Friends Of Jesus

Text: John 15:13-15

(13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

(15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Introduction

Mark Wellman gained national attention in the summer of 1989 by climbing the sheer face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The fact that Mark climbed the mountain is not the remarkable part, but the fact that he did so being a paraplegic. Mark climbed for seven days with the help of his close friend, Mike Corbett. Mike would hold while Mark would pull himself up the granite face.

These two men shared a depth of friendship that seems to be a thing of the past in our society.

It is Jesus’ desire that we be His friends. He desires to have a personal relationship with you. He desires your friendship.

There are many instances in the Bible where people were friends with God. Abraham was known as the friend of God. Enoch was his friend for he walked with God. Noah was Gods friend – he found grace in the eyes of the Lord when the rest of the world was Gods enemy and God judged them.

I. What Is A Friend

A. Some who cares

B. Someone who is there when you need them

C. Someone you can trust

D. Someone once said "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

E. Someone else said that “A friend is someone who tells you more truth” (Pro 27:6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

F. A friend is willing to take the chance of offending you to help you.

II. Friends or Enemy

A. There is no middle or neutral ground with God you are either His friend or His enemy. We either abide in His love or in His wrath. (Joh 15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love

B. His enemies are those who do not do what He says. Jesus said “ (John 15:14) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”

C. Those who have broken the laws of God are his enemy. (Psa 7:11) God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day

D. One who follows after the flesh is an enemy of God (Rom 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be

E. One who is a friend of the world (the society we live in) is an enemy. (Jas 4:4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God

III. The Greatest Friend

A. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

B. He took our wrath - (Isa 53:5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

C. He washes our sins away (1Jn 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin

D. He gives us eternal life. (Joh 11:25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

E. He gives us peace in times of trouble. (Joh 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

F.

What a friend. What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?