JESUS FINAL WORDS TO HIS DISCIPLES Text: John 15: 1-17; Romans 12:1-2 Thesis: Jesus declares we are his friends and commands us to love another.
I. Jesus intentionally developed a friendship with his disciples. A. The top reason Jesus chose the disciples was that he desired their friendship. Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve--designating them apostles that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-15 B. An amazing scriptural fact (truth) is that God desires to establish a friendship with each individual on the face of the earth. 1. It begins with salvation. The Bibles says, Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends with God. (Romans 5:11, NLT) C. Jesus, out of his love for us, made it possible for us to be let in on the inner circle of Gods relationships. You are my friends if you do what I command I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15: 14-15 The Word for friend in this verse does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close, trusted relationship. The same word is used to refer to the best man at a wedding and a kings inner circle of intimate, trusted friends. (PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE, page 86) II. The Disciples intentionally developed a relationship with Jesus. A. The disciples traveled with Jesus for three years. 1. They were family to Jesus. B. come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8 NIV) 1. Become best friends with God through constant conversation. a. Develop a lifestyle of worship. 2. Become best friends with God through the meditation of his Word. | 