What A Friend
John 15:9-17
May 18, 2003
Morning Service
INTRODUCTION
I. The Story of Rudy
II. What is a friend?
A. Definitions
1. Friendship definitions
a.) One who multiplies joy and divides grief
b.) One who understands our silence
c.) A volume of sympathy bound in cloth
d.) A watch that beats true and never runs down
e.) Winner - A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out
2. Another Great Definition
a.) A friend is one who knows where you are, understands where you’ve been, accepts who you’ve become and still gently invites you to grow.
b.) Prosperity begets friends, adversity proves them
c.) Friends are like good health; you don’t realize what a gift they are until you lose them.
B. Why is friendship so important?
1. Friends make life complete
2. Friendship allows us to be ourselves without fear or despair
3. Friendship gives us a glimpse of the love of God
BODY : The Qualities of the Friendship of Jesus
I. Jesus offers unconditional love
A. Jesus offers divine love
1. The love of Jesus is supernatural
a.) The love that Jesus gives is beyond our human ability to fully understand
b.) The love that Jesus gives has the power to transform lives
2. The love of Jesus cannot be earned
a.) There is no possible way for you to ever be able to earn the love of Jesus
b.) There is no possible way for you to ever be able to lose the love of Jesus
No way to earn or lose
Fullness is found in following
a.) Fullness of Christ’s love is transforming – once you have it you are no longer the same
He is the greatest master I have ever known. If there is anyone greater, I do not know him. Jesus Christ is the only master supremely worth serving. He is the only ideal that never loses its inspiration. He is the only friend whose friendship meets every demand. He is the only Savior who can save the uttermost. We go forth in His name, in His power, and in His Spirit to serve Him. David Livingstone
b.) Fullness brings us new joy in life – Life with Jesus is filled with joy
The friendship Christ offers
1. Christ has laid down His life
a.) Jesus has died in your place
b.) Jesus lives to reveal the depth of God’s love for you
Set during the french Revolution, it is the story of two friends, Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. Darnay is a young Frenchman who has been thrown in a dungeon to await the guillotine. Carton is a wasted English lawyer whose life has been one of careless reprobation.
In a beautiful allegory of Christ’s atonement for us, Carton slips into the dungeon and exchanges clothes with the prisoner, allowing Darnay to escape. The next morning, Sydney Carton makes his way up the steps that lead to the guillotine. His final words are triumphant:
"I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy, in that England which I shall see no more -- it is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."
2. Christ wants to call you His friend
a.) Christ allows us special status
b.) Christ wants to share in your life
3. Christ wants to have a special relationship with you
a.) Christ wants to give you special knowledge – Knowledge of Him
b.) Christ wants to let you know Him
The life Christ allows
1. Christ has a purpose for your life
a.) Jesus has chosen you
b.) Jesus wants to work through your life
2. Christ has a productivity for your life
a.) Jesus wants your life to be fruitful
b.) Jesus wants you to have lasting results in life
3. Christ has a provision for your life
a.) God has the ability to provide all that you need
b.) Jesus will give you a life worth living
CONCLUSION
I had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you’d want me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited -- you never called -- I just kept on loving you.
As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face -- trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn’t even think of Me; I wanted so much to comfort you.
The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work -- you didn’t even notice. My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.
I love you, oh, if you’d only listen. I really love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of all the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and compose love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s sweet scent. My love for you is deeper than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you’d only realize how I care.
My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him -- He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So, please; call on Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait -- because I love you. (Your Friend, Jesus)
How do I become a friend of Christ?
A - Admit that you are a sinner
1. The term of sin is not just about guilt. It is about a simple fact that all humanity must face.
2. The Greek word for sin literally means to miss the mark or make a mistake
3. When we admit that we have sinned – God, I’ve messed up, I’ve blown it
B - Believe in Jesus
1. Believe that Jesus died in your place
2. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead
3. Believe that Jesus lives to bring life to you and others
C - Commit your life to Him
1. Commit to turning from sin to Jesus
2. Commit to His Lordship
a.) Commit to follow Him
b.) Commit to live for Him
