My sermon notes for Sunday, May 27th as we continue our study through The Gospel of John. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
John 15:12–17 – [12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you. [15] 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. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. [17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
John 15:12-17 – You are My Friends
Love one another as I have loved you and called you friends.
Remember, the key to these verses is v. 12 and 17. Our love of one another. We can/should love one another because of the love demonstrated by Christ. HE LOVED US and CALLED US FRIENDS. He has given us an example, but also provided the means by which we can love others… WE ARE HIS FRIENDS.
What does FRIENDSHIP with Jesus really mean?
You are my Friends – THE RELATIONSHIP/POSITION/STANDING – vv. 12-13
- My friends. PERSONAL
- Inner court of the King
- Confidence, trust, intimacy
- We are so undeserving. HE called me to be His friend. I did not call Him. I am His friend, but He is my Lord. We have a close relationship because He brought me in.
- Danger of “pal” or “my buddy”
You are my friends – THE CONDITION/PROOF/EVIDENCE – v. 14
- Not IF…THEN. Because you are my Friend, THEN YOU WILL.
- Logical… if we love Him, listen to Him, trust Him, obey Him. WE ARE HIS FRIEND.
- The example of Abraham
- James 2:18–23 – [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. (ESV)
You are my friends – THE MISSION/TASK/DUTY/CALLING – v. 15a
- Chose you. Called you into this relationship.
- BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH NOT WORKS, SO THAT NO MAN CAN BOAST. (MY ONLY BOAST IS JESUS)
- Appointed you – a particular task. Personal Task.
- Bearing Fruit = FAITHFULNESS – (THE MANIFESTATION OF MY FRIENDSHIP WITH CHRIST)
- Fruit – How I live because of who I am. How I live because of who I know. How I live because of who I am friends with.
- Going fruit
- Bearing fruit
- Abiding fruit
You are my friends – THE PRIVILEGE – vv. 15b, 16b
- Oneness with the Father
- Revelation from the Father (MADE KNOWN)
- Back to Abraham. – 18:17 – Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham was part involved with God and what He was doing. (A special revelation)
- Mark 4:10–12 – [10] And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. [11] And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, [12] so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” (ESV)
- We today can know today (A Kingdom perspective on life)
- Today we have a special revelation. Our Salvation and our Sanctification.
- Through the Gospel
- Through the Spirit
- Through the Word