TEXT: GEN. 18:1-33
INTRODUCTION: There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. An important evidence of true friendship is loyalty, one to another (mutual). A true friend will continue to love irrespective of the circumstances and situations. From the time God called Abraham (Gen.12:1), their relationship continued to grow till it came to what could be called friendship. Abraham proved faithful to the point that God could visit, trust, confide in Him and grant his request. What a wonderful experience for a mortal man! Let us go through this lesson with the mindset to appropriate this knowledge in our lives, thereby improving our relationship with God, our true friend who gave His life a ransom for our souls.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, we shall be able to:
1. Describe a true friend.
2. Identify the qualities of Abraham that made him to be called a friend of God.
3. Discuss how our friendship with God can grow and develop.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO IS A TRUE FRIEND? Prov.17:17; Gen. 18:17; Jn.15:15.
A friend is someone that loves at all times (1 Cor.13:4-8); someone being available to help in times of distress or personal struggle. A friend does not emphasize the weaknesses of his friend; someone you can trust, rely on and confide in. Friendship is at its best not in prosperity but in time of trouble. Good friends do not keep secrets from one another. Jesus calling His disciples friend speaks of mutuality and love, one in spirit. David loved his friend Jonathan as himself. Their faithful friendship also gave us a glimpse of the loving relationship Christ has with us.
QUESTION 2) WHAT WERE THE BENEFITS OF ABRAHAM’S CLOSE COMMUNION WITH GOD? Gen.18:9-15,20.
Abraham’s close communion (friendship) with God paid off for him. The twenty-five years old promise of no definite time frame became forth-coming as declared “according to this time next year, your wife shall have a son” (Gen.18:10 NLT). Secondly, the secret of the Lord is with them who fear Him (Commune with Him). God honored Abraham by telling him of His plan to destroy the twin evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Furthermore, the intercessory prayers made for the two cities by Abraham was answered by God.
QUESTION 3) ABRAHAM INTERCEDED FOR SODOM AND GOMORRAH. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH YOU ABOUT GOD’S REVELATION? Gen.18:23-33; Ezek.22:30-31.
God’s mercies always prompt Him to reveal certain secrets (revelation) to us, His friend, to do something about it. God revealed His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness (God’s perfect judgement), but Abraham, who knew that God was fair to the people began to intercede for them. God’s fairness stood out. He agreed to spare the entire cities if only ten Godly people lived there. He also showed mercy towards Lot, apparently the only man in the city who had any kind of relationship with Him. He also showed great patience towards Lot, literally, (almost) forcing him to leave Sodom before it was destroyed. God showed Abraham that asking for anything is allowed, with the understanding that God’s answers come from His perspective. They are not always in harmony with our expectations, for only He knows the whole story. As a friend of God, He can reveal matters to you to stand in the gap. God is looking for such people today. Pray for the Godly to increase in our cities.
QUESTION 4) IDENTIFY THE QUALITIES IN ABRAHAM THAT MADE HIM TO BE CALLED A FRIEND OF GOD. Gen.18:17-19; James 2:21-24.
James says Abraham was “justified” (declared righteous) because of his works and Paul says he was justified because of what he believed (Rom.4:1-5). This is not contradictory but complementing each other. Belief brings us salvation; active obedience demonstrates that our belief is genuine. Abraham obeyed God to the extent of sacrificing his only son on the altar for God. Furthermore, God trusted him that he will train his children and household to love the Lord. His reverential fear of God compelled him to obey God. His love for God was sacrificial and trustworthy to the extent of introducing the giving of tithe to God through Melchizedek. Facing a potential conflict with his nephew, Lot, Abraham took the initiative in settling the dispute. Abraham was also eager to show hospitality to visitors (Gen.18:18; Heb.13:2). Abraham is called the “father of faith”, true faith was exemplified through his life. In the life of this “friend of God” (James 2:23), faith is not defined as perfect character or behavior, but simply believing what God says.
QUESTION 5) JESUS SAID, “HENCEFORTH I CALL YOU NOT SERVANTS BUT FRIENDS”. DISCUSS HOW OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD CAN GROW AND DEVELOP. John 15:15; Num.12:7-8; 2 Tim 2:15
The servants-master and Son-Father ideas describes the believer’s relationship to Christ and not to the Father quite vividly. But none is quite as profound as when Jesus Christ called His disciples friends, because it speaks of mutuality and love. Faith in Christ and the finished work at the cross alone can lift the believer to a new status. Because Jesus Christ is Lord and Master, He shall call us servants, but instead, He calls us friends. As Lord and Master, we owe Him our unqualified obedience because we love Him. Our friendship with God can grow and develop by the following: a) Like Moses who was faithful in all God’s house, we should be found faithful in all things that pertain to God and godliness. b) Our friendship with the Lord starts from the point of Salvation (being born again). We should start well, run well and finish well. c) Daily study of the word of God and being doers of the word. d) Have constant and deep fellowship with God. That is one-on-one fellowship through prayers, praises, worship, etc. e) Be involved in personal evangelism, the heartbeat of God. Be about God’s business and He will be close to you in friendship.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Friendship is at its best, not when in abundance, but in time of trouble and adversity. There are many fair-weather friends, when the storms come, they leave. A true friend will continue to demonstrate love irrespective of circumstances and situations. Truly, God is our true friend, a faithful friend. He is a friend to all those who trust and love Him, to those who obey Him and follow His ways. You can make Him your friend today, by receiving Him as your personal Savior and Lord. Learn to show hospitality to everyone you come in contact with daily as Heb.13:2 suggests that we like Abraham, might actually entertain angels. This thought should be in our minds, the next time we have the opportunity to meet a stranger’s need thereby fostering a lasting true friendship with someone who may be your destiny helper.
MEMORY VERSE: JAMES 2:23 “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Mon: SHOWING HOSPITALITY. Gen.18:2-3; Judges 13:6-11.
Tue: QUALITIES OF A FRIENDLY PERSON. Prov.17:17; 27:17; 18:24.
Wed: WISDOM IN HANDLING DISPUTES. Gen.13:1-14; 1Kgs 3:16-28.
Thu: GROWING AND DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD. Jn.15:15; Num.12:7-8; 2 Tim.2:15.
Fri: BENEFITS OF BEING IN CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD. Gen 18:9-15; Rom.9:9-11.
Sat: ACTING UPON GOD’S REVELATION. Gen. 18:23-33, Ez 22:30-31.