Msg #1435 Sanctification and Friendship

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

"Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends" (John 15:15), a friend of God. A son of Eber obeyed God and set out looking "for a city which hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11) When he crossed over one Jordan River, his path took him to friendship with God. It is a path worthy of our consideration. "Hebrew" defined, are son's of Eber, ones from beyond, who multiplied in God's blessing. They were given the oracles of God which give Abram's account. Genesis 13 details Abram's second step towards this friendship, he had to separate from things before he could have an association with God. The Hebrew tongue has a word for association, it is Hebron, which is where Abram was camped in the last verse of this chapter. The chapter opens with Abram camped between the house of God (Hbrw- Bethel) and a heap of ruin (Hbrw- Hai) and it details his separation from his kindred (Lot), his kindred's wealth, aspirations, and evil eye. The Bible says Lot had a righteous soul, (2Pet 2:7-8) but God was pleased when Abram separated himself from Lot's pernicious way. When walking toward God one needs separation from the world, but sometimes we need to separate from believers in their error. Even a believer can operate like a wolf in sheep's clothing, doing great harm to the cause of Christ. Even though Lot was a believer, family, and companion, when Abram separated from him, God expanded Abram's promise, and led him to the plain of strength and fatness (Hbrw- Mamre). There God reestablished his association. (Hbrw- Hebron). Sanctified means separated unto God, and sanctification is an essential to friendship with God.

An Essay for week #35 08/31/2014

In paperback at www.lulu.com/spotlight/GSBaptistChurch

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs140831.mp3

"Reformed Theology Is Not A Biblical Theology " found at http://www.gsbaptistchurch.com/seminary/master_thesis/thesis_reformed.pdf