Romans 5:5-8 discusses how God showed his great love for humanity by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. The passage emphasizes that Jesus died for us when we were utterly helpless. It would be rare for someone to die for a good person, but God demonstrated his love by sending Jesus to die for us in our sinful state. The document also reflects on how Jesus is the ultimate friend who loves unconditionally and does not reject us even when we fail. We should seek to emulate this self-sacrificing love in our own friendships.

1. Romans 5:5-8

2. Romans 5:5-8 (New Living Translation) And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

3. Jesus said “I CALL YOU FRIENDS”

4. ● Jesus loves us, warts and all. ● When I think about the need to earn God’s love I’ll have to remember that scripture: While still sinners Christ died for us. It that cool or what! ● I need a friend like Jesus…He made the first move and doesn’t reject me when I blow it. ● Such friendship challenges me to be a sacrificing friend…and a hopeful one too.

7. FRIENDS… A RARE COMMODITY, INDEED!

8. THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

9. THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

10. THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

11. THE CULTURE REFLECTS THE DEEP DESIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

13. THE BIBLE: THE STORY OF JESUS

14. Remembering how the bread and wine represent God’s love and friendship with each of us.

15. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I have chosen to follow Jesus as my Lord and trust Him as my Savior.

17. DISBELIEF COULD HAVE A PERSON PUSHING AWAY GOD’S OFFERS OF LOVE AND PEACE

18. Plenty of human dealings are based on ‘getting’.

19. THE EXTREMITY OF SUCH LOVE

20. WE WERE INVALIDS …LIKE OTHERS JESUS RESCUED:

22. DESPITE GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP IS CONDITIONAL

24. PRAYER & PRAISE

28. ● Because Jesus loves us, warts and all, I will not require perfection of others as a basis for my friendship. ● Because I did not have to earn God’s love I will not make my friends earn my love. ● I will be a friend like Jesus…He made the first move and didn’t reject me. I will make the first move with others. ● God’s friendship challenges me to be a sacrificing and loving friend to others.