Download this sermon (right click and save)
Jesus, My Friend
(Jn15:9-17)
God is love (1Jn4:8).
Love comes from Him, and
For love He lays down His life (Jn15:13).
Faith is knowing His love and receiving it, and
The life of this faith is loving one another with those who love His love (Jn15:17).
Whether they are hometown friends, classmates, brothers-in-arms,
Fellow church members or even drinking buddies,
Everyone loves his friend.
There is no secret between true friends and they keep such to themselves.
They are always near each other and
They do not hold back from making sacrificing for each other.
Furthermore, different from parents, siblings or even spouses,
A friendship is based not on a fate or contract but rather on one's choice.
Yet it is influential to determine the success or failure of one's life.
Thus having good friends is a measure of one's success.
In spite of the fact that Adam, the ancestor of all men,
Considered being one with Eve, whom
He called, "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh (Ge2:23),
After having sinned, however,
He referred to her as, "the woman you put here with me (Ge3:12).
This was due to the fact that
They had been separated by the devil (diabolos).
The history of the Bible thereafter records this tension between brothers:
Abel and Cain, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his 11 brothers, David's sons etc.
The commandments that God gave to Israel not only promised them blessings on earth
But also burdened them greatly for
They were to solve the poverty of their fellow Israelites,
Carrying on one's brother's name etc (Lev25:25-27; Dt15:7-11, 25:5-10).
While the testimony inside the sanctuary reminded them this (Ex25:21),
There also was the atoning sacrifice they gave with the scapegoat over which
Sins were confessed and released alive so that
The sins would not be remembered (Lev16:17-10, 21-22).
Introduced as the Lamb of God by the prophet (Jn1:29),
Jesus appeared and said, "Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days (Jn2:19),
Because through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body,
He would let the heart of the Father God be known to men (Jn15:15) and
Put an end to the relationship of slaves based on fate and duty (Rm8:15) and
Establish a new relationship made by one's choice ” a friendship ”
By becoming an atoning sacrifice, the sacrifice for Azazel.
As He died silently like a sheep, Jesus said, "It is finished (Is53:7; Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1) Revealed the love of the Father who gave the life of His Son;
2) Condemned the devil, the separator (1Jn3:8); and
3) Laid down His life and became a friend to all men, and with His blood buried their sins forever (He10:17-18).
He resurrected and ascended to heaven,
Entering the kingdom of the the beloved Son (Col1:13).
The Holy Spirit came in the name Yeshua and
Lets those who willingly received His name know that He is their true friend.
Thus, they pour out their hearts and confess their flaws to Him.
They are happy for He is always with them (Mt28:20).
They seek His help for whatever they need for they know that He gladly hears them (Jn15:16).
Therefore, the man of the Spirit is he who
Willingly obeys His command (Jn15:10, 14, 17).
He understands his brothers, makes sacrifice to help one other,
Does not reveal others' flaws, and does not expose their secret, and
Goes out to give away this love to those who do not know it
Until he can follow his friend to the kingdom of the beloved Son (Col1:13).
O Lord,
My friend, Yeshua!
This is the success of my life ” to have such a friend!
Let me become a good friend to others
By willingly making sacrifice for them,
Keeping their secrets and taking them to my grave.
Let me become a goat for Azazel. Amen.