FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

1. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD MN Ngcobo ngcobmn@unisa.ac.za 0825871177 24 May 2009

2. Becoming best friends • Romans 5:9-11, through the blood of Jesus we are restored to friendship with God • God is the Creator, Maker, Lord, Master, Judge, Redeemer, Father, Saviour and much more • But the most shocking truth: Almighty yearns to be our friend • The scene in Eden before the fall: Adam and Eve had an intimate relationship with God • There were no rituals, ceremonies or religion – just a simple relationship

3. Becoming best friends… • We were made to live in God’s continual presence, but after the fall the ideal relationship was lost • Few people in the OT had the privilege to experience friendship with God – Moses and Abraham were called ‘friends of God’ Ex 33:11,17, 2 Chr 20:7, Isaiah 41:8 and James 2:23 • David was called a man after God’s own heart, Acts 13:22

4. Fear vs. friendship • Many other people in the OT lived in fear of God, not friendship • Jesus changed the situation - he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple (a symbol of separation from God) was split from top to bottom – symbolising that direct access to God is now available • Before this only priests were allowed to meet God after spending hours of preparation • Now we can approach God at any time, Romans 5:11 and Heb 4:14-16

5. Only because of GRACE • The grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus, 2 Corith 5:17-19 • We are called to have friendship and fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity (Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), John 15:15, 2 Corith 13:14 • It is only those who know and understand God are allowed to boast, Jeremiah 9:23-24 • Intimate relationship between an omnipotent, invisible, perfect God and an finite, sinful human being – difficult to comprehend • But knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure

6. Secrets of friendship with God • Constant conversation – beyond attending church and having quiet times • Share all experiences with him – He wants more than an appointment in your schedule • He wants to be included in every activity, every conversation, every problem and every thought • We need to converse with God while doing everything, that is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:17

7. Secrets of friendship with God… • In Eden – worship was not an event to attend but a perpetual attitude – a constant communion with God • How is it possible to pray all the time? Breath prayers (short simple repeatable sentences, You are with me, I receive your grace, etc.) – pray until this is rooted in your heart – but your motive must be to honour God not to control him • Sometimes you sense God’s presence, sometimes not – we don’t praise God to feel good but to do good • The goal is not a feeling, but a continual awareness of the reality that God is always present

8. Secrets of friendship with God… • Another way – continual meditation – thinking about God’s Word throughout the day, Psalms 23:4, 143:5, 1:1-2, Joshua 1:8 • We need to know what God says in his word – he reveals himself through his word 1 Samuel 3:21 • Recall the verses you have read and memorised instead of thinking about a problem over and over again • God treasured his relationship with David because he meditated on God’sword, Psalm 119:97,77:12 • God will share secrets with you as you meditate on his word, 1 Corinth 2:6-10 • Friendship with God goes hand in hand with reverence and not fear • Prayer lets us speak to God, meditation lets God speak to us – both are essential to becoming a friend of God

9. Love that defeats fear • The power of motivation • Motivational factors: Covey 2004 Meaning ______________________Creative excitement Love ______________________Heartfelt commitment Duty ______________________Cheerful cooperation Reward ______________________Willing compliance Fear ______________________Unwilling obedience Anger Rebel or quit