Embracing God's Love: Chosen for Purpose and Friendship

Devotional

Day 1: God Chose You First—Respond to His Invitation

Before you ever thought of seeking God, He had already chosen you and extended His invitation of love and salvation. This truth means that your relationship with God is not based on your own merit or initiative, but on His gracious decision to offer you forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Yet, being chosen is not automatic entry; you must respond to His invitation by admitting your need for a Savior and accepting the gift of salvation. Just as a wedding invitation requires a response, so does God’s call—He desires that you say “yes” to Him, put on the righteousness of Christ, and enter into a real relationship with Him. [51:26]

John 15:16 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been hesitant to respond to God’s invitation? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him today in that area?

Day 2: Friendship with Jesus—Relationship, Not Just Religion

Jesus calls you not just to be a servant who follows rules, but to be His friend—someone who knows the Father’s heart and is brought into His inner circle. This friendship is not casual; it is a covenant relationship marked by love and obedience, where you are invited to know God’s business and participate in His mission. True friendship with Jesus transforms your life from mere religious routine to a living, dynamic relationship, where you are known, loved, and called to walk closely with Him every day. [01:03:00]

John 15:13-15 (ESV)
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. 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."

Reflection: In what ways have you settled for religious routine instead of real friendship with Jesus? How can you intentionally deepen your relationship with Him this week?

Day 3: You Are Appointed for a Purpose

God did not create you randomly or by accident; He intentionally appointed you for a specific purpose in this time and place. Just as He knew Jeremiah before he was born and set him apart, God has uniquely designed you to fulfill good works that He prepared in advance. Your past, your weaknesses, or your doubts do not disqualify you—God’s calling and appointment are based on His plan, not your qualifications. Embrace the truth that you are here “for such a time as this,” and trust that God will equip you for the work He has set before you. [01:16:10]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Reflection: What is one unique way you sense God has appointed you to serve or impact others? What step can you take today to walk in that purpose?

Day 4: Bear Fruit That Lasts—Let the Spirit Work in You

God’s desire is not just that you believe, but that your life produces lasting fruit—evidence of His Spirit at work in your character and your impact on others. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—grows as you surrender daily to God and allow Him to shape you. This fruit is not about striving in your own strength, but about staying connected to Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit transform you from the inside out, resulting in a life that glorifies God and draws others to Him. [01:30:57]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you most desire to see grow in your life right now? What is one practical way you can surrender that area to God today?

Day 5: Stay Connected—Abide in Christ for Eternal Impact

The key to a fruitful and impactful life is staying connected to Jesus, the true vine. When you abide in Him through prayer, worship, and time in His Word, His life flows through you, enabling you to bear fruit that will last for eternity. This connection is not about struggling or striving, but about remaining rooted in Christ and allowing His Spirit to continually work in you. As you walk in this truth, your life will not only be transformed, but you will also bring others with you into God’s kingdom—making an eternal difference. [01:33:04]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How can you intentionally stay connected to Jesus this week—through prayer, worship, or time in His Word—so that your life bears fruit that impacts eternity?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of God’s intentional love and calling over each of our lives. We began by remembering that God is not distant or indifferent—He is for us, not against us. Just as we desire the best for our children and grandchildren, God desires our good even more. This truth is at the heart of the gospel: God chose us first, sending His Son so that we might have the opportunity to respond to His invitation. Our salvation is not something we initiated; it is a gift that began with God’s choice, and our response is to accept and walk in that gift.

We reflected on the meaning of being “chosen” by God. Using the parable of the wedding banquet, we saw that being chosen is not automatic entry—there must be a response. God’s invitation is extended to all, but only those who accept it and put on the “wedding garments” of Christ’s righteousness are truly part of His kingdom. This is not about religious ritual or mere attendance; it’s about a living relationship with God through Jesus.

Jesus calls us not just servants, but friends. This friendship is not casual; it is a covenant relationship marked by obedience and intimacy. Servants may follow orders without understanding, but friends are brought into the inner circle, knowing the Father’s business. Jesus laid down His life for us, and in response, we are called to lay down our lives daily—taking up our cross, surrendering our will, and following Him. This is the evidence of true friendship with Christ: a life transformed by His Spirit, marked by obedience and fruitfulness.

God has not only chosen us, but He has appointed us for a purpose. Each of us is intentionally placed in this time and place, set apart for good works that God prepared in advance. Our past does not disqualify us; God redeems and uses even the most unlikely people for His glory. Like Paul, we are chosen instruments, called to bear lasting fruit.

This fruit is both character—the fruit of the Spirit—and impact—bringing others into God’s kingdom. True fruitfulness is not about striving in our own strength, but about abiding in Christ, allowing His Spirit to work in and through us. Our lives are meant to point to God, to bear fruit that remains for eternity, and to bring others along with us into His kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Choice Precedes Our Response Before we could ever choose God, He chose us. Salvation is initiated by God’s love and grace, not by our own merit or effort. Our role is to respond to His invitation with humility, recognizing our need for Christ and accepting the righteousness He provides. This foundational truth keeps us grounded in gratitude and dependence on God’s initiative. [51:26]
2. Friendship with God Is Marked by Obedience and Intimacy Jesus calls us friends, not just servants. This friendship is not casual or superficial; it is a covenant relationship that brings us into the knowledge of the Father’s heart and purposes. True friendship with God is evidenced by a life of obedience, where our actions flow from love and trust rather than mere duty or religious habit. [63:00]
3. You Are Appointed for a Purpose Unique to This Time God’s appointment is not random; you are intentionally placed in this generation for a specific purpose. Like Jeremiah and Paul, your past or perceived inadequacies do not disqualify you. God equips those He calls, and your life is meant to fulfill good works prepared in advance—works that have eternal significance. [76:10]
4. Lasting Fruit Is the Result of Abiding, Not Striving Fruitfulness in the Christian life is not about self-effort, but about abiding in Christ and surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—grows as we yield our lives to God. Our impact is measured not just by temporary success, but by the eternal difference we make in the lives of others and in our own character. [90:57]
5. True Discipleship Is Evidenced by Doing the Father’s Will Not everyone who claims the name of Christ truly belongs to Him; the evidence is in doing the will of the Father. Our lives must move beyond religious routine to genuine relationship and obedience. As we remain connected to Christ, our lives will naturally bear fruit that glorifies God and draws others to Him, ensuring our legacy is one that lasts into eternity. [92:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[06:27] - Call to Worship and Praise
[09:00] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[15:00] - The Meaning of Being Chosen
[22:00] - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
[28:00] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[34:00] - The Gift of Righteousness
[40:00] - You Are a Friend, Not Just a Servant
[51:26] - Communion Invitation and Prayer
[55:47] - Proclamation and Grandparents Day
[59:57] - Introduction to “Friend of God”
[63:00] - Friendship with God: Obedience and Relationship
[76:10] - Appointed for a Purpose
[90:57] - Bearing Lasting Fruit
[92:11] - True and False Disciples
[93:04] - Abiding in Christ and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:13-16 (ESV) — > Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. 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. 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.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) — > For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Matthew 22:1-14 (ESV) – Parable of the Wedding Banquet — (You may summarize or read the full passage as a group.)

Observation Questions

In John 15:13-16, what does Jesus say is the difference between a servant and a friend?
According to the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22, what was required of those who were invited to the feast?
In Ephesians 2:10, what does Paul say about the purpose for which we were created?
What kind of “fruit” does Jesus say we are appointed to bear, and what does He say about that fruit?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasizes that He chose us before we chose Him? How does this shape our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God?
The sermon described friendship with Jesus as a “covenant relationship marked by obedience and intimacy.” What does it look like in real life to move from being a “servant” to being a “friend” of Jesus?
The parable of the wedding banquet shows that being invited is not enough—there must be a response, and the right “garments.” What do the “wedding garments” represent, and why are they necessary?
The sermon said that our past does not disqualify us from being used by God. How does the example of Paul (Acts 9:15) encourage us when we feel unworthy or inadequate?

Application Questions

The sermon said, “God’s choice precedes our response.” How does knowing that God chose you first affect the way you see yourself and your relationship with Him? Is there an area where you struggle to accept God’s love or calling?
Jesus calls us friends if we do what He commands. In what area of your life is it hardest for you to obey Jesus right now? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week?
The message talked about “putting on the wedding garments” of Christ’s righteousness, not just attending church or doing religious things. Are there ways you’ve relied on religious habits instead of a real relationship with Jesus? What needs to change?
The sermon said, “You are appointed for a purpose unique to this time.” Do you know what good works God has prepared for you? If not, what is one step you can take to discover or walk in your purpose?
Fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ, not striving in our own strength. Is there an area where you’ve been trying to “produce fruit” on your own? How can you surrender that area to God and let the Holy Spirit work?
The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, and more. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you want to grow in this month. What is a specific action you can take to cultivate it in your daily life?
The sermon challenged us not to be “saved just to sit down,” but to bring others with us into God’s kingdom. Who is one person you can pray for or reach out to this week to share God’s love or invite into a relationship with Jesus?

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean to be called a friend of Jesus?

How does obedience demonstrate true friendship with Christ?

In what ways are believers appointed for specific purposes?