Embracing Friendship with God: A Transformative Journey

Summary

The concept of being a friend of God is both simple and profound. It challenges us to consider what it truly means to live in a relationship with God, not just in the afterlife, but here and now. Frank Laubach, a Methodist educator and missionary, exemplified this through his life and work. Despite personal tragedies and setbacks, Laubach sought a deeper connection with God, which he found through a conversational relationship. He would speak to God and then listen, believing that God spoke back to him. This practice led him to significant achievements, such as developing literacy programs that are still in use today.

Laubach's story illustrates that intimacy with God is not just about being told what to do. It's about understanding God's presence and voice in our lives, which can guide us in ways beyond mere instructions. This relationship is not confined to private experiences but extends to public actions, as seen in Laubach's literacy work. He believed that God communicates with us by guiding our thoughts, a process that doesn't always require words or direct commands.

The idea of being a friend of God also involves moving beyond a servant-master dynamic. Jesus taught that a true friend understands what needs to be done without being told. This understanding aligns with God's plan, where our desires and actions are in harmony with His will. It's about being drawn to God's goodness and beauty, leading to a life of service that is both free and fulfilling.

In this relationship, God shapes our desires, aligning them with His purposes. This transformation makes us unique individuals, unlike the conformity seen in those who live solely for themselves. As we delight in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our hearts, shaping our impulses to match His will. This dynamic relationship allows us to live in a way that is distinct and meaningful, reflecting God's unique design for each of us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Friendship with God is a Present Reality: Being a friend of God is not just a future hope but a present reality. It involves a conversational relationship where we speak to God and listen for His voice, guiding us in our daily lives. This relationship transforms our understanding of God's presence and action in the world. [19:09]

2. Intimacy Beyond Instructions: True intimacy with God goes beyond merely following instructions. It involves understanding God's heart and aligning our desires with His will. This deeper connection allows us to act in harmony with God's purposes without needing constant direction. [26:20]

3. Unique Individuality in God: God shapes our desires and wills, making us unique individuals. Unlike the conformity seen in those who live for themselves, those who live in friendship with God reflect His unique design and purpose. This individuality is a testament to God's creative work in our lives. [32:14]

4. Service as Free People: Our relationship with God is not one of compulsion but of freedom. We are drawn to serve God out of love and reverence, experiencing complete service as free people. This service is a response to God's goodness and beauty, not a burden imposed upon us. [30:39]

5. God's Communication Through Thought: God communicates with us by guiding our thoughts, a process that doesn't always require words. This divine guidance allows us to experience God's presence and direction in our lives, leading to actions that reflect His will and purpose. [23:36]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [17:45] - Discovering Friendship with God
- [18:25] - Frank Laubach's Journey
- [19:09] - Conversational Relationship with God
- [20:59] - Laubach's Literacy Legacy
- [22:24] - The Mystic's Belief
- [23:36] - Divine Communication
- [24:16] - Game with Minutes
- [26:20] - Beyond Instructions
- [28:02] - Profitable Servants
- [30:04] - Friendship and Service
- [31:27] - Unique Individuality
- [32:14] - Shaped Desires
- [33:01] - Living in Conversation with God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Friendship with God

Bible Reading:
1. John 15:15 - "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
2. Psalm 37:4 - "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
3. 1 Corinthians 2:16 - "For, 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

---

Observation Questions:

1. How did Frank Laubach's personal experiences and challenges influence his understanding of being a friend of God? [18:25]

2. What was the unique method Laubach used to communicate with God, and how did it impact his life and work? [19:21]

3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being a servant and a friend of God? [28:02]

4. How does the sermon describe God's communication with us through our thoughts? [23:36]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to have a "conversational relationship" with God, and how might this differ from traditional views of prayer? [19:09]

2. How does the concept of God shaping our desires challenge or affirm your understanding of individuality in faith? [32:14]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that service to God is an act of freedom rather than compulsion? [30:39]

4. How does the idea of being a friend of God influence one's actions in public and private life, according to the sermon? [21:47]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you see it more as a servant-master dynamic or a friendship? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper friendship with God? [26:20]

2. Consider a time when you felt God was guiding your thoughts. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more open to this form of communication in the future? [23:36]

3. How can you align your desires with God's will in your daily life? Identify one area where you feel a misalignment and discuss practical steps to address it. [32:14]

4. Think about a public action or service you are involved in. How does your relationship with God influence your approach to this work? [21:47]

5. What does it mean for you to serve God as a free person? How can you ensure that your service is motivated by love and reverence rather than obligation? [30:39]

6. Reflect on the idea that God shapes our individuality. How can you embrace your unique design and purpose in your community or church? [31:27]

7. How can you incorporate the practice of a "game with minutes" into your daily routine to increase your awareness of God's presence? [24:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Friendship with God as a Living Reality
In the present moment, being a friend of God is a profound reality that transforms our daily lives. This friendship is not just a distant hope for the afterlife but a tangible relationship we can experience now. It involves a conversational relationship where we speak to God and listen for His voice, guiding us in our daily decisions and actions. This dynamic interaction with God reshapes our understanding of His presence and activity in the world, allowing us to live with a sense of divine companionship and purpose. [19:09]

Isaiah 41:8-10 (ESV): "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off'; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a conversational relationship with God today, inviting Him into your daily routine and decisions?

Day 2: Intimacy Beyond Instructions
True intimacy with God transcends the mere following of instructions. It involves understanding God's heart and aligning our desires with His will, allowing us to act in harmony with His purposes without needing constant direction. This deeper connection with God enables us to live out His intentions naturally, as our desires become intertwined with His. By seeking to understand God's heart, we move beyond a transactional relationship and enter into a transformative friendship that shapes our actions and decisions. [26:20]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you seek to understand God's heart more deeply, allowing His desires to shape your actions today?

Day 3: Unique Individuality in God
God shapes our desires and wills, making us unique individuals who reflect His creative design and purpose. Unlike the conformity seen in those who live solely for themselves, those who live in friendship with God embody His unique design and purpose. This individuality is a testament to God's creative work in our lives, as He molds us into distinct expressions of His love and grace. By embracing our God-given uniqueness, we can live lives that are both meaningful and reflective of His divine artistry. [32:14]

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Reflection: How can you embrace your unique individuality in God today, using your distinct gifts and talents to serve His purposes?

Day 4: Service as Free People
Our relationship with God is one of freedom, not compulsion. We are drawn to serve God out of love and reverence, experiencing service as free people. This service is a response to God's goodness and beauty, not a burden imposed upon us. By serving God freely, we find fulfillment and joy in our actions, as they become expressions of our love for Him. This freedom in service allows us to live lives that are both purposeful and aligned with God's will, as we respond to His call with willing hearts. [30:39]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve God and others freely today, motivated by love and reverence rather than obligation?

Day 5: God's Communication Through Thought
God communicates with us by guiding our thoughts, a process that doesn't always require words. This divine guidance allows us to experience God's presence and direction in our lives, leading to actions that reflect His will and purpose. By being attentive to the thoughts and impressions God places on our hearts, we can discern His guidance and respond accordingly. This form of communication invites us to be still and listen, trusting that God is actively involved in shaping our thoughts and actions for His glory. [23:36]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: How can you create space in your day to listen for God's guidance through your thoughts, allowing Him to direct your actions and decisions?

Quotes

"so we're talking about this phrase that's simple but remarkable that we could be a friend of God that you you I could be a friend of God yes yes and um like both of you actually were the ones through whom I found out about this fellow Frank Lubbock uh Methodist educator and missionary in the Philippines who found that he was supposed to be doing God's work but didn't know what does it mean to be a friend of God and I think for a lot of people it's a wonderful sounding phrase and I kind of hope it means that when I die I don't get in trouble but what does it mean right here right now can be harder and and lavik you know in Reading him it was very dramatic for me because he took it so seriously yes and there's that story of him being up on Signal Hill and he was so disappointed in his life he'd had I think all but his one of his children had died of malaria and his wife had to be very far from him he was not able to be president of the school that he was hoping to be president of because he lost by a single vote so much for nobility yeah or stupidity like vote for yourself man uh but but he's up on Signal Hill and and it was so poignant to think of somebody who is seeking to serve God and yet there's this sense of distance estrangement and then in the midst of that pain and often it seems like there has to be pain um and that desperate desire to want that life with God more than you want anything else um and then for the thought to come that God really could speak to him" [00:17:33]

"and then for it to come in such an interesting way as best as I can understand it the way that he would actually experience prayer is he would talk to God and then he would say back what he understood God to be saying to him in fact John I have a little passage yeah of that you know he went to Signal Hill virtually every day for a year he says in this one Passage just at this moment you must hear of this sacred evening the day had been rich but strenuous so I climbed Signal Hill back of my house talking and listening to God all the way up all the way back all the lovely half hour on top and God talked back I let my tongue go loose and from at their flowed poetry far more beautiful than anything I ever composed it flowed without pausing and without ever a failing syllable for half an hour I listened astonished and full of joy and gratitude I wanted a Dictaphone for I knew that I should not be able to remember it and now I cannot why someone may ask did God waste his poetry on you alone when you could not carry it home you will have to ask God that question I only know he did and I am happy in the memory but it's wonderful how out of this he learned a presence of God with him and a speaking voice that then he became this world figure yeah inventive of technique for teaching people to read uh that is still used th1 teach one Each one teach one that's right that's great and uh the very lovely story about how he taught one chief of the morals to read and the chief out of gratitude asked if he if there's anyone that he wanted him to kill because that was one way that the morals tried their love language yeah in fact I think in Gary Chapman's book that's one of that's the sixth love language yeah but you know the thing is that it it seems so private and yet you can't contain it and it was so public I mean he would say in a it was another little book learning the vocabulary of God he would say that little child that can't read is that you speaking to me God which led him to this great literacy yeah work yeah and uh that that it that it his great work came in the area of language you see is actually tied right into the issue of communication and intimacy that comes through that conversational relationship that that he was walking into with God I loved his uh definition of a Mystic which I thought was so memorable he said hey Mystic is somebody who believes when you talk to God God talks back yes yeah and it puts it so simply because either that's the case or God doesn't talk back and I know for me and I think it's probably true for a lot of people I tend to be so suspicious put off by the abuse of God told me some language that I would tend to go to The Other Extreme and close myself off from the possibility yes I think that's what most people do but you know you know really even in the Bible era I mean Paul had to tell right and say despise not prophesy I think he had to say that because there was so much holy baloney going on all right yeah that he said now you know test things that don't despise it test what is true I mean hold fast part of what was so helpful to me and I I think Dallas that you heard about this in hearing God I know C.S Lewis wrote about it Lubbock talks about I love he says the reason that there are so many human beings is God is running experiments with all of them to see how much of me can this person carry in this moment and that thought that was so helpful to me is that communication is simply guiding somebody's thoughts that's right you know that all the communication is is guiding somebody's thoughts because we're finite we have to use finite means we have to use sounds or written images and then because that's happening because I'm making these sounds you're having thoughts that you would not otherwise have but because God is infinite he can guide our thoughts without needing to have any finite means in between and that means it really it becomes very possible that I could be having this thought because God is guiding it and there's still a mystery to it but it's not so confusing then no you know one of the things that's so lovely I mean we can't be on Signal Hill and and in that kind of context but that little book he wrote game with minutes was this sort of practical way that all of us yes and I and I always found it such a delight that he called it a game right how many minutes can I be aware of God's presence and uh at one point in one of his writings he would put these were Journal writings and at the top of the journal entry he would put 50 conscious seventy percent yes whatever and I used to go conscious of what until I you know he was playing this game with minutes you know that's one of the most encouraging thing about this though for those of us who think we're modern and up to date and all of that is that he he was an extremely well educated person in the social sciences especially and in Psychology and that he would put a percentage on it yeah try to get precise with it absolutely well unfortunately speaking of minutes we're to our last minute so that's it for now I'm sorry you had a really profound thought no doubt it was everybody who's watching this video is going to have to go into eternity never having heard it perhaps thank you perhaps God will talk to you you are an unceasing spiritual being created to live in friendship with God forever that helps us understand the intimate relationship with God because when we start talking about hearing God and receiving guidance and so on we are very likely to lose the main point about friendship and that is that communicating with God is Not always or primarily a matter of being told what to do and for many people they cannot progress in their relationship with God because they're just thinking in terms of being told what to do now being in the will of God requires that you go beyond that Jesus told a story about a person who had a servant and the servant was out in the field working and um when the servant came in the master asked him to prepare a meal and and the servant would eat later and he made a star a stunning statement there he said you know if if your servant does what you tell him to do you don't thank him and he says so you likewise if you only do what God tells you to do say we are unprofitable servants do you remember that think about it now if you only do what you're told to do you're an unprofitable servant who is a profitable servant a profitable servant is someone who knows what needs to be done and does it without being told right now that fits in with Jesus's statement about your my friends because you know what I'm doing I call you my friends because you understand what's going on that's the picture of a co-worker not of a servant who stands around waiting to be told what to do your wants and your desires are important in God's plan for you and in general in human relations also things are beginning to go to get what to be what they ought to be if you have people who don't need to be told and I'd like to illustrate that as I do in the book hearing God by talking about our children John and Becky and when they were small if they were playing in the yard or getting into the peanut butter in the kitchen or whatever they were certainly in our will though we weren't telling them what to do and that's crucial in coming to understand the nature of our friendship and intimate relationship with God we are of course talking listening there are times when we're told what to do and that's perfectly all right that's a good thing we should expect it when it's appropriate and I believe that God will provide it but we are not in the relationship of Simply a master and slave not in that relationship now interestingly Paul and some of the other Apostles call themselves slaves of Jesus Christ but that slavery is on the other side of friendship you've already gone through friendship to get to that kind of slavery that is the kind of service that makes God's will and his purposes what Christ is doing in the world makes that primary but it is not something that you're driven to it is something you are drawn to you are drawn to by the goodness and beauty of all that is in God and in his creation and in his world and in that relationship we experience complete service as Free People under someone who respects our wants and our Wills and refines them and helps us become the individuals that he wants us to be you know the only real individuals are Saints and when you get to know them you find their their no two alike Sinners are boringly similar and it's so depressing to see that scene uh you predictable because there's nothing of uniqueness in what they're living for they're living for themselves they're living for their wants without reverence to God they're enslaved to their desires and the world has a hold of them and is pressing them into a mold and they're all very very very similar and all you have to do is watch a little television to see how similar they are but the Saints are unique because God has shaped their wants and their Wills as the psalm Psalm 37 says delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart and I think there's a pleasing ambiguity in that phrase because he actually does give you desires in the sense that he shapes your impulses what you're ready to do what you want so that they match up with his and that's where that saying I give you comes in where I say that God is developing us his intent for us is to come to the place to where he can Empower us to do what we want and then he works on the other side the object or the desire and gives us the desires because he's already given us the desires for what we desire and so now then that is a unique combination that makes every individual living in the conversation with god to be something no one else has ever seen" [00:18:25]

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?