I Have Called You Friends (John 15:12-16) What does it mean to call someone a friend? In our society the Ɵtle refers to everything from an American knock-off of a BriƟsh TV show to the reverent address of Quakers to each other. As with many such words we abuse it so much that we now need adjecƟves to get to the meaning of the original word, such as “true friend.” In the Gospel of John 15:15, Jesus says, “I have called you friends.” As we understand that Ɵtle comes with great honor and with great responsibility. Jesus uses his relaƟonship to them to describe the relaƟonship he expects us to have with each other. This is at a crucial point in the Gospel story. It comes aŌer Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet and Judas has gone out to betray him. This is followed by a series of quesƟons and concerns from the disciples that Jesus answers. He also lets them know that they know all they need to know now, he has held nothing back. Israel was leŌ wondering and waiƟng, now the waiƟng is over, they can see what God’s plan was. They are to now believe it and act on it, “bear fruit.” AŌer 15:15 nearly everything else Jesus says in the Gospel is in the company of his “friends.” He addresses the disciples through direct teaching and through a prayer to God (Ch. 17). He has said all he needs to say; now he must act on behalf of his friends and show them the faithful path that leads to glory with God. But what does it mean to be called a friend by Jesus? There was one in the Bible who is called the friend of God. There is a powerful reference in Isaiah 41:8-10 when laid alongside this conversaƟon in John. There is also a reference in James 2:18-28 in the discussion of faith and works. Abraham was a friend of God, because he was faithful and right eous. He was also before the Law. Jesus says that he no longer calls them servants – as Israel – but friend – as Abraham. The command to love each other, then, carries with the expectaƟon that our love for each other will be of the same quality as God’s love for us. His sacrificial love. We sing of Jesus’ mighty love for us and some might even say that we wallow in it from Ɵme to Ɵme. But the calling is not simply to accept this higher love and be thankful, but rather be a friend to God and to each other. It is a call to pracƟce the love that Jesus demonstrated to his disciples. May we have the faith to be called a friend of God. May we have the courage to be known by our love for each other. This kind of love is not oŌen seen on earth, in the world or in the church. May we abide in Christ, love one another, and be hated by the world. Pennyrile CHURCH OF CHRIST February 3, 2013 On the web: www.pennyrilechurch.com Follow us on twitter: @pennyrilechurch Email us at: [email protected]
Transcript
I Have Called You Friends
(John 15:12-16) What does it mean to call someone a friend? In our society the tle refers to everything from an American knock-off of a Bri sh TV show to the reverent address of Quakers to each other. As with many such words we abuse it so much that we now need adjec ves to get to the meaning of the original word, such as “true friend.” In the Gospel of John 15:15, Jesus says, “I have called you friends.” As we understand that tle comes with great honor and with great responsibility. Jesus uses his rela onship to them to describe the rela onship he expects us to have with each other. This is at a crucial point in the Gospel story. It comes a er Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet and Judas has gone out to betray him. This is followed by a series of ques ons and concerns from the disciples that Jesus answers. He also lets them know that they know all they need to know now, he has held nothing back. Israel was le wondering and wai ng, now the wai ng is over, they can see what God’s plan was. They are to now believe it and act on it, “bear fruit.” A er 15:15 nearly everything else Jesus says in the Gospel is in the company of his “friends.” He addresses the disciples through direct teaching and through a prayer to God (Ch. 17). He has said all he needs to say; now he must act on behalf of his friends and show them the faithful path that leads to glory with God. But what does it mean to be called a friend by Jesus? There was one in the Bible who is called the friend of God. There is a powerful reference in Isaiah 41:8-10 when laid alongside this conversa on in John. There is also a reference in James 2:18-28 in the discussion of faith and works. Abraham was a friend of God, because he was faithful and right-‐eous. He was also before the Law. Jesus says that he no longer calls them servants – as Israel – but friend – as Abraham. The command to love each other, then, carries with the expecta on that our love for each other will be of the same quality as God’s love for us. His sacrificial love. We sing of Jesus’ mighty love for us and some might even say that we wallow in it from me to me. But the calling is not simply to accept this higher love and be thankful, but rather be a friend to God and to each other. It is a call to prac ce the love that Jesus demonstrated to his disciples. May we have the faith to be called a friend of God. May we have the courage to be known by our love for each other. This kind of love is not o en seen on earth, in the world or in the church. May we abide in Christ, love one another, and be hated by the world.
Pennyrile CHURCH OF CHRIST February 3, 2013
On the web: www.pennyrilechurch.com Follow us on twitter: @pennyrilechurch Email us at: [email protected]
“For the Record” January 27, 2013
Bible Class: 76 AM Worship: 136 PM Worship: 61
Contribution: $3436.58 Wednesday: 61
Thank you for worshipping with us today! Please introduce yourself by filling out an information sheet located in the maroon
binder at the pew ends. You may place that in the contribution plate as it passes. You are also welcome to include any prayer requests
or any needs that we can help meet.
We’re happy you’re here. Please come back!
Order of Worship For Today
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Worship Leader: Randy Travis
Call to Worship: Eric Seesengood
Reading: John 15:1-11 I Was Made For This (all)
#675 Wherever He Leads I’ll Go (1,2, chorus, 3, 4, chorus) Prayer: Roger Dillingham
Reading: John 15:12-16
#769 May I Call You Father (x2) #800 What A Friend We Have In Jesus (1,2)
Prayer: Bryce Kittinger Lesson: Sean Niestrath
I Want To Love You More Amazing Love (You Are My King) Come To The Table of Mercy
Congregational Reading: John 17:9-11
Lord’s Supper
Quincy Stephenson Roger Matheny
Darin Swaidner James Rust Tim Ashby James Allen Presiding: Quincy Stephenson
He Will Come And Save You Contribution
Invitation /Benediction
From the Inside Out
ALTERNATES: Please meet
in case you are needed to serve as a substitution for the
Lord’s Supper:
Larry Stone Titus Scott
Privileged to Serve
Sunday February 3, 2013 Monitor: Kivil Brown
Nursery: Rian McGuyer
Sunday, February 10, 2013 Worship Leader: Mark Wilkerson Call to Worship: Roger Dillingham
Prayer: Kenneth Ashby Prayer: Byron Pruitt
Scripture Reading: Dan Rust Monitor: Johnny Allen Nursery: Amber Ashby
Serving the Lord’s Table:
Quincy Stephenson Roger Matheny Darin Swaidner James Rust Tim Ashby James Allen Presiding: Roger Matheny
THANK YOU to all who worked the Sweethearts Banquet last night! We couldn’t have done without you!
TODAY is the Super Bowl Party at Bryce & Whitney’s house at 5:30 pm.
The ski trip to Paoli Peaks on February 9 will cost $40.00. Bryce needs to know by Wednesday if you plan to go!
Prepare communion:
February: Wilkerson
March: Cunningham
There will be a Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 23rd beginning at 8:00 am. Invite a friend or bring a neighbor! A sign-up sheet is on the bulle n board.
In an cipa on of our Friends Day on February 24, we have “SAVE THE DATE” cards
available in postcard or business card sizes, on the table in the foyer. Be thinking of those you are in contact with daily and can hand a card to!
Thank you to The Black Diamond, Sean, Rebecca and all others for the hard work that went into the Sweethearts Banquet Friday night! We had 50 church members and 17 guests who experienced a special evening together!
Sunday 6:00 PM worship: the Encouragement Group will meet tonight at NHC;
Randy Travis will lead services at the building. You may begin bringing in yard sale dona ons for the Honduras Yard Sale to be held here
on April 5th and 6th. Please place items in room 101.
Remember in Prayer:
*Clay & Melanie Rhye are the proud parents of Brandy Elizabeth who was born Tuesday. She weighed 6 bs 1 oz and was 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing good and they came home on Thursday from Henderson Hospital. *Bruce and Julianna are the PROUD grandparents!
*Mark Pugh
*Jim Farley
*Ruth Ashby, Tim’s grandmother *Larry & Bonnie Sims, friend of Allen’s, health issues *Dr. Scott Gaines, cancer *Hank Bormann, cancer *Mary Hammers, Sarah Scott's sister, cancer *Aaron Reding, friend of Keith Tapp, late stage ALS *Wallace Maxwell, Mark Wilkerson’s uncle *Denise Baxter, Reva McConnell’s niece *Sue Payne, cancer *Harry Gregory, terminal illness
