verb (used with object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to)
2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
verb (used without object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
3. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
Brothers in Arms
A slang term for those who serve together in a conflict, especially war. By extension, brothers in arms are also men who share a very close, strong relationship.
Romans 8
Romans chapter 8 delivers a great argument from Paul detailing how we have been adopted into the Kingdom, are Children of God, and are now brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus. The Bible takes this hope and extends into the concept of the “friendship” we have from Jesus Christ.
The hope we have in Jesus as our friend is a hypostatic union, all God, all man, and our brother. An ally in the fight, the leader of the Lords Armies! What is more, Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit are available to you every day!
John 15:12-15 ESV
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
Reasons for Hope:
1. Because Christ Jesus was our friend first
Romans 5:8 ESV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And how much of His blood was shed for each of us!? And how much of His blood was given that covers each of us, and pays the ransom for the second death? That he paid this for each and every single one of us, even before we were born – yet He still knew us. And despite our sin, He went to the cross for us.
2. Because the sacrifice of King Jesus was a gift from our Father
Romans 5:10 ESV
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
1 John 3:1 ESV
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Behold What Manner of Love
Behold what manner of love The Father has given unto us, Behold what manner of love The Father has given unto us, That we should be called the sons of God, That we should be called the sons of God.
3. Because King Jesus sent His Holy Spirit
John 16:5-8 AMP
5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment:
PARACLETE păr’ ə klēt
4. Because Christ Jesus is our friend when we fail
Luke 7:34 ESV
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
5. Friendship with Christ Jesus is Holy
James 4:4 ESV
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
6. Friendship with Lord Jesus can be trusted
Proverbs 27:9 ESV
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
7. Friendship with Lord Jesus develops us
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
8. Friendship with Christ Jesus is faithful
Proverbs 27:6 ESV
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
9. Friendship with Jesus Christ develops our relationship with the Father
James 4:8 ESV
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Sometimes we already know what we are doing is sin, and apart from God. But as we are developing, Jesus gave us three tests, in case there is any question. If it doesn’t reflect the way or path of Jesus, then it isn’t of Jesus. If it isn’t truth, then it is a deception of the enemy. And if it doesn’t promote abundant life in us and in others – in other words, demonstrate abiding love, then it isn’t of Jesus. Because only He is the way, the truth, and the life. And Christ Jesus has provided the only way to reconcile with our Heavenly Father!
10. Friendship with Christ Jesus brings us rest
Matthew 11:28 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
11. Because our Lord Jesus continues to knock on doors of our heart
Revelation 3:20 ESV
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
As we seek to give our whole heart to our Lord, and choose Jesus as our Lord, His Holy Spirit helps us in the fight. Jesus is looking for a complete and total relationship.
12. Because King Jesus forgives us with the Grace of God
1 John 1:9 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
13. Because Christ Jesus develops us into Godly Friends!
Proverbs 22:11 ESV
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
Hebrews 12:2 ESV
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Stepping into Relationship with Jesus
Ruth 1:16-17 ESV
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
Boaz saw the Tabernacle in Ruth. Not the foreigner. Not the Moabite woman. Not an outcast. But a woman who was in a deep and powerful relationship with the Heavenly Father, who was rejoicing under the wings of the cherubim of His throne!
It’s a Process – Jesus is our Friend and Ally in the Battle!
Matthew 5:1-16 ESV
The Sermon on the Mount
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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