Yesterday was "Friendship Sunday" at my church. We had an awesome Sunday morning with several new guests who came at the invitation of some of our members. My text for the morning's message was John 15:12-17. In this passage Jesus famously says to his disciples: "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15). My sermon outline was organized around three very important questions which are implied in the text: 1) Are you a friend of Jesus?; 2) Are you a friend to Jesus?; and 3) Are you a friend like Jesus? Here are a few thoughts from yesterday's message. What an amazing reality it is that God desires friendship with us!
Are you a friend of Jesus?
Jesus shared these words of love and encouragement with his disciples on the eve of his own darkest hour. Jesus was the Teacher (rabboni), yet, in his own special way, he broke the normal, cultural traditions by not only calling his students "friends" ("servant" would have been the typical designation) but by reminding his friends that he had chosen them, not the other way around (John 15:16). It was customary for a would-be disciple to choose his tutor. Friendship with Jesus (ie. God) is not something that we would choose freely on our own. It is all by his grace.
The disciples had been selected by the Lord and entrusted with the "secret" of his kingdom (see also Psalm 25:14 for an interesting OT correlation). Jesus had invested three years in these men and sought to impart much-needed encouragement to them for terrible trial (his own death) which they would soon face. Jesus graciously called these men from various temporal pursuits in order to impart heavenly wisdom to them and commission them for the eternal work of the church. What's more, Jesus "laid down his life" (ie. his crucifixion) in order that his friends could experience the forgiveness of sins.
Are you a friend to Jesus?
John 15:14 states, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." Becoming friends with God is something that was only possible because of the grace of God. But, the second implied question in this passage concerns the result of this friendship. I put it this way yesterday: We become friends with Jesus by His selection, we exhibit that we are friends with Jesus by our obedience. All friendships run two-directions. There are certain "expectations" or "conditions" assumed in a friendship.
The disciples' lives were radically impacted by their relationship with Jesus. They had observed what true love for God was all about, and Jesus here challenges them to make sure that they remain genuinely committed to fulfilling their purpose even after his death. Belief in Jesus Christ always results, at least to some degree, in "fruit-bearing".
Are you a friend like Jesus?
Jesus was obviously concerned that his followers imitate the sort of sacrificial love which they saw in his life. Twice in this text Jesus says "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (vs. 12, 17). Friendship with Jesus results in obedience to his commands and love for one another. The early church was characterized by authentic care one to another (cf. Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37). This is the often overlooked dimension of friendship with Jesus.
John 13:35 says, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The philos (friend) of God will care about doing the will of God, as well as reflecting the love of Christ with the church. As I shared with my church, Jesus' life and sacrifice not only provided the means of our salvation, but it also set the pattern for our lives as God's reconciled children. Friendship with Jesus should result in obedience to God's will and tender affection for God's children.
For further reflection:
- Could your relationship with Jesus be characterized by the word "friendship"?
- What are the blessings of friendship with Jesus Christ?
- What part does God have in your relationship with Him? What part do you have?
- How are you doing at the "love one another" part? In what practical way can you better cultivate the "greater love" of Jesus for others? What sort of impact might this love have on others?
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