John 15:12-17
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.
I.Our Walk With Christ There Are Two Sides.
Kingdom Side: Its all done, complete and full
Then there is the Experiential side, vital side.
In the OT God revealed Himself progressively – 7 redemptive names;
1. Jehovah-Rapha, The Lord our Healer – (Ex 15:26; Isa 1:5-6; Jer 17:9; Lk 5:31)
2. Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner [or Refuge] – (Ex 17:8-15; Ps 20:5)
3. Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord (who) is Present – (Ezek 48:35; Ex 33:14-15; 1 Chr 16:27; Ps 16:11; 97:5)
4. Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness – (Jer 23:5-6; Ps 11:7; 89:14; 1 Cor 1:30)
5. Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord our Peace – (Judges 6:24; Isa 9:6; Lk 1:78-79)
6. Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider – (Gen 22:8-14; Joh 1:29; Gal 3:8; 1 Cor 2:7)
7. Jehovah-Ra’ah, the Lord our Shepherd – (Gen 48:15; Ps 23:1; 80:1; Isa 40:10-11; 1 Pet 2:25)
We grow by revelation.
We are limited not by what God has done, but by our understanding, awareness and acceptance of that which He has done
II. As We Grow In Realization We Grow In Life
Moses was called a friend of God
Israel knew His ACTS but not His HEART.
Abraham was called a friend of God
III. PRIVILEGES OF BEING A FRIEND OF GOD!
The Lord is a friend to those who fear HIM to them HE reveals HIS secrets!
God’s greatest hope is to be your friend
God wants to share HIS secrets but He can only do it with friends.
Christ has offered to you HIS friendship why would we settle for anything less
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