Sermon Notes on John15 - Jesus is your friend
Aug/23/2007 11:12 Filed in: Sermon Notes
Prayer
I think this has a great impact for how you can pray to him.
First, please read the whole passage in your Bible: John15,10-17.
Pray to Jesus as to your friend?
Doesn't that ignore the difference between Jesus and us? He is God, right? People who have been raised in the Christian faith often find this too familiar.If you are afraid of this, consider this:
- Jesus spoke these words. We can and should regard him as our friend if he says so.
- the general way in which Jesus spoke tells us that he is not speaking about the 12 disciples only. V. 13 is true for every Christian: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus laid down his life for you. He is the best friend you'll ever find.
- calling Jesus your friend implies a lifestyle that is characterized by discipleship: vs. 14 and 15 show that the disciples Jesus is talking about are the ones who follow his commands and who know the things that Jesus taught. Calling Jesus your friend can never lead to a familiarity that ignores his authority and identity as God's Son and the savior.
- if you understand friendship you will know that good friends never misuse their friendship. Claiming Jesus as your friend while praying for your own desires and trying to use him for your own agenda shows that do not know Jesus at all. Jesus said: "a servant does not know his master's business"; a friend however, is not only in the know but he defends and supports his friend's business. Jesus' disciples can call themselves his friends if they make his kingdom their first priority.
Go ahead, pray to Jesus, your friend!