Embracing Our Identity as Friends of God
Summary
In my sermon, I began by emphasizing the importance of understanding our identity as friends of God, contrasting it with the obedience expected of slaves who acted without understanding why. I highlighted that Jesus treats us differently by sharing His plans and will with us through His Word, making us privy to His intimate thoughts as a friend would. This relationship, however, is not one of equals; it is an unequal friendship because Jesus remains our master and sovereign, despite calling us friends.
I then delved into the concept of love as defined by Jesus, a love that is self-sacrificing and goes beyond mere words. I shared the example of Lottie Moon, a missionary who demonstrated self-sacrificing love, and I encouraged the congregation to actively listen, help, and encourage others, embodying the love that Jesus has for us. I stressed that our spiritual fruit should be evident in our godly behavior, attitudes, and discipleship.
I reminded the congregation that Christianity is not a spectator sport and that we are called to actively participate in our faith. We are God's workmanship, created for good works, and we must live out the purpose He has prepared for us. I reiterated the commandment to love one another, acknowledging that while it is not always easy, it is our calling.
I spoke about the urgency of sharing the Gospel, especially considering the shortness of time and the imminent return of Christ. I introduced a practical way for the congregation to share God's love through random acts of kindness using R.A.T. cards, which include a gospel presentation.
I shared the joy of being chosen by Jesus, reflecting on the concept of adoption into God's family, and the assurance of our salvation. I emphasized that Jesus chose us before the foundation of the world and appointed us to bear lasting fruit.
Finally, I concluded with a call to action, inviting those who had not yet decided to follow Jesus to make that decision, and for the rest to remember their calling to obedience, to bear fruit, and to love one another well.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our relationship with Jesus is one of intimate friendship, where He shares His divine plans with us through His Word. This friendship, however, does not negate His sovereignty over us. We are privileged to be called friends of the King, and this should inspire us to humble ourselves and be willing to befriend those who are different from us, just as Jesus did. [01:07:48]
2. The love that Jesus commands us to have for one another is self-sacrificing and active. It involves laying down our preferences, desires, and even our needs for the good of others. This love is demonstrated through practical service, listening, and generosity, which are all ways we can lay down our lives for our friends. [54:54]
3. As followers of Christ, we are not to be passive but are called to engage actively in our faith. We are God's masterpiece, created with a purpose to perform good works and to live out the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. [01:18:27]
4. The urgency of evangelism cannot be overstated, as time is drawing short for Christ's return. We must seize every opportunity to share the Gospel, using creative and practical methods like R.A.T. cards to perform random acts of kindness that open doors for sharing the message of Jesus' love. [56:20]
5. The doctrine of adoption into God's family is a profound truth that assures us of our eternal security in Christ. Being chosen by Jesus is a cause for immense joy and gratitude, and it comes with the responsibility to bear lasting fruit in our lives, fulfilling the purposes for which we were appointed. [01:16:07]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:11-17 (NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I 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 remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say is the greatest form of love?
- Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." ([43:56])
2. How does Jesus differentiate between servants and friends in this passage?
- Jesus states that servants do not know what their master is doing, but He has called us friends because He has made known to us everything He heard from the Father. ([44:33])
3. What commandment does Jesus repeat in this passage?
- Jesus repeats the commandment to "love one another as I have loved you." ([43:56])
4. What does Jesus say about the relationship between being chosen and bearing fruit?
- Jesus says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain." ([44:33])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of loving one another in this passage?
- Jesus emphasizes this because love is the defining characteristic of His followers and it reflects His own self-sacrificing love for us. ([47:08])
2. What does it mean to be a friend of Jesus according to this passage?
- Being a friend of Jesus means having an intimate relationship where He shares His divine plans with us, and it requires our obedience to His commands. ([44:33])
3. How does the concept of being chosen by Jesus before the foundation of the world impact our understanding of our relationship with Him?
- It highlights the profound nature of our relationship with Jesus, showing that it is based on His sovereign choice and purpose for us to bear lasting fruit. ([01:10:43])
4. What practical ways did the pastor suggest for showing self-sacrificing love to others?
- The pastor suggested listening to people, helping and encouraging them, and performing random acts of kindness using R.A.T. cards. ([54:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. How can you show self-sacrificing love to someone this week?
- Think of a specific person and a practical way you can lay down your preferences or needs for their benefit. ([54:54])
2. Jesus calls us friends and shares His plans with us. How can you deepen your friendship with Jesus this week?
- Consider setting aside dedicated time for reading His Word and prayer to understand His will better. ([44:33])
3. The pastor mentioned the urgency of sharing the Gospel. What is one specific way you can share God's love with someone this week?
- Identify a person and plan a random act of kindness or a conversation where you can share the message of Jesus' love. ([56:20])
4. Jesus chose us to bear lasting fruit. What spiritual fruit do you feel called to cultivate more in your life, and how will you do it?
- Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) and think of a specific action to cultivate it in your daily interactions. ([01:18:27])
5. The pastor spoke about the joy of being adopted into God's family. How does this truth affect your sense of identity and purpose?
- Reflect on how being chosen and adopted by God gives you security and a mission to fulfill His purposes. ([01:16:07])
6. Consider the pastor's call to action. Have you decided to follow Jesus fully? If not, what is holding you back?
- Reflect on any hesitations or barriers you have and think about steps you can take to surrender fully to Jesus. ([01:21:35])
7. How can you actively participate in your faith and not be a spectator?
- Identify one area in your church or community where you can serve and make a commitment to get involved. ([01:17:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Intimate Friendship with Sovereignty
Understanding our unique relationship with Jesus as both friends and followers is essential. This relationship is marked by an intimate knowledge of God's will, as He reveals His divine plans to us through His Word. Yet, this friendship does not make us equals with Christ; He remains our sovereign Lord. This dynamic calls us to a deeper humility and a willingness to extend friendship to those who may seem different from us, reflecting Jesus' own inclusive love. It is a privilege to be considered a friend of the King, and this should inspire a life of service and humility. [01:07:48]
"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." - John 15:13-15 ESV
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of friendship with Jesus while maintaining a posture of reverence for His sovereignty in your life?
Day 2: Love in Action
The love that Jesus exemplifies and commands us to emulate is one of self-sacrifice and active engagement. It is not enough to speak of love; it must be demonstrated through tangible actions such as serving others, listening intently, and being generous with our resources. This kind of love requires us to lay aside our own desires and needs for the benefit of others, mirroring the love Jesus has for us. It is through these practical expressions of love that we truly lay down our lives for our friends, as Jesus did. [54:54]
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" - 1 John 3:16-17 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate self-sacrificing love to someone in your community this week?
Day 3: Engaged Faithfulness
Christianity calls for active participation, not passive observation. Believers are God's workmanship, created for the purpose of performing good works and living out the fruit of the Spirit. This means engaging in acts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes should be evident in our daily lives, signaling our commitment to Christ and our role as His ambassadors. The call to active faith is a reminder that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, making a tangible difference in the lives of others. [01:18:27]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Reflection: What good work has God prepared for you to do today, and how can you take a step towards fulfilling it?
Day 4: Urgency in Evangelism
The urgency of sharing the Gospel is paramount, especially in light of the shortness of time and the imminent return of Christ. Believers must seize every opportunity to spread the message of Jesus' love, using creative and practical methods to reach out to others. The use of R.A.T. cards for random acts of kindness is one such method that can open doors for evangelism. This approach underscores the importance of being proactive in our witness, always ready to share the hope that we have in Christ. [56:20]
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
Reflection: What is one creative way you can share the Gospel with someone who may not know Christ this week?
Day 5: Chosen to Bear Fruit
The doctrine of adoption into God's family brings with it the joy of being chosen by Jesus and the assurance of our salvation. This profound truth comes with the responsibility to bear lasting fruit in our lives, fulfilling the purposes for which we were appointed. As chosen ones, we are to live in a manner worthy of our calling, demonstrating the transformative power of God's love in our actions and relationships. This chosen status is not for our benefit alone but is intended to impact the world around us through our godly living. [01:16:07]
"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally work to bear fruit in your life that will last and reflect your status as a chosen child of God?
Quotes
"Friends, I like what the old preacher said. If that don't get your fire burning, that's because your wood's wet. Listen, we are friends of God. Jesus says, you are my friend. Slaves obeyed without understanding. They weren't given a reason. It was like when my daddy said, right, I want you to go take the trash out, Dad. Why? Don't ask me why. Just do it, boy. You know what I'm talking about. You lived through those years, I'm sure, right? Don't ask why. Just do it. That's what servants do." [01:02:53]
"Jesus said, no, that's not how I treat you. I give you the reason. How do we know that he still does that? We have his word. We have his holy word right here. We have access to this. Jesus entrusts his plan. He sends in his will to us as his friends through his word." [01:03:38]
"But this isn't like a friendship between people, right? If I went to Vicki, and I said, listen, Vicki, we're friends. And you are my friend if you do everything that I tell you to do. Right? Everybody around is saying, no, that's not how that works, Pastor John. I don't think you understand friendship very well. This is what Jesus says. And you know why this is what Jesus says? Because this is an unequal friendship." [01:05:03]
"We have problems just like anybody else. It's not always easy to love. And we don't always love. We don't always do it very well. But it doesn't change our calling to love one another. Jesus made it very clear. Love one another. We are doubly called in this passage alone to love others sacrificially. We are called to lovingly obey our Lord's commands. And we are called to bear spiritual fruit." [01:20:40]
"Even when I don't understand. Even when I do wrong things. He holds on to me. Praise the Lord that he holds on to me. Praise the Lord that he holds on to me. That we have been adopted into God's family. That he picked us. It was an irrevocable condition that Paul understood. But God doesn't just save without also appointing us to bear lasting spirit." [01:16:52]
"Christianity is not a spectator sport. You just can't ride the bench if you want to truly follow Jesus. You've got to get in the game. You've got to legitimately follow him. We were created for good works. Ephesians chapter 2 and verse number 10 says this. For we are his workmanship. His workmanship. Turn to your neighbor and say, you're a masterpiece." [01:18:27]
"Jesus chose them. He flipped the script of them. But in salvation, Jesus makes the first choice. He sovereignly elects those whom he will invite to be his disciples. And then we make the next choice to accept or reject that offer. Now, some people are going to say, Pastor John, I don't really get that. Listen, I wrestle with this as much as the next guy." [01:12:25]
"But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Think about this for just a moment. What a Savior. To die, not just for good people, not for those who are righteous, but for rebels. To die for the ungodly. To die for sinners. That's what we are. Apart from Christ, we are rebels." [01:06:15]
"Jesus condescended to become one of us. Right? He condescended. Now, we use that negatively. We say, don't condescend me. Don't treat me like that. That's not what I mean. What I mean is that we would come down to someone else's level. That we would humble ourselves in order to relate to them in a way that allows us to be able to share the gospel with them." [01:07:48]
"Jesus says, when you've seen me, you've seen the Father. You've seen your Creator. And I no longer just call you servants. I call you my friend. Can we just take a moment and just glory in the fact that Jesus says you and I are his friends? I cannot even begin to imagine, to wrap my head around what it is. Listen, friends. The God who dotted the skies, the stars in the sky, who hung all of the planets in their orbits around stars, who created the laws of gravity and the physics that govern the universe around us." [01:02:15]
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