Friendship with jesus 3/14/21

​Friendship with Jesus   3/14/21
We know the season of his return.  He is coming soon.
When we see signs happening we look up, His glory shall be seen upon us.  wars and rumors of wars, etc.
Were glad to be in the kingdom for such a time as this.  We thank God for his provision and his purposes fulfilled in our lives.
 
 John 15 
We have talked about true fellowship,
There are 3 levels of relationship:
Casual acquaintance, partnership and covenant
 
 
True Fellowship: what is required?    R,
I John 1 – walk In the light as he is in the light” we have true fellowship with one another.
Honest communication. Godly character
Fellowship with one another
We must have no hidden agendas
Caring, character and communication
3 John prosper and be in health , walk in truth, honest communication
Verse 29 be kind, let all bitterness and wrath be put away.
 
Friendship is the next level of relationship
Covenant Friendship – Married couples should be best friends
Higher and deeper than partnership
Proverbs 17  - A friend loveth at all times.  A brother is made for adversity.
John 15  count on to encourage, warn, rebuke, never turn or forsake,  a true friend tells the truth
Not just agreement in word but an agreement with souls.
 
Power of agreement. partnership, unity of the believer,
Matt 18:18-20 
We have discussed how we can have agreement without covenant,  but we need covenant friendship.
John was called the disciple that Jesus loved.
He had the revelation of who Jesus really is.  What that intimate relationship should really look like.
God is love.
John 15
 ‘these things I command that you love one another… that your joy maybe filled.
You are not of the world.  If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you.
Scripture:  because they know not him that sent me…  He warned them of what was to come
You will be hated of all men for my name’s sake. Falsely accused
Hatred of the name of Jesus.  The name above all names!
There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
There is one mediator between God and Man.
 
We will be accused of being “intolerant” and that God is not really loving.
God is a loving God – He is the only way
That your joy may be full  (verse 11)
All things that I have heard of my father I have made known not you.
John 17 a friend loveth at all times
As a friend, He laid down his life for us.  He is not ashamed to call us brother, He wants us to be involved in what He is doing to advance the kingdom of God.
We are his children, co-laborers, hosen, appointed, redeemed, called and anointed.  Most intimate of all I Father, then Friend.  What a friend we have in Jesus..(song)
He Is God, our Father, Friend
We can go to God in the name of Jesus
 
 Jesus  no longer calls us servants but friends.  (John 15:15-17) 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Be aware of what He is doing and know how to be involved
Like the sons of Issachar who had an understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.
There is much uncertainty, fear and hopelessness in the world.
We can find ourselves in a spirit of despondency or apathy if we don’t keep our focus on the Lord.
Jesus gave us a commandment to rejoice!  Rejoice in the lord always,  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  No weapon that is formed against you can prosper.
Rejoice evermore!  Don’t lose your joy!
Submit to God, rejoiced and the enemy will scatter.
So many decisions to be made.  Hear what the spirit has to say.  Don’t get in doubt or fear about what’ s going on around us.  Dwell in the secret place of the most high. He is a brother that sticketh closer than a brother.
He is my refuge in him I put my trust. 
We have the privilege of winning souls
Obedience flows out of a love relationship!
We don’t want to hurt God’s heart.
Pray, read the word, share the gospel
All we do must be motivated by the love of God in us and love for people
Know Him intimately and be involved in what He is doing.
Lazarus and Jesus         (Luke 10:38)
Jesus called Lazarus his friend,  Lazarus: supported His ministry, sowed into it.
Jesus is healer
Friends drop everything to help one another
He is God of resurrection and power
Jesus and Mary      “if you had been here  my brother would not have died”
Jesus’ response to Martha complaining about Mary.  Luke 10:42 42”But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”
Worship  is more important than work.  Jesus revealed this to Martha.
 
Intimacy and Worship
 
Worship comes before work!
Serving can be a distraction from our relationship.
We can assume work to be sufficient.
 
Motivation comes as a result of intimacy and worship.
 
The father seeks such to worship him.
They that will worship him in spirit and in truth.
 
He said he would do nothing unless he reveals it to His servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)
 
We should take advantage of this time to develop intimacy with God
Intimacy removes worry.  We are not in fear about tomorrow
Your life is hid with Christ in God.
In him you live and move and have your being
Be strengthened with might in the inner man.
Take time to pray in the Holy Spirit and know that all things work together for your good.
Perfect love casts out fear.
 
Focus on the process. Don’t focus on the problem more than the provider.
God is making you a greater resource for Him.    He is pruning, testing, preparing you to be involved.
There is work to be done in your life before his return.
David and Jonathan: Soul of Jonathan was knit to his own soul.  Friendship is commitment to do what will be beneficial to the other . To prosper and bless someone else,  love as his own soul. Jonathan’s soul knit with the soul of David.  Made a covenant because he loved him as his own soul.
Goliath had brothers, but David had a friend.
No matter what giants, groups, demonic forces we have a friend and all angelic hosts.
Jesus is our friend.  Our healer, He sent his word and healed them.
He is our strong tower, the Lord of Hosts, Lord of armies,
Keep looking up, don’t find yourself downcast.
(Psalm 24:7) Be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in
He calls us friends, not servants, wants us to be involved in what he is doing.
Ways to maintain involvement: 
Love one another, bring forth fruit, etc.
He gives rewards and benefits for obedience
Love one another and your joy shall be full.
God has thoughts concerning you.
What God has for you is for you.
Be faithful to do what you know to do that is right in the sight of the Lord!