Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, August 15,

John 15:12-14 Biblical Applications for Being a Friend of God

PHILOS is used about 30 times in the N.T., often to indicate “a friend to whom one is under a basic obligation.”

Although friends and relatives are sometimes differentiated, Luke 21:16; Acts 10:24, this need not be the case according to our passages, John 15:13-15.

1. Friendship could only exist between good men, men who lived pure lives, free from greed, lust, and violence. 2. Friends had complete agreement on all subjects and good will toward one another. 3. Friendship was based on love. 4. Friends would not ask one another to do what was wrong and only did good to one another. 5. Permanence and stability in friendship were the product of mutual loyalty. 6. The golden rule for a friend was to put himself on the same level as his friend.

1. Friends of God have no fear, other than the fear (awe or respect) of God in their lives, Luke 12:4.

2. Friends of God have humility from a faith rest life, Luke 14:10.

3. Friends of God have a mental attitude and actions that are filled with righteousness, Prov 22:11.

Prov 22:11, “He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.”

4. Friends of God have a servant’s heart, Luke 7:6.

5. Friends of God are persistent in their prayer life, Luke 11:5ff.

6. Friends of God will be resurrected, John 11:11.

John 11:11, “And after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.””

7. Friends of God will have tremendous blessing for time and eternity because of His Word resident in their souls, Job 29:1-5ff.

Job 29:4, “As I was in the prime of my days, when the friendship (counsel) of God was over my tent.”

8. Friends of Jesus Christ keep His mandates, John 15:14.

9. Friends of Jesus Christ have an admiration for Him as His bride, Song of Solomon 5:10-16.

Song of Sol 5:16, “His mouth is full of sweetness, and he is wholly desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”

10. Friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ is based on having His Word metabolized in your soul, Prov 7:4.

Prov 7:4, “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your intimate friend.”

Occupation with Christ provides a new focus in life, away from eyes on self, on people, and on things.

How you are treated and loved by people, is no longer an issue.

It is your fellowship with God that counts, and consistent fellowship leads to friendship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace Offering

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, August 15, 2010 Tape # Friendship with God, Part 2 Upper Room Discourse, Part 402 John 15:13-14; Luke 7:6-7; 11:5-10; 12:4-5; 14:7-11 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2010