Sermon Series "Hope For a Hurting People"

Needing a Friend?

John 15:12-17

Introduction-

Loneliness plagues us all. To our loneliness Nazareth

breaks in saying "No longer do I call you servant... but I have

called you friends." Just what we need! It's a friendship with

God himself.

I. The Requirements for Friendship (VS.13) "Greater love has no

one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

A. A willingness to spend Oneself Unselfishly

1. Must try to find where your friends are.

2.Lay down your life for them, if needed.

B. A Trusting Submissiveness to Friends (vs.14)"You are my

friends if you do what I command."

1. You are God's friend if you do what he commands.

C. A Total Opening of Ourselves to The Friend (vs.14)

1. Share Your Wisdom and Knowledge

2. Love them and help them.

II. The Result of Friendship (vs.16)"You did not choose me, but

I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that

will last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in

his name."

A. Jesus Searches and Calls Us By Name (vs.16)

1. How will you respond?

2.God loves and cares for you.

B. Fruit That Will Abide (vs. 16{b})

1. The Chosen People; God's children

Conclusion: Loving one another is one of the finest

fruit produced by those with Jesus. How's your crop doing this

year?