3 Minute Church: Friendship with God
This blog unpacks Pastor Caleb Culver’s Sermon from January 19, 2025
“Many people confide in the Father, but does the Father confide in you? Many share their burdens with the Lord, but does the Lord share his burden with you?”
Pastor Caleb Culver
God doesn't require friendship, but He does desire it.
LET'S BREAK IT DOWN:
Have you ever considered what it means to be a friend of God—not just a follower or servant but a true friend?
Think back to your childhood best friend. What made that relationship special? Perhaps it was a sense of kinship: the shared activities, the secrets whispered, or simply the joy of being together. True friendship is built on shared experiences, loyalty, and mutual trust.
Imagine applying these same principles to your relationship with God.
Just as good friends have a history together, building a friendship with God involves walking through life with Him.
Creating a shared history with God means inviting Him into every aspect of your life. It's about seeing His hand in your daily experiences and recognizing His presence in the mundane and the extraordinary. '
When you look back on simple moments in your life, do you see them through the lens of God's presence or lack thereof?
Abraham, described as a "friend of God," demonstrated extraordinary loyalty when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. This wasn't blind obedience to an impersonal command but a profound act of trust in a relationship he deeply valued.
Loyalty in our friendship with God often requires sacrifice. As we draw closer to Jesus, we may find that we need to leave certain things behind.
To walk with Jesus, you might need to leave something behind: trauma, a change in heart posture, etc.
What might God be asking you to release in order to deepen your friendship with Him?
Remember, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. The joy and peace found in walking closely with God far outweigh any temporal sacrifices we might make.
True friends share not only joys but also burdens.
We're encouraged to cast our anxieties on God because He cares for us. Friends share secrets and bear each other’s burdens.
But have you ever considered that God might want to share His burdens with you, too?
God is inviting us into this level of intimacy—to feel His heart for the lost, weep over the brokenness in our cities, and intercede with the passion for mercy and justice.
Imagine a church filled with people who don't just pray for their own needs but who weep with God over the lost in their city.
Picture believers who don't just complain about moral decay but intercede with God's heart for those trapped in sin and brokenness. This kind of intercession isn't born out of anger or judgment but out of a deep understanding of God's mercy.
It's the cry of those who have experienced God's love and long to see others encounter it, too.
Friendship with God is not reserved for an elite few. It's an open invitation to anyone willing to say yes, linger in His presence, bear His burdens, and align their heart with His.
When was the last time you bore His tears?
James 4 presents us with a challenging yet beautiful invitation: "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."
Remember that drawing near to God only comes with one benefit: God Himself.
It's not about gaining special favors or unlocking secret blessings, but the reward we get when we intimately know our Creator.
We can’t change the fact that we are sons and daughters of Christ—that bond is made permanent by His blood spilled on Calvary—but we can change our status of friendship.
What will your friendship status with God be?
Tap to watch Pastor Caleb Culver’s full sermon on Youtube.
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Friendship with God
Reading: James 4:1-10
Devotional: God desires a deep, personal friendship with each of us. This passage reminds us that drawing near to God isn't about religious rituals or striving but about cultivating a genuine relationship. Reflect on your own friendship with God. Are there areas where you've been keeping Him at arm's length? Consider how you can open your heart more fully to His presence today. Remember, God isn't distant or cold - He yearns jealously for your companionship. Take time to simply be with Him, sharing your thoughts and listening for His voice.
Day 2: Walking with God
Reading: Genesis 5:21-24, Amos 3:3
Devotional: Enoch's life was marked by his consistent walk with God. This intimate, day-to-day relationship is available to all believers. Consider the shared experiences you've had with God - times of joy, sorrow, victory, and struggle. How have these moments deepened your connection with Him? Today, invite God into every aspect of your life, from mundane tasks to significant decisions. Practice awareness of His presence, and look for ways to include Him in your daily walk.
Day 3: Loyalty in Friendship
Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
Devotional: Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates profound loyalty to God. While God doesn't ask us to sacrifice our children, He does call us to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. Reflect on areas in your life where your loyalty to God is being tested. Are there things you're hesitant to surrender? Remember, God's plans for us are always rooted in love, even when they're challenging. Ask for the grace to trust Him more deeply, knowing that He is faithful even when we struggle.
Day 4: Bearing God's Burden
Reading: Genesis 18:16-33
Devotional: Abraham's intercession for Sodom reveals a heart aligned with God's. He was willing to linger, to feel God's grief, and to plead for mercy. In our own lives, how often do we take time to understand God's heart for our communities and the world? Today, ask God to break your heart for what breaks His. Spend time in prayer for your city, your neighbors, or a specific group of people. Allow yourself to feel God's compassion and to intercede boldly, knowing that He delights in showing mercy.
Day 5: From Servants to Friends
Reading: John 15:9-17
Devotional: Jesus elevates His disciples from servants to friends, sharing with them the Father's heart. This invitation extends to us as well. Friendship with God isn't about gaining special privileges but about sharing His mission and heart for the world. Reflect on how your relationship with God has evolved over time. Are you still relating to Him primarily as a servant, or have you embraced the intimacy of friendship? Today, ask Jesus to deepen your friendship with Him. Share your heart openly, and listen for what He wants to share with you. Remember, true friendship with God will always lead us to greater love for others and involvement in His redemptive work in the world.