Friends!

May 18th, 2009 by Pastor Bob

Notes from the sermon preached at MCOG on May 17, 2009, drawn from John 15:17. Following the notes from that sermon is a link to some thoughts on the same passage recorded earlier in the same week. This is Pastor Bob’s first attempt at making a YouTube video for upload.

Text:

15:9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15:15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
15:17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Notes for John 15:9-17

Friends

As the Father Has Loved Me: See Hebrews 1:3

Abide! Continue! Stay with it!

How has the Father loved Jesus?
—From the beginning
—Unconditionally, unchanging
—With a Purpose in Mind

The purpose: Joy!

What was that commandment again?

Love lays it down

Who did He lay down His life for?
His enemies….. who become His friends! (Romans 5)

What kind of Friend gives this kind of Command?

The Secret to Answered Prayer

I am giving you these commands
so that you may love each other.