HE JUST WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND
John 15:9-16
Intro: In the context of our reading we find Jesus in his last teachings just before his death. Jesus speaking to his disciples is trying to relay the message to them that he is the “True Vine” and they are the branches. He is instructing them to abide in Him and to love one another. Jesus knew that he would be leaving them and there could possibly be tension amongst the disciples so He has given them the commandment in verse 12 to love one another. But the verse that stands out in my mind is verses 14 and 15. Jesus in both verses calls these men His “friends”. Nowhere in the Scriptures did Jesus ever refer to these men as His “friends”. You may say well they had to be friends or Jesus would not have called them but pay attention to verse 15. These men was called to be followers but Jesus had a close personal relationship with them. And even in his preparation for death he told them his friends knowing what awaited him. And as he looks over this congregation today He wants to call you His friend. I want to preach this morning on the message “HE JUST WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND”.
I. WHEN I HAVE FORSAKEN HIM HE STILL WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND
A. (Matthew 26) Peter’s denial of Jesus. The scripture says when Peter remembered the words of the Lord he went and wept bitterly
B. (Luke 22:61) Says when Peter denied the Lord the third time the Lord turned and looked at him and Peter went and wept bitterly
C. All the disciples had forsaken Jesus at Calvary but we find in Mark 16 when Mary Magdalene and Martha went to the tomb saw a young man sitting in the tomb in white and he told them (Mark16: 7) But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
II. WHEN EVERYONE HAD FORGOTTEN ME HE STILL WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND
A. (Job 19:14) My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
B. (Job 19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
C. (Job 19:26) And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
III. WHEN I HAVE FAILED HIM HE STILL WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND
A. (Judges 16:28) And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
B. (Matthew 28:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen
IV. WHEN I WASN’T FIT TO SERVE HIM HE STILL WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND
A. (Jeremiah 18:4) And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
B. He has taken all of us that wasn’t even fit to be used in the Master’s service and turned us into vessels of honour
V. WHEN I WASN’T EVEN FOLLOWING HIM HE WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND
A. (Romans 5:8) In that God commendeth His love toward us that while we were yet sinner Christ died for us
B. (1 John 4:19) We love him, because he first loved us
