Jesus – The Measure of True Friendship - Part 1
Series: Jesus – The Measure of True FriendshipPastor Ed Riddick - Sunday, December 4th, 2005
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Introduction:
Defining friendship is like trying to define beauty: It’s often in the ey of the beholder. Each person has a personal standard which he may or may not be able to articulate.
Jesus is the measure of true friendship.
He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.
He is the one who wants an intimate friendship with us.
He is the one who knows our heart. He is the one who
always has time for us.
He is the one who will never let us down.
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Friendship |
Community |
| John 15:15 “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.” ESVJohn 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” ESV
Christians are to be Counter-cultural! Christ cuts across every culture. |
Acts 2:42-47 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” ESV |
1. Friendship Takes Time
John 1:37-39 “The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. “Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” “He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.” ESV
“10th hour” = 4 PM. The Hebrew Day Planner
Sunset to sunset – night and day divided into 2, 12 hour periods.
On God’s time there are to be three activities in each day:
6 AM – 6 PM Productivity
6 – 10 PM Relationships
10 PM – 6 AM Sleep!
Spent the day with him..
Mark 3:14 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him”
Luke 5:27-29
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus made time for people. He always had time for people.
How about us? Do you plan time in your schedule to build and maintain relationships? Are you available spontaneously for people?
2. Friendship Takes Integrity
John 1:44-49
“An Israelite in whom there is nothing false”
First, honesty is the basis of all true friendship.
It is the basis of trust. It is the basis of communication. Friendship is about relationships born and sustained in the heart. And that requires integrity.
Would it be unsettling to you for someone to actually be able to read your thoughts?
Friendship is about someone or a few who know the real you!
Success Principles
1. Children first
2. Be sensitive to others
3. Loyalty is a 2-way street
4. Integrity is not negotiable
5. Disagreement is not disrespect
6. Maintain your sense of humor
7. Keep things in perspective
8. If you raise expectations that can’t be met you do damage
Could that be said about you?
Does what you say with your lips match what you say in your heart?
Are you single-faced or two-faced?
Is what you say to one person the same as you say to another person?
Do you keep your word? And if you blow it do you confess it?
There are many things that dull an awareness of the soul. Not only out of touch with God but out of touch with himself.
Busyness
3. Friendship With Christ Transforms
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”
Jesus jarred Nathaniel’s skepticism. He was shocked that Jesus could reveal himself to him.
His knowledge of everything is perfect and complete.
His vision of what is reality is perfect and complete.
His explanation of life is perfect and complete.
His glimpses into what matters and what doesn’t matter
Flow out of his heavenly home and his eternal deity.
The challenge of Jesus’ earthly ministry was to enable us to see the message so that the picture could be understood.
God’s presence transforms any location into the house of God.
He opened up for them the truth that any earthly setting at which He is present becomes the gateway to heaven.
The Lamb of God is passing by
Weak and wounded sinner Lost and left to die
O raise your head for Love is passin’ by
Come to Jesus Come to Jesus Come to Jesus and live
Now your burden’s lifted And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain
So sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus Sing to Jesus and live
Like a newborn baby Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk sometimes we fall
So fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus Fall on Jesus and live
Sometimes the way is lonely And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain
Then cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus Cry to Jesus and live
O and when the love spills over And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside
Then dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus and live
And with your final heartbeat Kiss the world good-bye
Then go in peace and laugh on glory’s side
And fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live
Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus and live
Message #2: The One Essential Friendship Can’t Do Without
Ed Riddick, December 11, 2005
Introduction: Jesus is the measure of true friendship…
One simple fact: Everyone is looking for love.
John 13:1 “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” ESV
John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” ESV
John 15:12-13 ““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” ESV
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” ESV
Love is what friendship can’t do without…
But, what does the love Jesus is talking about in John 13:34-35 look like?
The one essential friendship can’t do without is love.
If we do not love each other we have nothing to say to the world.
But what does that love look like?
Defining the Love of God
God’s love is his holy disposition toward all that he has created that compels him to express unconditional affection and selective correction to provide the highest quality of existence, both now and forever, for those He loves.
I. How Does God Love Us?
Christ is holy and his love is holy – he doesn’t love you like anyone else does!
Everyone else’s love is imperfect. His love is better. He loves you personally, specifically and individually.
He knows your name. – others may not even care.
He knows your heart. – few will even attempt to
He knows what you think and how you feel.
He knows your strengths and weakness.
He knows your sins – completely.
And he chooses to passionately love you and me deeply from the heart.
1. God’s thoughts, intentions, desires and plans are always for your good and never for your harm. Jeremiah 29:11
You can trust Him! No matter what is happening in your life you can trust Him.
2. God really wants to be your friend.
His love for us is not out of duty. It is always out of genuine desire for us to know Him.
He always made time for people He was always open and approachable. He never closed them out.
He was honest and straightforward. And yet he was patient.
Luke 7:36-39; Luke 19:2-6
He attended weddings. He went to parties.
He accepted invitations to come for dinner.
He invited himself to come to dinner.
Christ had the ability to give centrality – to focus on each individual personally.
John 13:23 “One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus,” ESV
John 20:2
Jesus was never selective about to whom he gave love!!
He was always consistent!! But he had that unique quality to make each person feel as if they were the only beloved one in the world.
“If you knew what kind of woman…”
3. God is emotionally involved with you.
He is emotionally involved with you in your pains, joys, hopes and dreams and He has chosen to allow your happiness to affect his own.
John 11:33-36; Luke 7:11-17; 5:12-13; 5:20; 8:40-48
The self-existing God who has life in himself does not need anyone. But he has chosen to be emotionally identified with you in your ups and downs and your dreams and hopes.
Your happiness or unhappiness actually affects Him.
We can grieve Him or bring joy to Him.
Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” ESV
God looks to meet our heart’s deepest need. Why resist God’s love?
4. God takes pleasure in you just for who you are apart from what you do and what you achieve. Romans 5:8
He does not approach us for what we can do for him or for what he can get out of the relationship!
He does not manipulative us
He does not have hidden motives.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ESV
He delights in you. He loves to gaze into your eyes. He so totally enjoys having a conversation with you. Having your company is so totally exciting to Him. Even when we are sleeping His thoughts toward us continue in a flood.
All of my sorrow you exchange for a joy I’ve never fades
You are my everything
Everything you are is everything to me.
You satisfy me. You satisfy me.
Everything that I am is all because of you.
You satisfy!
Psalm 30:10-12
Aren’t you amazed by Him how He loves you!?
Jared Anderson, 2004 Beauty of the Lord
Jesus you love has come one step closer
I will trust that you will never let me go.
Jesus your love has won me over
All my trust has found no other.
I will declare the beauty of the Lord
Nothing compares to the beauty of the Lord
Jesus your love takes my breath away.
Now I’m living everyday for the beauty of the Lord.
5. God is actively orchestrating people, circumstances and events to express his affection and correction for your highest good. Romans 8:28
II. How Are We to Love One Another
“By This Everyone Know You Are My Disciples”
If we do not work hard at loving each other we have nothing to say to the watching world.
1. First, we must humbly accept forgiveness by receiving God’s inexpressible gift – Jesus Christ John 1:12; Rev 3:20
2. Make it your goal to live a life of loving others
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” ESV
Make a conscious choice…I want to love like Christ!
3. Graciously extend forgiveness to those who’ve wronged and hurt you!
Ephesians 4:32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” ESV
At times it is so hard to let go of hurts.
So we must ask Him for help, “Lord, help me…”
4. Make a conscious decision to stop serving yourself to serve others. It isn’t about you! All things don’t revolve around you!
Galatians 5:13-14 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”” ESV
Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” ESV
5. Over and again give friendship in Christ a chance.
Make time for friendship and growing relationships!
Learn to look people in their eyes.
Listen to get to know their joys, their hurts and their hearts!
When there is difficulty in a relationship force yourself to be open to tearing down the walls.
6. Make it your goal to learn to live under the control of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 “the fruit of the Spirit is love…since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit”