Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a Friend of God

1. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a Friend of God

2. Reconciliation Def: An exchange of a life separated from God, to a life united with Christ. An exchange of a life in a state of enmity toward God, to a life of FRIENDSHIP with God. An exchange of a life which is deserving the wrath of God, to a life which is blessed by the divine favor of God. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

3. 1. Our friendship with God blesses us with PEACE Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

4. Peace Defined = The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with its earthly lot, whatever it is. This is the direct result of redemption by Christ and consists primarily of a state of conscious reconciliation with God, although it is often used in a broader sense to denote all the blessings which accompany and flow from that reconciliation. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

5. The PEACE of God is initiated by believing Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

6. The PEACE of God is given to us by Jesus John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

7. The PEACE of God is amplified as we set our minds on the Spirit of life Romans 8:6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

8. To the believer there is available PEACE at all times and in many ways 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

9. We can live a life where the PEACE of Christ rules in our hearts Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

10. The PEACE of God will flow over to our relationships 2 Cor. 13:11 be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you…. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification…. Romans 12:18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

11. The PEACE of God is dispensed through prayer Phil 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

12. 2. Our friendship with God has blesses us with GRACE Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

13. Grace = of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues - What is due to grace? - The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

14. The GRACE of God is displayed through the Christian life that will never end: John 3:16b Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

15. The GRACE of God is displayed through a spring of spiritual water that will never dry up (John 4:14) but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

16. The GRACE of God is displayed through a spiritual life that will never be hungry or thirsty again (John 6:35) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

17. The GRACE of God is displayed through a spiritual life that will never be hungry or thirsty again (John 6:35) Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

18. The GRACE of God is displayed through a calling that will never be revoked Romans 11:29 The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

19. The GRACE of God is displayed through a foundation that will never be destroyed 2 Timothy 2:19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.” Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

20. The GRACE of God is displayed through an inheritance that will never diminish 1 Peter 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

21. 3. Our friendship with God has blesses us with HOPE Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

22. Hope Def: = A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

23. Put your HOPE in God Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God

24. Our blessed Hope - Titus 2:11–15 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. 15 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. Friendship with God The Benefits and Blessings of being a friend of God