Wednesday Evening, July 29th

The Journey 2009
Pastor Kurt Gebhards

Key Text: John 15:12-17

*Five Rewards of friendship with Jesus Christ:

1. Access through the severity of His sacrifice

Romans 5:6-11--we are helpless, ungodly, sinners and enemies of God.

Hebrews 7:25
John 6:37
Isa. 57:15; 66:2
Jeremiah 29:12-13

- Jesus has the power and inclination to help and benefit sinners.

- We have a tempation to really, really want Christ but not need Christ.

- We need to respond by love Christ with a weeping affection.

2. Upgrade from slave to confidant.

- God has transcending greatness yet He offers us His friendship.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2--we are still slaves to serve Christ.

Matthew 28:20

3. Inclusion in the close council of God
Hebrews 10:19-22

- Jesus gives us access to the holy place, the throne room of God, through His blood.

4. Assured, affirmative responses to our prayers
John 14:13; 15:7; 16:23-24

5. Abiding fruit in our faithful effort

- We must be found able of Christ's appointment through His friendship.
1 Corinthians 3:6

- Planting and watering requires excursion.

**Each of us are as close to Christ as we choose to be.**

*Building my relationship with Christ involved reading the Word of God and communion with Christ in prayer:

1. Constant
- Reading: meditation
- Prayer: praying at all times 1 Thes. 5:17

2. Closet
- Reading: study plan; regularity
- Prayer: secret

3. Corporate
- Reading: fellowshipping with the saints of God through the preaching of His Word.
- Prayer: believers praying with one another

Psalm 115:12