Embracing Friendship: Fulfilling God's Purpose Together
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the significance of relationships, particularly friendships, in fulfilling God's purposes in our lives. The speaker draws on Jesus' example of profound conversations with His friends, especially in the Upper Room, to illustrate the importance of deep connections at the table, where communion and discussions about future roles took place. Personal anecdotes about the enrichment of life through gatherings with church friends around the table are shared.
The series "Relacionémonos" (Let's Relate) is introduced, focusing on the commandment to love one another as found in the Gospel of John. The speaker stresses that the friends we choose shape our future and contribute to success in all areas of life. Serving out of love rather than obligation is highlighted, with the church reminded that they are friends, not slaves, of Jesus. The importance of sharing the hope found in Jesus and teaching others God's principles is underscored.
The table is portrayed as a space for sharing weaknesses, achievements, and experiences of God's work in our lives. It is a place for conversation, support, and prayer, where Jesus provides answers and restores souls. The speaker calls for a shift from living for oneself to living for others, as exemplified by Jesus' question about readiness to live for Him.
Choosing friends who know God and helping them grow is crucial, as is sharing the message of salvation with those who do not know God. The speaker encourages being a testimony and living letter of God to friends, with the aim of bringing them closer to God and bearing lasting fruit.
Loving the friends of Jesus involves supporting them in difficult times and showing empathy and understanding. Knowing the truth is another characteristic of a friend of Jesus, as Jesus shares his desires, plans, and purposes with his friends.
The speaker reflects on how God's grace and mercy have transformed their relationships and emphasizes the importance of friendship in salvation. The Gospel includes a friendship with Jesus on Earth, and through Jesus, believers have a restored relationship with God.
The sermon calls for maintaining intimacy with God and building relationships based on love. It encourages praying for the ability to love one another, to know the truth, and to fulfill the calling to share God's message. The speaker prays for unity among believers and alignment with God's desires.
The speaker highlights characteristics of friends of Jesus, such as gentleness, humility, self-control, and the ability to help others bear fruit. The main weapon for producing fruit is love, and friends of Jesus have their prayers answered when they align with Jesus' desires.
The speaker uses the analogy of a bonsai tree to illustrate the concept of remaining connected to Jesus to bear fruit. Jesus' request to the Father during his suffering is discussed, emphasizing the desire for a holy and pure church and friends who know the Father and Jesus.
The importance of giving our lives for the youth, as Jesus did, is stressed. The speaker encourages praying for friends and emphasizes the importance of parents praying with their children.
The speaker prays for opportunities to reach out to friends and emphasizes the importance of being a channel of blessing. An invitation is extended to become a friend of Jesus and reconcile with God.
The concept of pruning is discussed, with Jesus' pruning of his disciples, particularly Peter, highlighted as an example for believers to help their friends grow and bear fruit.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of sharing meals and engaging in deep conversations at the table is not only a biblical model exemplified by Jesus but also a vital practice for fostering meaningful relationships within the church community. This setting allows for the exchange of personal experiences, mutual support, and spiritual growth, reinforcing the communal aspect of faith. [41:01]
- True friendship, as depicted in the Gospel of John, is rooted in sacrificial love and the willingness to lay down one's life for others. This principle extends beyond mere words to the tangible actions and choices we make, influencing the trajectory of our lives and aligning with the example set by Jesus. [02:46] [04:19] [05:55]
- Serving Jesus and others out of love rather than obligation transforms our actions from mere duty to heartfelt expressions of our faith. This distinction is crucial in understanding our identity as friends of Jesus, called to share His truth and hope with the world. [18:00] [18:48] [19:36]
- The concept of bearing fruit in the Christian life is multifaceted, encompassing the visible demonstration of Christ's character through love, joy, peace, and other virtues. This fruitfulness is a direct result of remaining connected to Jesus, the true vine, and is essential for a vibrant and impactful faith journey. [22:48] [23:36] [24:24] [25:12]
- Prayer is a powerful tool for aligning our desires with those of Jesus, and it is through this communion that we can experience the fulfillment of our requests. As friends of Jesus, our prayers are not self-centered but are focused on furthering His kingdom and embodying His love in every aspect of our lives. [33:44] [34:34] [35:22]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Juan 15:12-17 (NTV)
- Romanos 5:10-11 (NTV)
### Observation Questions
1. ¿Qué mandamiento específico da Jesús a sus discípulos en Juan 15:12-17? [04:06]
2. Según el sermón, ¿cuáles son las tres categorías de amigos mencionadas? [06:42]
3. ¿Qué factores se mencionan en el sermón como causas de la decadencia de la amistad? [07:23]
4. ¿Qué significa ser un amigo de Jesús según el sermón? [12:15]
### Interpretation Questions
1. ¿Por qué es importante el mandamiento de amarse unos a otros en el contexto de la amistad cristiana? [14:00]
2. ¿Cómo se relaciona la idea de dar la vida por los amigos con la vida y el sacrificio de Jesús? [10:30]
3. ¿Qué implica conocer la verdad como amigos de Jesús y cómo esto afecta nuestras relaciones con otros? [16:20]
4. ¿Cómo podemos entender el concepto de dar fruto permanente en nuestras vidas diarias? [24:42]
### Application Questions
1. ¿Cómo puedes aplicar el mandamiento de Jesús de amarse unos a otros en tus relaciones actuales? Piensa en una acción concreta que puedas tomar esta semana. [14:00]
2. Reflexiona sobre tus amistades actuales. ¿Hay alguna relación que necesite más apoyo o empatía de tu parte? ¿Qué pasos puedes tomar para mejorar esa relación? [15:35]
3. ¿Cómo puedes ser un testimonio viviente de la verdad de Jesús en tu círculo de amigos? Identifica una manera específica de compartir tu fe esta semana. [17:12]
4. ¿Qué tipo de fruto estás produciendo en tu vida? Elige un aspecto del fruto del Espíritu (amor, gozo, paz, paciencia, etc.) y piensa en una acción concreta para cultivarlo. [29:14]
5. ¿Cómo puedes mejorar tu vida de oración para que esté más alineada con los deseos de Jesús? Considera un cambio específico que puedas hacer en tu rutina de oración. [35:01]
6. ¿Hay algún amigo o familiar que necesite de tu oración y apoyo en este momento? ¿Cómo puedes ser un canal de bendición para ellos? [48:59]
7. ¿Estás dispuesto a vivir para otros como Jesús lo hizo? ¿Qué cambios específicos puedes hacer en tu vida para reflejar este compromiso? [45:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Communion at the Table Nurtures Community
Breaking bread together fosters a sense of belonging and spiritual intimacy among believers. It is in these moments of shared meals and conversations that individuals can exchange life experiences, offer support, and grow together in faith. This practice, modeled by Jesus, is essential for building a strong, interconnected church community. [41:01]
Acts 2:46-47 - "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you create opportunities for deeper fellowship in your own life, perhaps by inviting someone to share a meal and conversation this week?
Day 2: Sacrificial Love Shapes Our Journey
The essence of true friendship is found in the willingness to sacrifice for others, mirroring the love Jesus demonstrated. This sacrificial love is a powerful force that can alter life's direction, fostering success and alignment with divine purposes. It calls for action that goes beyond words, challenging believers to live out their faith through their relationships. [02:46] [04:19] [05:55]
1 John 3:16-18 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Reflection: Who in your life might be in need of sacrificial love today, and how can you practically show that love to them?
Day 3: Serving from the Heart Reflects True Friendship
When service stems from love rather than obligation, it transforms into a genuine expression of faith. This approach to service is indicative of a friendship with Jesus, where actions are motivated by love and a desire to share His hope and truth with others. It is a call to live out the identity as friends of Jesus, not merely servants. [18:00] [18:48] [19:36]
Galatians 5:13-14 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you serve someone this week as an expression of your love for Jesus and not just as an obligation?
Day 4: Fruitfulness Flows from Connection with Jesus
The visible demonstration of Christ's character in a believer's life, such as love, joy, peace, and other virtues, is the fruit that comes from a deep connection with Jesus. This fruitfulness is essential for a vibrant and impactful faith journey and is a testament to the life-giving relationship with the true vine. [22:48] [23:36] [24:24] [25:12]
John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, as I also 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What are some ways you can cultivate a closer relationship with Jesus to ensure you are bearing His fruit in your daily life?
Day 5: Prayer Aligns Us with Jesus' Desires
Prayer is not just a means to present requests but a way to align one's desires with those of Jesus. As friends of Jesus, the focus of prayer shifts from self-centeredness to seeking the advancement of His kingdom and embodying His love. Through this communion, believers can experience the fulfillment of their prayers in alignment with divine will. [33:44] [34:34] [35:22]
James 4:3 - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your prayers are aligned with Jesus' desires, and what might you need to change in your prayer life to reflect this?
Quotes
"Porque tener buenos amigos es vital, es crucial, para que ustedes puedan llegar a cumplir los propósitos de Dios para tu vida." [02:46] (Download)
"Muéstrame quiénes son tus amigos y te diré tu futuro. Si buscamos amistades correctas, esas amistades son las que nos van a ayudar al éxito de cada área de nuestras vidas." [05:55] (Download)
"Los amigos de Jesús necesitamos dar fruto todo el tiempo y ayudarles a otros amigos a que den fruto. Cuando Jesús quiere que nosotros vayamos produciendo fruto, recordemos que ese es su principal arma, el amor." [34:34] (Download)
"Los amigos de Jesús tienen oraciones respondidas. A un verdadero amigo de Jesús se les responde sus oraciones. Estoy pidiendo por Jesús porque esto es lo que Él querría y Dios va a responder." [35:22] (Download)
"Los amigos de Jesús cumplen por amor. Y nosotros no somos esclavos, somos los amigos de Jesús. Nuestra pasión es la pasión de Jesús. Queremos lo que él quiere." [18:00] (Download)
"Es en la mesa donde nosotros hablamos y conversamos. Nos apoyamos mutuamente, oramos mutu... Muchas veces cometemos fallas. Muchas veces nos ha tocado pedir perdón. Muchas veces nosotros perdonamos." [44:13] (Download)
"Y es en la mesa donde Jesús tiene respuesta. Es en la íntima comunión donde dejamos que Él nos lave los pies y nos prepare para ser los amigos de Dios. Para que nuestra alma sea restaurada." [45:06] (Download)
"Dios nos abre en una conversación en Su mesa. Allí nos invita a morir nuestros deseos y responder al Suyo porque Dios quiere usar esta generación." [45:58] (Download)
"Jesús preparó a sus íntimos en la mesa, y este es el lugar más importante de la iglesia." [42:37] (Download)
"La primera característica es que un amigo de Jesús ama a sus hermanos. Un amigo de Jesús ama a los otros amigos de Jesús." [12:46] (Download)
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