## Never Forget: Jesus is Our Friend

## John 15:13

This is Memorial Day weekend. What does that mean to most of America? It is for many a time of recreation. The 92nd Indy 500 is scheduled to be run today, so many folks will flock to the speedway for this famous race. For many school children and teachers it marks the first weekend of Summer vacation. It means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

For me, I recall it being referred to as 'Decoration Day'. Historically it has been the day set aside to remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens. Never forget those who have given their lives in service to our country.

Our text this morning is taken from John 15. It is a statement that Jesus made to His disciples just a short time before it would be realized on the cross at Calvary. Read: John 15:12-15

(John 15:13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Some time ago a newspaper had a contest and gave out a reward for the best definition of what is a friend? "A Friend Is One That Comes When Everyone Else Goes."

This morning, we need to remember that Jesus is our friend, but we also want to consider this…are we a friend to Him? What is involved with being a friend to Jesus? Let give you just a few thoughts today.

I. Doesn't Quit: He Remains

(John 15:11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

A. Mutual Relationship.

1. Jesus promised that His joy would remain with us, and that our joy would be full.

2. In verse four He spoke about this important concept.

3. Stay with Jesus. Don't quit, don't give up, and don't lose hope.

4. Jesus uses the illustration of a vine with a branch growing from it.

5. I spend a lot of time collecting dead branches and piling them on my burn pile.

6. Why? Because they are useless once they fall from the tree.

B. Share the Work.

1. Have you and a friend ever accomplished some work together?

2. The size of the project isn't important, but the sense of accomplishment is greater and the load is lighter when we share the work.

3. God's plan for us is that we share the load of His work.

4. Whether it be with Scott Brown in Mexico, or Fred Adams with the Sword Deaf Bible College.

5. We rejoice together because we remain faithful as we work together.

6. TEAM = Together Everyone Accomplishes More.

7. This is what the Lord is talking about in v4, we get to work together, but we can't do it unless we stay connected.

C. His Word is How we Stay Connected.

(John 15:5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

1. Paul gives us the flip side of this thought in Philippians 4:13.

(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

2. Jesus tells us that we can accomplish more when we stay connected with Him.

3. And we stay connected through His Word.

(John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

II. Makes A Difference

(John 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Illus: Little boy and fixing a friend's bike.

A. Bearing fruit is a gift from God.

1. He is the One who chose us…it is His purpose that we should bear fruit.

2. We do not get to decide whether we should be fruit bearers or not, that is why He chose us!

(John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

3. Occasionally I will meet a believer who has the idea that fruit bearing is not for them.

4. A man once got angry with me because I encouraged him to be a witness to others…he said that I was expecting him to do MY job!

5. If we are to be His disciples…then we are to bear fruit for Him.

B. Bearing fruit involves Prayer.

1. Yes this is about remaining in Him,

2. Yes it is a result of obedience,

3. But the fruit is in the promise…

4. "Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you (verse 7)."

C. Bearing fruit is the key to discipleship.

1. When we bear fruit we show ourselves to be Disciples.

2. Jesus said, 'Herein is my Father glorified'.

3. The reality of it is that if we aren't bearing fruit, we have not yet become disciples!

D. Bearing Fruit brings Joy.

1. Fruit is having Jesus Joy on the inside.

2. This is not joy of our own, but the very Joy of God within us.

3. Not that we could ever top this, but a side effect of the Joy of God within us is our own joy being made complete.

4. Maybe a lot of Christians aren't looking happy because they are not bearing fruit and thus have no Joy!

III. Shows Real Love (Sacrifice)!

(John 15:13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

A. Real Love is Agape!

1. I never understood real love until I realized what Jesus did for me

2. The disciples had heard Jesus teach that he must die, but they had not yet seen it, experienced it, or even believed it. 3. Jesus sets the example of real love this is the love that takes us to the cross!

B. Real Love is obedience!

(John 15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1. We don't keep His commandments in order for Him to love us.

2. But rather, we keep His commandments because He loves and we love Him.

C. Real Love is shared!

(John 15:12) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

(John 15:17) These things I command you, that ye love one another.

1. Just as Jesus shared his great love for us by dying on the cross…

2. We are to show our love for Him by dying to self and loving others!

3. What people need is a friend that will love them…and show them what real love is all about!

This Memorial Day weekend let's not forget those who gave their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms that we cherish. But let's also not forget that Jesus is our Friend. He died that we might have eternal life. Do you know Him today?

Christian, are we a friend to Him? Are we living our lives in such a way that others might see Christ in us?

Don't Quit… Make a difference… Show His Love…