Friend For Life | 15 March 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
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Jesus wants us to know that He is for us and that we can depend on His friendship for the rest of our lives.
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Friend For Life | 15 March 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
- 1. Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- 4. JOHN 15:15b NLT “Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me.”
- 6. What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! What peace we often forfeit, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
- 8. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
- 10. A BIBLICAL FRIENDSHIP: Acquaintances vs. real friends You are known by your friends Real wealth is measured by real friendships Friendship is built on trust, truth and grace Friendships can grow from shared visions Friends are for each other
- 12. Be the friend you desire to have!
- 14. 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
- 15. Psalm 1:1 NIV
- 16. WHAT DOES JESUS REQUIRE IN TERMS OF FRIENDSHIP?
Editor's Notes
- Date: 15 March 2015 – first morning service Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- Theme: Walking with Jesus – 40 days of building friendship
- Sermon: Friends forever Introduction Real friendship is precious and I’m learning to value it the older I get. I am in a place where some of my friendships are between 20 and 35 years old, yet they keep gaining value. It is worthwhile to once again consider the great privilege of Jesus declaring His desire for friendship with us. He could have chosen to relate with us in many other ways, for example as slaves, servants, as a boss, etc. But He chose us for friendship, which is a life-changing honour! Some friendships come and go, but the friendship Jesus offers is for life. It can be seen as a type of restoration to the connection that God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden where daily walks and talks took place.
- Text: John 15:15b (NLT) “Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me.” (Emphasis added)
- Main points Jesus-style friendship
- What a Friend we Have in Jesus Music by Charles Converse (1868) Lyrics by Joseph Scriven (1855) What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge — Take it to the Lord in prayer; Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there. Jesus set a wonderful example for friendship that also helps us to define true quality friendships.
- His friendship was based on openness and inclusion. He was real and connected with people on their level. He showed real interest and care in people. He is always available – never too busy to hear our cries. He remains faithful even when we aren’t.
- ‘If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.’ 2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT) He ultimately gave His life for His friends, showing how much He valued them. To be called a friend of God, like Abraham was, is the greatest honour we can have.
- 2. Friendship facts
- Let us look at our understanding of friendship as well, as the biblical understanding. All acquaintances aren’t real friends. The saying ‘You are known by your friends’ is absolutely true. Our real wealth is measured by real friendships. Godly friendship is built on trust, truth and grace, as we see modelled by Jesus (John 1 – He came in truth and grace). True friendship requires trust, truth and grace in the right doses at the right time. Beautiful and strong friendships can grow from a shared vision of God and are not necessarily solely built on shared interests. Friends are there for each other – they stand together and fight for each other when necessary.
- ‘One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) The wonderful friendship between King David and Jonathan shows us many more life lessons about friendship. Be the friend you desire to have. We should not stay stuck in destructive or unprofitable friendships that do not advance the Kingdom.
- 3. Tips for friendship How to be the ideal friend: Have an accurate understanding for godly friendship. Every person you know, do business with or have coffee with is not necessarily a friend. Manage your expectation and time for friendship. Give more to a friendship than what you take from it. Be there and listen. Job’s ‘friends’ talked a lot about him and found many faults in him. They had the answer to all his mistakes and problems. Real friends listen more and talk less. Praise more and criticise less. Godly friendship encourages and builds, it does not break down. If you value a friend, then you should not judge or find faults in the person. Do not take a long-term friendship for granted – show and tell your appreciation regularly and sincerely. Be a safe place for those who entrust you with their friendship. Keep confidentiality and be trustworthy. Never use friendship for personal gain. In other words, do not ask too many favours. Service your friendships by showing care and kindness.
- Choose your friends wisely – bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33) God should be in charge of your friendships and time. Not everybody who wants to be your friend should become one. We should ask God’s opinion about a friendship before we commit to it.
- Base your friendship with other people on your friendship with Jesus. As He is toward you so you should be toward them. You cannot be in-depth friends with those who do not want to be friends with God (Psalm 1:1). Refrain from having different friendship standards for different groups.
- 4. Jesus’ requirements for friendship Jesus wants our love and devotion, which translates into respectful obedience. Love listens to hear the heart cry of the other person.
- God wants to hear from you. Learn to love His presence and to simply spend time with Him. Good friends love spending time together without an agenda. Ask yourself the following: Have you ever been disappointed in a friendship or felt deserted and offended by friends? Forgive them. Have you ever stepped out of a friendship or destroyed a friendship? Do you need to ask forgiveness? Do you feel alone, isolated and in need of friendship? I pray today that you will connect with Jesus and the right friends.
- Application Being in friendship with Jesus is the greatest treasure we will ever receive – let us treat it with respect. His sameness and presence is our guarantee for a lifelong friendship!
- God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
- He said He would be with us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus’ love and friendship is rock solid and steady. He is not a fair-weather friend. He wants us to know that He is for us and that we can depend on His friendship for the rest of our lives. Prayer Thank You Jesus that You want to be my friend. I will make our friendship the highest priority in my life! Help me to listen when You speak and to take action. Teach me how to be the friend I desire to have. Amen.