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Pastor Wade Burleson




A Friend of God

Genesis55.mp3 (12.0 MB)

Genesis 18:1-10 (KJV)
  1. And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
  2. And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  3. And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
  4. Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  5. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
  6. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  7. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
  8. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
  9. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
  10. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

A Friend of God
Genesis 18:1-10

Three times in the Bible Abraham is called "God's friend" (II Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8). This is an important concept -- 'a friend of God.' There are some people with whom we would desire to be friends, but they have nothing to do with us. This text is amazing in that we see what it means for Abraham and us when God chooses to become our friend.

  1. A friend stays in contact . . .
    "And the LORD appeared unto him" (Genesis 18:1). As we have seen in our previous studies, the name for LORD is YHWH is the sacred name for God. Think of it. The LORD appeared unto Abraham. This is almost incomprehensible to all of us. This isn't the IRS agent, the police chief, the President, or a football star -- it's God.
    1. God appears to His people in unexpected ways . . .
      On this occasion God clothed Himself with flesh -- it is called a Christophany. We know He's God because of His name (LORD) and His nature (omniscience). And He appears with two other men who seem to be angels from heaven. The writer of Hebrews says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowin git" ('unawares') (Hebrews 13:2).
    2. God appears to His people at unexpected times . . .
      Abraham was sitting in the door of his tent "in the heat of the day." Not much going on, but God suddenly appeared. When you believe on Christ Jesus you will have the privilege of transcendent, omnipotent, immortal King appearing.
  2. A friend enjoys the communion . . .
    "My Lord, if now I have found favor in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee" (v.3). We are not sure when Abraham discovers that he is in the presence of Deity; but one thing we know, he asked the Lord Jesus Christ to stay and the Lord did not hesitate.
    1. Abraham began to serve Him . . . "thy servant" (v.3).
      True genuine service before the face of Christ needs no one to compel you.
    2. Abraham sacrified for Him . . . "he fetched a calf tender and good" (18:7).
      Even as it is in the Middle East today, the young calf is an expensive delicacy. "You are my friends if you do whatever it is I command you" (John 15:14).
    3. Abraham brought satisfaction to Him . . . "I will comfort your hearts" (V.5).
      There is a way that God's people bring satisfaction and refreshment to Him. "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
  3. A friend acts with compassion . . .
    "I will certainly return unto thee . . . and lo, thy wife shall have a son" (Genesis 18:10). In our long study of the life of Abraham we still see him childless and in need. Who would ever have a friend in need and not act in compassion? God gave to him a son. According to the time of life. God's blessings are only understood by you in degrees. God first told Abram he would bless him (a son, but not by whom). Then He told him by whom (Sarah, but not when), and now He finally tells him when. Wait on Him!

Genesis55.mp3



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Pastor Wade

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