John 15:1-8
The Clergy Journal shared disturbing information about making friends: 60% of men over 30
cannot identify a single person they would call a close friend.
Of the 40% who list friends,
most were made during childhood or school years.
Most women can identify 5 or
6 women whom they call close friends. A closer look shows that a lot of these
were functional relationships. Friendship is not easy to develop. 1
It is not easy to have close
friend. If you have been disappointed by your close friends, I have good news
for you: Jesus is calling us friends.
You are my friends if you do what I
command. (vs.14)
Please tell me of
any religion where God calls us FRIENDS?
What a wonderful
relationship! God likes to have an
intimate relationship with His creation.
We read
these words in John 15 before the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Can you
imagine the joy of his disciples when they heard these words? Life went on, and
the disciples learned to live after the resurrection. So often we live our lives as if it is before the cross
and resurrection. In the coming week, we will celebrate
the ascension of Jesus to heaven. Again the disciples were not happy
that Jesus was going away. However, Jesus did not live us alone, he sent us the
Holy Spirit to sustain his presence among us.
We are
chosen to be his friends, to bear fruits. To be chosen by God is not just a
privilege. He chose us so we can bear fruits: This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselves to be my disciples. (vs. 8)
God is always calling us. Jesus
is knocking the door of your heart. If you open yourself to Jesus, He is ready
to call you friend. And he will choose you to be his friend so that you can be
an instrument for God.
How are we going
to be his FRIEND when we do not have time?
How can you be a friend
to anyone when you do not spend time with that person?
Verse 14 says: You are my friends if you do what I
command.
IF YOU DO WHAT I
COMMAND YOU.
The grace of salvation is
free, but to keep that grace in your life is costly and there are
responsibilities.
In verse 4 we read: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in
me.
In verse 7 we read: If you remain in me and my words remain in
you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
In verse 9 we read:
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Remain in me, remain in my words,
remain in my love: Jesus explains the kind
of relationship we should have with him. It is a relationship that involves
intimacy, communication and bearing his fruits.
We will continue in the English sermon.
1 Illustration from eSermons: Dr. David Leininger, Jesus Friend