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Watch Online Sermons 2025 » John Bevere » John Bevere - Come Close to God, and He Will Come Close to You

John Bevere - Come Close to God, and He Will Come Close to You


John Bevere - Come Close to God, and He Will Come Close to You
TOPICS: The Awe of Go

Let me tell you something: I want, with all my heart, to be a friend of God. But just like you and I choose our friends, you just finished chapter 33; now let’s dive a little deeper into it. Okay? Whoa, whoa, whoa! Abraham is called the friend of God—what an honor, what a privilege! First of all, not just to be saved, but to be called the friend of God. Now, look at the relationship between God and Abraham: absolutely amazing! One day, God says, «Should we do what we’re planning on doing to Sodom and Gomorrah without first talking to our friend Abraham?»

So the Lord comes down and meets Abraham at the terebinth trees, I think they’re called, and they have a meal together—the Lord and two angels. Abraham prepares a meal, and they dine together. The angels go down to the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, while God and Abraham walk to the cliff. God looks at Abraham and says, «Abe, we’re thinking about destroying these two cities—what do you think?» And Abraham responds, «Sodom…» The Lord goes, «Yeah, yeah, and Gomorrah—what do you think?» Abraham then thinks, «Oh my goodness, my nephew Lot is over there in Sodom! Think, Abraham, think!» So Abraham says, «You wouldn’t kill all those people if there were 50 righteous people in that city, would you?» And the Lord says, «Oh man, that’s a good idea! Great idea! Glad we talked to our friend Abraham. We will not destroy the cities if there are 50 righteous people.»

Abraham says, «What about 45? You wouldn’t do it if there were 45?» And God replies, «Another good idea. Okay, we won’t destroy the cities if there are 45; glad we talked to our friend Abraham.» Well, Abraham negotiates all the way down to 10. He figures there’s got to be 10; I mean, Lot is one—all he needs is nine others. But there aren’t! Now here’s what’s alarming: Sodom and Gomorrah are buying, trading, selling, marrying, and giving in marriage. What does that mean in our vernacular today? Life is great, and if there’s a God, He doesn’t mind our lifestyle. They are 24 hours away from being obliterated and are clueless.

That’s not what’s scary. This is what’s really scary: the Bible says Lot, who is called righteous in Scripture—so I’ll put it in today’s terminology: he’s a Christian, he’s born again—Lot is 24 hours away from being obliterated, and he’s as clueless as Sodom! That’s mind-blowing! He doesn’t know what’s about to happen. It takes two messengers of mercy—two angels—because Abraham prayed; thank God Abraham prayed! They get him and his family out, and you know his wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. That’s why Jesus said in the New Testament, «Remember Lot’s wife.»

Now this is what’s crazy: you’ve got two men; they’re both righteous, they’re both saved, they’re both born again—let’s put it in today’s terms. One righteous man knows what God’s going to do before He does it and actually helps God decide how He’ll do it. The other righteous man is as clueless as Sodom and Gomorrah; he was as clueless as the world. Wow! Why? This righteous man fears God; therefore, he’s the friend of God and shares the secret. This righteous man does not fear God; therefore, he’s not the friend of God and doesn’t know the secrets of God.

Now, why is Lot not the friend of God? If you remember, when they separated, Abraham said, «Our herdsmen cannot get along together. You go one way, I’ll go the other. You take your choice.» Lot took a long look—it says it in the New Living Translation—a long, long look at the plains of Sodom. You know what I think is going on? Why the long look? He’s thinking, «How can I go down there, enjoy the fruitfulness of that land, but not be sucked into the wickedness?» And he says, «I’ve got an idea—I’m going to pitch my tent.» And that’s what he did; he pitched his tent in the plains of Sodom.

Well, it wasn’t long before Sodom pulled him in, and when the angels came, he wasn’t in a tent; he was actually inside the gates, in a house. He had been sucked into the world’s ways! He was a very carnal believer; therefore, he didn’t know the plans and secrets of God like Abraham because he lacked holy fear. Let me tell you something: I want, with all my heart, to be a friend of God. But just like you and I choose our friends, there are people who want to be friends with you that maybe you say, «You know what, I’ve got a lot of friends, and I look at your lifestyle, and I really don’t want to be a friend with you. I’ll help you if you need anything; I’ll be there for you, but you’re not coming into my inner circle.»

God does the same thing: He says there are people He loves, who He will meet their needs—they’re His people, they’re part of His kingdom—but they’re not honoring Him. He can’t trust them; He can’t bring them in as His close friends. I know that if you’re this far in this book, you want to be a friend of God. So, I want to encourage you: when you make obedience a priority because of your holy fear, you’re going to become the friend of God, and He’s going to share His intimate secrets with you.