In this sermon, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on how we can grow in our friendship with the Lord and how that can translate into friendship with others.
God's desire for a relationship with us is not based on obligation, religious duty, or transactional exchanges. Instead, He has always pursued us with a consistent, unwavering desire for true friendship. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Malachi, through the stories of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and disciples, we see God persistently providing ways to engage with His people. He continually leans in, drawing near to us, inviting us into deeper communion with Him.
John 15:15 reminds us of this invitation:
"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus extends a personal invitation:
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
Even with this invitation, the choice remains ours. Will we accept His outstretched hand? More importantly, which is harder: saying yes to this friendship or truly walking in it?
As Christians, followers of Christ who have accepted His invitation, we can sometimes drift into a pattern of transactional prayer. Life gets busy, and our prayers may sound like: Lord, help me today. Heal this person. Protect my kids. While these are valid petitions, they only scratch the surface of what true friendship with Christ entails.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to:
"Pray without ceasing."
This doesn’t mean simply repeating requests endlessly, it means engaging in an ongoing, dynamic conversation with God. Prayer includes:
- Praising Him
- Petitioning Him like Jacob
- Confessing our darkest thoughts
- Offering thanksgiving
- Asking: God, what do You want to say to me today? What do You need me to do? Where are You leading me?
- Giving Him space to respond.
Psalm 46:10 encourages us:
"Be still, and know that I am God."
1 Kings 19:11 illustrates how God speaks:
"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'"
A key barrier to deeper friendship with God is trust.
We struggle with trust in our relationship with God too. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Even when we desire to trust, doubts creep in: What if God doesn’t come through this time?
Yet, Psalm 9:10 reassures us:
"Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Trust grows in any relationship through vulnerability that is reciprocated and protected. Just as marriage thrives when trust is built, so does our relationship with God.
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of friendship: John 15:13:
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
The disciples were meant to see the cross and think: I understand now. He took my place under God’s wrath because He views me as His treasured friend.
Friendship with Christ is a gift beyond comprehension. There is no greater compass for life than walking in friendship with Jesus.