Jesus Calls Us Friends
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 11 2024 | John 15:14-15
KEY VERSE:
You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Jesus offers An incredible declaration here in John 15:14-15 to His disciples: He calls them friends. This profound shift from being mere servants to becoming friends of Jesus highlights the depth of His relationship with us. While a servant follows orders without understanding the full picture, a friend is invited into an intimate knowledge of the master's heart and plans. Jesus, in calling us friends, reveals the closeness He desires with each of us. He shares with us the wisdom and truth He received from the Father, inviting us into a relationship of trust, love, and mutual respect.
Jesus' friendship comes with a call to obedience. He says, "You are my friends if you do what I command." This isn’t a condition we must meet to earn His friendship, but rather a reflection of what true friendship with Jesus looks like. When we obey His commands, we align our lives with His will, demonstrating our love and commitment to Him. True friendship with Jesus involves a willingness to follow Him, to live according to His teachings, and to embrace the life He offers. In this obedience, we find ourselves walking closely with Him, understanding His heart, and participating in His mission.
Being called a friend of Jesus is both a privilege and a responsibility. It’s a privilege because we are invited into a relationship that offers deep intimacy with the Son of God. It’s a responsibility because friendship with Jesus means living in a way that reflects His love, truth, and purpose. As His friends, we are entrusted with His teachings and called to share them with the world. This friendship is not just about what we receive, but also about how we respond to His love by loving others.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Cherish this incredible gift of friendship with Jesus. Commit yourselves to live in obedience to His commands, and share in the joy and purpose that come from being His friends.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me, friend. Thank you for the intimate relationship you desire to have with me. Please help me by your Spirit to cultivate a consistent daily walk with you. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: MY FRIENDS The phrase "my friends" is translated from the Greek word "φίλοι" (philoi), which is the plural form of "φίλος" (philos). This term denotes a close, personal relationship characterized by affection, trust, and mutual respect. In ancient Greek culture, "philos" often referred to a loyal companion or someone with whom one shares a deep bond. The term "friends" in this verse is significant for several reasons
Relational Intimacy: Jesus emphasizes a close, personal relationship with His disciples, marked by mutual affection rather than a distant master-servant dynamic.
Reciprocity and Obedience: This friendship is a two-way relationship, initiated by Jesus and sustained by the disciples' loving obedience to His commands.
Revelation and Trust: Jesus calls His disciples friends because He shares divine knowledge with them, signifying trust and transparency
Reflections: Friendship with Jesus is marked by His sacrificial love for us and our loving obedience to His commands. How can you deepen your friendship with Jesus by embracing His commands, and in what ways can this intimate relationship shape your daily walk and service to others?
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