Love and Friendship (John 15:11-17) July 10, 2005
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and nthat your joy may be full.
"This is My pcommandment, 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. 1You 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." John 15:11-17
Reinvent the world: aim: involve every person in the world in the dialectic process -- solidarity
Purpose Biblical Purpose-Driven Worship spirit fun, exciting, evoke strong feelings Fellowship fun, enter into the ways of the world Service in Christ as world manages outreach bringing the gospel -- truth bringing a new view of postmodern Christianity Greek writing: abstract words, philosophy, imagination
Hebrew language: never abstract, always based on reality. I.e. Love was something you did, not speculated about
Jesus' words in John 15:12: Written in Aramaic but based on Hebrew mind-set or world view.
Psalm 23 - what the Shepherd did for the sheep. He knows our needs.
Romans 1:20. God's mighty creation: law of nature (of order -- DNA, etc.) illustrates unbending spiritual order -- the law of the Spirit. Absolute obedience is required in His Kingdom. Grace and forgiveness is for those who again follow that order -- not by the letter of the law, but on the basis of faith. Those who trust Him and are focused on His goals, which train us to focus on Him and His ways. His sacrifice freed us from condemnation of the law -- free to follow His Spirit, but not free to roam our own ways.
"...that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
This is not a carte-blanche promise. Ask in His name means in His will -- with hearts that desire to do the will of the Father.
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When we sin, it is a shame to Christ -- the opposite of glorifying Him. Are we ashamed? Or do we presume on His grace and love?
Or doesn't it matter? After all, He understands my frailties better than I do.
It does matter. Psycholog8cal reasoning leaves out the shame, repentance and power of the cross to cleanse.
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Lazarus died and Jesus wept. Why? Over the hurts and brokenness of the people. Over their lack of faith. Over the stain of death on the creation.
In Matt 23, we see the disciple's fear and grief at His betrayal. Peter said, "all may fall away, but I will never fall away.
It's easy to say, "I will follow Jesus," but then we come to the dark places and we won't follow. Jesus understands you don't know your own hearts, He is patient. And He has provided the solution: When you turn to Christ in humility, looking at Him as the OT people looked on the serpent on the stake -- believe what He has said.
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John 15:13. Lay down life for friend. Love is concrete, not abstract. Abide in that love. We must obey His commandments or we remove ourselves from the sphere of His love.
The prodigal son left the Father to seek blessings in the world. In the distant land he felt separated. To live under the blessing of His love, we must stand close and obey the Father.
I you don't obey, you can't abide in His love.
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Love one another - verse 12
Communion - receive the shed blood so since can be washed away. come with need, shed b blood
Some say all was restored back in 70. This negates His ongoing work.
I need Thee every hour.