João 15
Samuel Johnson · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 15
Johnson has an interesting thought on Jesus self-designation as the TRUE Vine - Jesus knew His disciples would soon be kicked out of the temple worship, barred from the synagogue, ostracized from the traditions of Judaism. I think Jesus is saying, “I am the True Vine. Don't be deceived. It is not Judaism. It is not religion. It's ME!” Jesus Himself is the vine. And once we are IN Him, the life we have is really His life flowing through us. We never stop receiving our life from Him. (Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20) John Calvin on the Vine - Let us here remember the rule that ought to be observed in all parables, that we should not minutely examine every property of “the vine,” but only take a general view of the object which Christ uses to apply his teaching. There are three principal parts of this illustration of the vine: first, that we have no power of doing good except that which comes from Christ; second, that we, having been rooted in him, are dressed and pruned by the Father; third, that Christ removes the unfruitful branches in us so they may be thrown into the fire and burned. Scarcely any are ashamed to acknowledge that every good thing that they possess comes from God, but after making this acknowledgment, they imagine that universal grace has been given to them as if it were implanted in them by nature. But Christ principally dwells on this, that the vital sap—all life and strength—proceeds from him alone. It follows that the nature of man is unfruitful and destitute of everything good; no man has the nature of the true vine till Christ is implanted in him. This is given to the elect alone by special grace. The Father is the author of all blessings, who plants us with his hand, but the commencement of life is in Christ, in whom we take root. When he calls himself “the true vine,” Christ means he is truly the vine. Therefore men toil to no purpose in seeking strength anywhere else, for useful fruit will proceed from nowhere but “the branches” that are rooted in Christ. (John 15) And My Father (pater) is the vinedresser (georgos - farmer, "one who tills the soil")(as in Mk 12:1; Jas 5:7; 2Ti 2:6) - We get the name "George" from georgos so have a modern somewhat slang paraphrase "My Father is George." That sounds Note that Jesus is calling God His Father again, and in so doing is repeating the emphasis on His deity as the Son of God. The Father as the vinedresser depicts Him as the Owner of the Vineyard, the One Who is complete control of the whole process of bearing fruit and in carrying out His word, the Father takes away and prunes (Jn 15:2) the branches, taking these actions based upon whether the branch has no fruit (takes away) or fruit (prunes). We are the branches (John 15:2-5). Our job is simple. If we are faithful, God will make us fruitful. Brian Bill on the Father as the vinedresser - The gardener’s primary task is to grow grapes. In order for that to happen, the ground must be cultivated and fertilized, pests must be controlled, weeds must be pulled, the roots must receive water, the vines must be cared for, the grapes must be cleaned, and pruning must take place. A vine needs a gardener in order to produce grapes. A vineyard is planted for a different purpose than a flower garden. We plant flowers because they’re pretty. A vineyard is planted in order to get grapes. The goal is not flowers, but fruit..... I see four levels of fruit bearing in our passage that are demonstrated with these four baskets. Basket 1 (John 15:2a) “does not bear fruit” NO FRUIT (Muted Fruit) Basket 2 (John 15:2b) “does bear fruit” MEAGER FRUIT (Minimal Fruit) Basket 3 (John 15:2c) “bear more fruit” MORE FRUIT Basket 4 (John 15:5) “bears much fruit” MUCH FRUIT One author believes that 50% of all Christians bear little fruit and only about 5% bear a lot of fruit. Do you think that’s true? Here’s the principle. God the Gardener loves us so much, and is so committed to displaying His glory, that He actively cultivates our lives so that we will move from no fruit, to meager fruit, to more fruit, to much fruit. Friend, which basket represents your life right now? If today were harvest day, how many grapes would be in your basket? Here’s the good news. More is always possible because you and I were created for this very purpose. (Brian Bill) My Father (pater) is a KEY WORD in John 15 - 10x/9v - John 15:1 John 15:8 John 15:9 John 15:10 John 15:15 John 15:16 John 15:23 John 15:24 John 15:26 (ABIDE is 12x/8v and FRUIT is 8x/5v) Gilbrant on vinedresser - the farmer who owns the land and cares for the vineyard. The "husbandman" works the earth as a farmer tills his land to produce crops. The Father owns the land and tends the vineyard. He is vitally interested and cares for it. (Complete Biblical Library) NET NOTE - The vine became symbolic of Israel, and even appeared on some coins issued by the Maccabees. The OT passages which use this symbol appear to regard Israel as faithless to Yahweh (typically rendered as “Lord” in the OT) and/or the object of severe punishment. Ezek 15:1–8 in particular talks about the worthlessness of wood from a vine (in relation to disobedient Judah). A branch cut from a vine is worthless except to be burned as fuel. This fits more with the statements about the disciples (John 15:6) than with Jesus’ description of himself as the vine. Ezek 17:5–10 contains vine imagery which refers to a king of the house of David, Zedekiah, who was set up as king in Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah allied himself to Egypt and broke his covenant with Nebuchadnezzar (and therefore also with God), which would ultimately result in his downfall (17:20–21). Ezek 17:22–24 then describes the planting of a cedar sprig which grows into a lofty tree, a figurative description of Messiah. But it is significant that Messiah himself is not described in Ezek 17 as a vine, but as a cedar tree. The vine imagery here applies to Zedekiah’s disobedience. Jesus’ description of himself as the true vine in John 15:1 ff. is to be seen against this background, but it differs significantly from the imagery surveyed above. It represents new imagery which differs significantly from OT concepts; it appears to be original with Jesus. The imagery of the vine underscores the importance of fruitfulness in the Christian life and the truth that this results not from human achievement, but from one’s position in Christ. Jesus is not just giving some comforting advice, but portraying to the disciples the difficult path of faithful service. To some degree the figure is similar to the head-body metaphor used by Paul, with Christ as head and believers as members of the body. Both metaphors bring out the vital and necessary connection which exists between Christ and believers. True (adjective) (228) alethinos from alethes = true, one who cannot lie) is an adjective which pertains to being in accordance with historical fact - genuine, real, true, valid, trustworthy (worthy of confidence, dependable). Alethinos describes that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name -- thus genuine not spurious, fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended. In describing God as "True God" Paul is saying that He is a genuine, truthful (and thus trustworthy) God, as opposed to the counterfeit gods of idolatry that have no objective existence nor divine truth. Paul is emphasizing the monotheistic character of the Deity the Thessalonians now served which sharply distinguished them from the pagan so-called gods. True God - This phrase is also found in 2Chr. 15:3 (Lxx = alethinos); Jer 10:10; Jn. 17:3; 1Th 1:9; 1Jn. 5:20. Beloved, aren't we glad we worship and serve the One Who Alone can truly be called the "True God!" Praise Him today for revealing His truth to our blind, spiritually darkened hearts in Jesus Who is the Truth (Jn 14:6, cp 2Cor 4:6, Acts 26:18).
João 15
Johnson - If we fail to abide, we will lose our joy. Ron Dunn tells of speaking at a Valentine Banquet. The pastor had told him that there was a couple in the church that was causing problems. As they sat at the table, a man was telling jokes before he was to speak. They were stale jokes, but everyone was laughing and having a good time except one couple. Ron leaned over to the pastor and said, “I can point out the couple that's causing you problems.” When he pointed them out the pastor said, “How did you know?” Gotquestions (full note below) - Jesus does not withhold joy from us; rather, He shares His joy in proportion to our participation in His obedience. By surrendering our wills to God’s will, we can know the fullness of joy. We can partake in the same joy that Jesus had when He sacrificed His life for ours. Hence, joy is not a fleeting emotion but an enduring quality that overpowers the clenches of adversity. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “That your joy may be full.” Steven
João 15
Johnson - It is one thing for me to sing, “What A Friend I Have in Jesus.” It is quite another when Jesus says that He has a friend in me. There's a vast difference between the two! -When Jesus calls us His friend, it confers upon us the highest conceivable honor, that such a Lord as He, so infinitely superior to us, should condescend to enter into terms of friendship with us. -There cannot be friendship if it is all on one side. Friendship is a reciprocal thing. The one heart must be as the other heart, or else there is no friendship. -Jesus and I are friends because we have a mutual love for each other. Two friends value each other. Friends not only have a mutual love for one another, but friends must have a harmony of thought. hat Jesus loves, we love; What Jesus hates, we hate; What Jesus seeks, we seek; What Jesus shuns, we shun. This is true when there is but one heart in two bodies. Christ's object is His Father's glory. That is to be our object, too. His focus is to seek and to save the lost. That is to be our focus, too. -Jesus loves truth, holiness, righteousness, and harmony. We must love those same things. My Jesus I love Thee; I know Thou are Mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. Slaves (1401) doulos; doulos from deo = to bind) was an individual bound to another in servitude and conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with his master, belonging to him, obligated to and desiring to do his will and in a permanent relation of servitude. In sum, the will of the doulos is consumed in the will of the master. A slave is one who surrendered wholly to another’s will and thus devoted to another to the disregard of his own interest. Paul and Timothy were not their own but had been bought with the price of the blood of Christ. They were now the property of our Lord Jesus Christ and were His slaves exclusively. No man can serve two masters (Mt 6:24+). Paul and Timothy had been slaves of Sin (see note on "the Sin") by their birth into Adam's likeness, but now they are slaves of Christ by their new, second birth. They had no will of their own, no business of their own, no time of their own and were acting for their Master, Christ; dependent upon Him and obedient to Him. In the Greek culture doulos usually referred to the involuntary, permanent service of a slave, but the use in the epistles of Paul and Peter elevates the meaning of doulos to the Hebrew sense which describes a servant who willingly commits himself to serve a master he loves and respects (cp Ex 21:5, 6+ Dt 15:12-16+). By Roman times, slavery was so extensive that in the early Christian period one out of every two people was a slave! From at least 3000 BC captives in war were the primary source of slaves. Doulos speaks of submission to one's master The doulos had no life of his own, no will of his own, no purpose of his own and no plan of his own. All was subject to his master. The slave's every thought, breath, and effort was subject to the will of his master. In sum, the picture of a bondservant is one who is absolutely surrendered and totally devoted to his master. What a picture of Paul and Timothy's relation to their Lord! What an example for all believers of every age to emulate! This word provides an incredible word picture of those who are permanently bound in servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because He bought them with a price to be His own possession (cf 1Cor 6:20+, Acts 20:28+, Gal 3:13+, Heb 9:12+, 1Pe 1:18+, Re 5:9+, Titus 2:14+, 1Pe 2:9+). DOULOS IN JOHN'S GOSPEL - Jn. 4:51; Jn. 8:34; Jn. 8:35; Jn. 13:16; Jn. 15:15; Jn. 15:20; Jn. 18:10; Jn. 18:18; Jn. 18:26; Summary of a doulos… Was owned by and totally possessed by his master. Existed for his master and no other reason. Had no personal rights. Was at the master’s disposal "24/7". Had no will of his own but was completely subservient to the master Paradoxically a bondservant of the Most High God is one of the most privileged, noblest professions in the world. Little wonder that notable men of God in the have always been called the servants of God. The list of names includes: Moses (Dt 34:5+ Ps 105:26 Mal 4:4) Joshua (Josh 24:29+) David (2Sa 3:18+ Ps 78:70) Paul (Ro 1:1+; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:1+) Peter (2Pe 1:1+) James (James 1:1+) Jude (Jude 1:1 ) Prophets (Amos 3:7; Jer 7:25). Ideally believers (Acts 2:18+; 1Co 7:22+; Ep 6:6+; Col 4:12+; 2Ti 2:24+). Made known (1107) (gnorizo from ginosko = acquire information by whatever means but often with the implication of personal involvement or experience) means to cause information to be known by someone (make known, reveal, point out, explain), communicating things which were before unknown or reasserting things already known (Jn 15:15, Acts 7:13). To make clear. To "certify" (Gal 1:11KJV). As the result of consideration means to know, to possess information about, to know about, to have knowledge of , to be acquainted with (Php 1:22). Gnorizo is used especially of something unknowable by natural means but communicated by divine initiative (Eph 1:9). Zodhiates - Spoken of a teacher who unfolds divine things, to announce, declare, proclaim (John 15:15; 17:26; Rom. 16:26; Eph. 1:9; 6:19; 2 Pet. 1:16; Sept.: Ezek. 20:11). In the sense of to put in mind of, impress upon, confirm (1 Cor. 12:3; 15:1). Oswald Chambers - The fruitfulness of friendship I have called you friends. John 15:15. We never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we abandon in every particular. Self-surrender is the most difficult thing—‘I will if …!’ ‘Oh well, I suppose I must devote my life to God.’ There is none of the joy of self-sacrifice in that. As soon as we do abandon, the Holy Ghost gives us an intimation of the joy of Jesus. The final aim of self-sacrifice is laying down our lives for our Friend. When the Holy Ghost comes in, the great desire is to lay down the life for Jesus; the thought of sacrifice never touches us because sacrifice is the love passion of the Holy Ghost. Our Lord is our example in the life of self-sacrifice—“I delight to do Thy will, O My God.” He went on with His sacrifice with exuberant joy. Have I ever yielded in absolute submission to Jesus Christ? If Jesus Christ is not the lodestar, there is no benefit in the sacrifice; but when the sacrifice is made with the eyes on Him, slowly and surely the moulding influence begins to tell. Beware of letting natural affinities hinder your walk in love. One of the most cruel ways of killing natural love is by disdain built on natural affinities. The affinity of the saint is the Lord Jesus. Love for God is not sentimental; to love as God loves is the most practical thing for the saint. “I have called you friends.” It is a friendship based on the new life created in us, which has no affinity with our old life, but only with the life of God. It is unutterably humble, unsulliedly pure, and absolutely devoted to God. STREAMS IN THE DESERT - “I have called you friends.” (John 15:15) YEARS ago there was an old German professor whose beautiful life was a marvel to his students. Some of them resolved to know the secret of it; so one of their number hid in the study where the old professor spent his evenings. It was late when the teacher came in. He was very tired, but he sat down and spent an hour with his Bible. Then he bowed his head in secret prayer; and finally closing the Book of books, he said, “Well, Lord Jesus, we’re on the same old terms.” To know Him is life’s highest attainment; and at all costs, every Christian should strive to be “on the same old terms with Him.” The reality of Jesus comes as a result of secret prayer, and a personal study of the Bible that is devotional and sympathetic. Christ becomes more real to the one who persists in the cultivation of His presence. Speak thou to Him for He heareth, And spirit with spirit will meet! Nearer is He than breathing, Nearer than hands and feet. —Maltbie D. Babcock. QUESTION - Why did Jesus say, “I have called you friends” in John 15:15? ANSWER - In John 15:1–17, Jesus illustrates His relationship with believers: He is the “true vine,” and we are the “branches.” Christ is the center and source of the Christian life. The key to a healthy and productive relationship with Him is abiding in Jesus because, apart from Him, we can do nothing (verses 4–8). Obedience is another vital element to the vibrant love relationship we share with Him (verses 9–12). That obedience stems not from a sense of obligation or servitude but from a bond of friendship: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 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” (verses 13–15). Christ’s statement, “I have called you friends,” must have deeply moved the disciples since only Abraham and Moses were called God’s friends in Scripture (Exodus 33:11; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Jesus credits the disciples’ promotion to friendship status to their becoming privy to His insider teachings: “A master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15, NLT). Disclosing confidential information has been a feature of close friendships since the beginning of time. God shared His previously undisclosed plans with Abraham (Genesis 18:16–22) and spoke privately with Moses face to face (Exodus 33:11). Now, as friends of Jesus Christ, believers have the extraordinary opportunity to get to know God intimately. He takes us into His confidence (Psalm 145:18; James 4:8; Revelation 3:20). As members of His inner circle, the Lord lets us in on the secret mysteries of God (Ephesians 1:9; Romans 16:25). Jesus makes known to us everything He has learned from the Father. Christians receive unrestricted access to the truth, although we are limited by our ability to comprehend it all (John 16:12). While Jesus is our Lord and Master, and we are His willing servants (Luke 12:35–36; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Colossians 3:23–24; Ephesians 6:6; 1 Peter 2:16), our relationship with Him takes on a different quality than mere Master and slave. A slave or bondservant was expected to obey his master’s orders without explanation. Because Jesus calls us into a loving alliance, we are privileged to partake of His divine revelation (Hebrews 1:1–2; John 1:18; 14:10; 17:6). With “those who fear him,” the Lord holds nothing back (Isaiah 50:4; Psalm 25:14; John 8:31–32; 14:7). In Jesus, we have the greatest possible friend. He loves us so much that He was willing to lay down His life on the cross to save us (John 3:16; 5:13; Romans 5:7–8). He is the “Good Shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). He is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24) and a faithful companion who “will never leave [us] nor forsake [us]” (Joshua 1:5). He loves us “to the very end” (John 13:1), which in the original language means He loves us “to love’s fullest extent and uttermost limit.” Because Jesus said, “I have called you friends,” we ought to treasure that relationship by drawing near to Him every day, spending time in His Word, learning what He wants to teach us about the Father, obeying His commands, abiding in Him, bearing fruit, and doing “the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). We have the privilege and honor of being called His friends only because of His grace in choosing us (John 15:16). James Smith - ARE WE SERVANTS OR FRIENDS? “Henceforth I call you not servants: for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth, but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). There are two classes spoken of here, servants and friends. These may represent two classes of Christians, or two different experiences in the Christian life. Those living in the outer and those in the inner court of communion. From these deeply significant words we may learn— 1. That it is a privilege to be a servant, but a greater privilege to be a friend. A man’s servants may not always be his friends. We may serve the Lord in a way without being happy in His friendship. 2. That servants are hired, but friends are made by voluntary choice. It is easy to get servants if the hire is very liberal. Friends are not purchased for money. Are we only serving the Lord for the material or social advantage it brings, or are we connected with Him by our own hearty voluntary choice? Servants or friends? 3. The servant knoweth not his master’s secret purposes, but his friends do. (ED: NOT ABSOLUTELY TRUE - BECAUSE A TRUSTED SERVANT WAS OFTEN MORE INTIMATE WITH THE KING THAN EVEN FAMILY MEMBERS!) It is enough for the mere servant to obey, but the friend has the hidden things revealed to him (1 Cor. 2:10). The hireling cannot receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, just because he is an hireling, and so the hidden wisdom cannot be imparted. The friends are wise in Christ, they have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things (Psa. 25:14). 4. The servant works for wages, the friend serves for love. The love of Christ constrains those who live in the inner circle of His friendship. Those who serve for wages long for the lengthening of the shadow that they may cease their work. They are always glad when the given task is over. It is not so with the friends. They are found constantly saying, “What may I do for thee now?” They live for His Name’s honour and His cause’s good. To me to live is Christ. 5. The servant suggests obedience, but the friend fellowship. (ED: OF COURSE THE QUICKEST WAY TO BREAK FELLOWSHIP IS TO DISOBEY"!) The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” (Gen. 18:17). Abraham was more than a servant, he was the “friend of God.” Friends will show themselves friendly. If a man love Me he will keep My words. “Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” What are ye? Hired servants or loving friends? NO, NOT ONE! (BORROW AMAZING GRACE - KENNETH OSBECK - PAGE 76) (PLAY THIS GREAT HYMN NO NOT ONE IF YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HEART REJOICING & YOUR FEET TAPPING TODAY! SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!) Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856–1922 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends … (John 15:15) He became poor that we might become rich (James 2:5). He was born that we might be born again (John 1:14). He became a servant that we might become sons (Galatians 4:6, 7). He had no home that we might have a home in heaven (Matthew 8:20). He was made sin that we might be made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died that we might live (John 5:24, 25). This is another of our favorite Sunday school songs that extols, in child-like language, our living Lord. It has a typical gospel song character in that it employs a repetitive phrase—“No, not one”—which allows people of all ages and backgrounds to join heartily together in the praise of Christ. Gospel songs such as this can teach even the youngest child the truth of the pre-eminence of our Lord and His nearness in every situation of our lives. The author, Johnson Oatman, Jr., was an ordained Methodist minister, but he worked most of his life in the insurance business. He wrote numerous gospel hymn texts including “Higher Ground” and “Count Your Blessings.” The composer, George C. Hugg, was an active lay musician-choir director in various churches in the Philadelphia area. He too was active in writing and publishing Sunday school songs during this time. In times of stress and loneliness, these simple words with their easily sung tune, that many of us first sang in our earliest Sunday school classes, still minister to us today: (PLAY THIS GREAT HYMN NO NOT ONE There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! no, not one! None else could heal all your soul’s diseases, no, not one! no, not one! No friend like Him is so high and holy, no, not one! no, not one! And yet no friend is so meek and lowly, no, not one! no, not one! There’s not an hour that He is not near us, no, not one! no, not one! No night so dark but His love can cheer us, no, not one! no, not one! Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him? no, not one! no, not one! Or sinner find that He would not take him? no, not one! no, not one! Was e’er a gift like the Savior given? no, not one! no, not one! Will He refuse us a home in heaven? no, not one! no, not one! Refrain: Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide till the day is done. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! no, not one! For Today: Proverbs 18:24; Matthew 11:29; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 3:20 When a difficult situation arises, let the simple, child-like truth of this music minister to your need. A Friend He Couldn't Forget John 15:15 When 17th century clergyman Bishop Beveridge wa on his deathbed, he could no longer recognize anyone. The man who had been his associate minister for years visited him and inquired, "Bishop, do you know me?" "No, who are you?" said Beveridge. Another person entered who knew him well and received the same response. Finally, one of them said, "Bishop, do you still know the Lord Jesus Christ?" Hearing those words, he brightened. "Oh yes, I've known Him for forty years. He's my dearest Friend!" It's not unusual for someone who is ill and dying to lapse into a state where most memories seem to be erased. Yet if the Name of Jesus is mentioned, he may perk up and exclaim, "He's my Savior!" I know of a young girl who lay in coma for many months. The doctors said she would never speak again. Yet just before she died, she whispered the entire 23rd Psalm. She still knew the Good Shepherd! When Jesus said to His disciples, "Your are My friends" (Jn 15:14), He was affirming a relationship that would remain strong even in the last flickering moments of our life! As we cultivate that relationship through obedience, we'll find it to be the greatest friendship in all the world! -- Henry Bosch Christ is the only Friend you will ever find without fault -- Is He yours? How To Treat A Friend No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends. — John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-15 Suppose an old acquaintance stops by unexpectedly at your home during breakfast. You offer to take the day off, but he insists that you keep your regular schedule. So you invite him to go with you to work, and he accepts. How would he feel if you then ignored him completely—didn’t converse with him, failed to acknowledge his presence at coffeebreaks and lunch, and neglected to introduce him to anyone? We would all agree—that’s no way to treat a friend! Jesus told His disciples that they were His friends (Jn. 15:15). And we who know Christ as our personal Savior have the assurance that we too are His friends. Do we, however, treat Him as our Friend? Evaluate your friendship with the Lord by asking yourself these questions: Do I talk with Jesus in prayer throughout the day? Do I take time to read and meditate on His Word? Do I enjoy fellowship with Him? Am I concerned about what He thinks of my activities? Do I introduce Him to others? Do I ignore Him or respect Him? Can others tell that I have a close relationship with Christ? Jesus is all the world to me, And true to him I'll be; Oh, how could I this friend deny, When he's so true to me? Following him I know I'm right, He watches o'er me day and night; Following him by day and night, He's my friend. esus is all the world to me, I want no better friend; I trust him now, I'll trust him when Life's fleeting days shall end: Beautiful life with such a friend, Beautiful life that has no end; Eternal life, eternal joy, He's my friend. —Thompson Christ's friendship calls for our faithfulness. An Invitation To Friendship No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. — John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 I grew up in a home with lots of wall plaques. One had a quotation by poet Claude Mermet that stands out in my mind: “Friends are like melons; let me tell you why: To find a good one, you must one hundred try!” Most of us can identify with that. It’s hard to find good friends. I wonder if God ever feels that way about us? Out of all the people in the Old Testament, only one was ever called His friend. In Isaiah 41:8, God says that He chose Jacob, who was an offspring of “Abraham My friend.” Pretty exclusive club! So you can imagine how shocking it was for the disciples to hear Jesus say, “No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Better yet, He is saying that to us as well. So, what does friendship with Jesus look like? It starts with commitment. As He said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (v.14). Then He added the dynamic of communication. He promised to tell us all that the Father has told Him (v.15). Are you listening? And as His friends we begin to bear fruit (v.16), sharing a commonality with Him by reflecting His glory in our attitudes and actions (2 Cor. 3:18). Jesus welcomes you to the privilege of friendship with Him! Are you His friend? By: Joe Stowell What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! —Scriven Welcome to the privilege of friendship with God. A New Friend I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. —John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 While flying from Europe back to the US, I found myself sitting next to a little girl who never stopped talking from the moment she sat down. She told me the history of her family and all about her puppy, who was in the hold of the plane. She pointed excitedly to everything around us, “Look at this! Look at that!” I couldn’t help but think that 8 hours of this could make for a very long flight! We chatted for a while until she suddenly got quiet. She pulled her blanket up around her, so I thought maybe she was going to doze off. I quickly took advantage of the break and reached for the nearest magazine. But before I could open it, I felt a little elbow in my side. I looked down at her, and she threw out her little hand and said, “Hey, Joe, wanna be friends?” My heart melted. “Sure,” I said, “let’s be friends.” What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer. —Scriven Jesus longs to be your Friend. A Mutual Friend I have called you friends. — John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 Imagine being a visitor in a foreign land, showing up unannounced at a gathering of people you have never met and who have never heard of you—and then being allowed to address that group just a few minutes later. That can happen only if something breaks down barriers— something like mutual friends. It happened when I took a missions team to a church service in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Before we left the US, my friend Dorant Brown, a Jamaican pastor, recommended a church to attend. So when we arrived at the church, and I mentioned Pastor Brown, we were not only welcomed, but I was also asked to speak briefly and our team was asked to sing. While sharing Dorant’s name was vital, I really don’t think it was that mutual friend who got us such a warm welcome. I think it was our shared Friend and Savior Jesus who opened our Jamaican friends’ hearts to our visit. Have you experienced a connection with someone you just met when you tell them you too know Jesus? He’s a friend who laid down His life for us (John 15:13), and He makes brothers and sisters of all who believe (1 Peter 2:17). Join hands, then, brothers of the faith, Whate’er your race may be; Who serves my Father as a son Is surely kin to me. —Oxenham Those who are drawn to Christ are drawn to each other. Time For Friendship A friend loves at all times. — Proverbs 17:17 Today's Scripture : John 15:12-17 We really can’t make more time. There are only 24 hours in a day, and no matter how frantically we try it’s impossible to stretch those 24 into 25. So our problem isn’t how to increase time but how wisely to use our daily allotment of those 1,440 minutes as they steadily tick away. Stop, then, and think about this vital issue. Apart from eating, sleeping, doing necessary tasks, and working at income-earning jobs, how are we spending that precious commodity we call time? Whatever else we’re doing, are we giving time to relationships? Well-known author Les Parrott III points out that few things are more conducive to our well-being than investing time in friendships. Research shows, he reports, that “ignoring friendship not only diminishes your quality of life but could also be a health hazard.” Parrott says that close friendships can reduce the risk of illness. If investing time in strengthening our friendships is so essential to our well-being, what about our relationship with Jesus? He said to His disciples, “No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Our life can be so very busy That we have no time for friends; But we must spend more time with Jesus, For His friendship never ends. —Fitzhugh Time is a friend when you use it to strengthen your friendship with Jesus! His Friends Know No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends. — John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:13-17 Rene Lacoste, the world’s top tennis player in the late 1920s, won seven major singles titles during his career, including multiple victories at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open. His friends called him “Le Crocodile,” an apt term for his tenacious play on the court. Lacoste accepted the nickname and had a tiny crocodile embroidered on his tennis blazer. When he added it to a line of shirts he designed, the symbol caught on. While thousands of people around the world wore “alligator shirts,” the emblem always had a deeper significance for Lacoste’s friends who knew its origin and meaning. The cross, an emblem of Christianity, holds special meaning for every friend of Christ. Whenever we see a cross, it speaks to us of Christ’s tenacious determination to do His Father’s will by dying for us on Calvary. What a privilege to know Him and be included in His words to His disciples: “No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends” (Jn. l5:l5). A friend of Jesus! O what bliss That one, so vile as I, Should ever have a friend like this To lead me to the sky! Refrain: Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine, O what blessèd, sweet communion, Jesus is a friend of mine! A friend when other friend ships cease, A friend when others fail, A friend who gives me joy and peace, A friend who will prevail. A friend when sickness lays me low, A friend when death draws near, A friend as through the vale I go, A friend to help and cheer. A friend when life’s short race is o’er, A friend when earth is past, A friend to meet on Heaven’s shore, A friend when home at last. —Joseph C Ludgate (1898) Because of the cross of Christ, we can become friends of Christ. You’ve Got A Friend [Jesus said,] “I have called you friends.” —John 15:15 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 23 One of the ironic consequences of the sweeping growth of social media is that we often find ourselves more personally isolated. One online article warns: “Those who oppose leading one’s life primarily or exclusively online claim that virtual friends are not adequate substitutes for real-world friends, and . . . individuals who substitute virtual friends for physical friends become even lonelier and more depressive than before.” Technology aside, all of us battle with seasons of loneliness, wondering if anyone knows, understands, or cares about the burdens we carry or the struggles we face. But followers of Christ have an assurance that brings comfort to our weary hearts. The comforting presence of the Savior is promised in words that are undeniable, for the psalmist David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4). I’ve found a Friend; O such a Friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. —Small Those who know Jesus as their Friend are never alone. Genuine Friends No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. —John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 Experts who track the changing vocabulary of the English language chose unfriend as the New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Year for 2009. They defined it as a verb, “to remove someone as a friend on a social networking Web site,” such as Facebook. On that site, friends allow each other to access the personal information on their Facebook pages. They may never meet face to face or even exchange greetings online. In our world of fleeting cyber acquaintances, we are beginning to realize that having a true friend means more now than ever before. When Jesus called His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), He spoke of a unique relationship involving mutual commitment. He was only hours from laying down His life (v.13), and He asked them to show their friendship by keeping His commands (v.14). Most astonishing, perhaps, is Jesus’ statement: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (v.15). Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end. —Chapman The dearest friend on earth is but a mere shadow compared to Jesus. He Calls Me Friend All things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you . . . that you should go and bear fruit. — John 15:15-16 Today's Scripture : John 15:9-17 Someone has defined friendship as “knowing the heart of another and sharing one’s heart with another.” We share our hearts with those we trust, and trust those who care about us. We confide in our friends because we have confidence that they will use the information to help us, not harm us. They in turn confide in us for the same reason. We often refer to Jesus as our friend because we know that He wants what is best for us. We confide in Him because we trust Him. But have you ever considered that Jesus confides in His people? Jesus began calling His disciples friends rather than servants because He had entrusted them with everything He had heard from His Father (John 15:15). Jesus trusted the disciples to use the information for the good of His Father’s kingdom. Sweet thought! We have a Friend above, Our weary, faltering steps to guide, Who follows with His eye of love The precious child for whom He died. —Anon. Christ’s friendship calls for our faithfulness. What Is A Friend? No longer do I call you servants, . . . but I have called you friends. — John 15:15 Today's Scripture : John 15:15-27 Socrates once asked a simple old man what he was most thankful for. The man replied, “That being such as I am, I have had the friends I have had.” Some “friends” are fickle. In the book of Proverbs we read, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend” (19:4). A true friend, however, “loves at all times” (17:17) and “sticks closer than a brother” (18:24). Our English word friend comes from the same root as the word freedom. A genuine friend sets us free to be who and what we are. We can pour out our doubts and talk freely about the wolves howling at the door of our life. A faithful friend also affirms our worth. Queen Victoria said of William Gladstone, “When I am with him, I feel I am with one of the most important leaders in the world.” But of Benjamin Disraeli she said, “He makes me feel as if I am one of the most important leaders of the world.” A friend accepts us as we are Yet helps us be what we can be; A friend affirms us when we're weak— A friend gives strength to set us free. —DJD Our best friends draw us closer to Christ. HE CALLS YOU “FRIEND” NO LONGER DO I CALL YOU SLAVES . . . ; BUT I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, FOR ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY FATHER I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO YOU.—John 15:15 NASB I don’t remember much about my mom’s decorating, but I do remember the plaque that hung on our dining room wall. It read, “Friends are like melons; let me tell you why: to find a good one, you must one hundred try.” Which may explain why I often heard my dad say, “Joe, the greatest treasure in life is trusted friends.” You really can’t beat a good friend. Friends care for you regardless. They are there when you need them. They laugh with you and cry with you. They cover your faults and affirm your strengths. They share secrets and keep your confidences. Life is enriched when friends are close. All of which makes it an amazing thought to hear that Jesus considers us His friends. As He taught His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His death proved not only that He loves us, but that He loves us as a friend. The thought that God treats me as His friend stuns my needy heart. To think that He “walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own” gets me through a lot of rough water. That He never leaves me and doesn’t forsake me secures my anxious soul (Hebrews 13:5–6). That He has experienced every pain and therefore feels my pain comforts me in distress. That He freely supplies abundant grace and mercy in my time of need fills my staggering spirit with fresh resolve (Hebrews 4:14–16). What a privilege to sing, “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one! No not one! None else could heal all our soul’s diseases, No not one! no not one! Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; there’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No not one! No not one!” What a friend we have in Jesus! Bask in the blessing of His friendship. (See Joseph Stowell's Strength for the Journey: Day By Day With Jesus - Page 25) John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. did not choose Me: John 15:19 Jn 6:70 Jn 13:18 Lu 6:13 Ac 1:24 9:15 10:41 22:14 Ro 9:11-16,21 1Jn 4:10,19 appointed you: John 20:21-23 21:15-17 Isa 49:1-3 Jer 1:5-7 Mt 28:18,19 Mk 16:15,16 Lu 24:47-49 Ac 1:8 Ro 1:5 15:15,16 1Co 9:16-18 Ga 1:15 Eph 2:10 Col 1:23 1Ti 2:7 2Ti 1:11 2:2 Tit 1:5 bear fruit: John 15:8 Pr 11:30 Isa 27:6 55:10-13 Mic 5:7 Ro 1:13 15:16-19 1Co 3:6,7 Col 1:6 Jas 3:18 your fruit would remain: Ge 18:18 Ps 71:18 78:4-6 145:4 Zec 1:4-6 Ac 20:25-28 Ro 15:4 1Co 10:11 2Ti 3:15-17 Heb 11:4 1Pe 1:14-21 3:2,15 whatever you ask of the Father: John 15:7 14:13,14 16:23,24 Mt 21:22 John 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 6:70 (CHOSEN NOT ALWAYS RELATED TO ELECTION TO SALVATION) Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose (eklego/eklegomai) you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Luke 6:13 (CHOSEN NOT ALWAYS RELATED TO ELECTION TO SALVATION) And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose (eklego/eklegomai) twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: John 13:18 (CHOSEN NOT ALWAYS RELATED TO ELECTION TO SALVATION) “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen (eklego/eklegomai); but (EVEN THOUGH HE HAD CHOSEN JUDAS) it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’ Ephesians 1:4+ just as He chose (eklego/eklegomai) us in Him before the foundation of the world, that (WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF HIM CHOOSING US?) we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love WHY GOD CHOSE TO MAKE SINNERS INTO SAINTS You did not choose (eklego/eklegomai) Me but (term of contrast - to many this is a shocking, upsetting contrast!) I chose (eklego/eklegomai) you - While some might say this choosing is for service, one cannot exclude an allusion to the doctrine of election. Sinful men cannot choose to be saved. As Jesus has clearly stated "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." (Jn 6:44+, cf Jn 6:65+) But (term of contrast) introduces the dramatic change of direction regarding choice. A holy God chooses lost men. Lost men do not choose a holy God! NET NOTE You did not choose me, but I chose you. If the disciples are now elevated in status from slaves to friends, they are friends who have been chosen by Jesus, rather than the opposite way round. Again this is true of all Christians, not just the twelve, and the theme that Christians are “chosen” by God appears frequently in other NT texts (e.g., Rom 8:33; Eph 1:4ff.; Col 3:12; and 1 Pet 2:4). Putting this together with the comments on Jn 15:14 one may ask whether the author sees any special significance at all for the twelve. Jesus said in John 6:70 and Jn 13:18 that he chose them, and Jn 15:27 makes clear that Jesus in the immediate context is addressing those who have been with him from the beginning. In the Fourth Gospel the twelve, as the most intimate and most committed followers of Jesus, are presented as the models for all Christians, both in terms of their election and in terms of their mission. And appointed (commissioned, ordained - cf same idea in Acts 20:28; 1Co 12:28; 2Ti 1:11) you that (hina - purpose of choosing and commissioning) you would go (present tense - continually) and bear (present tense - continually) fruit (karpos) - Why did Jesus appoint the 11 disciples? Once again we see His emphasis on the importance of bearing fruit, but to bearing He adds going. Go and grow (bear) is the thought. And both go and bear are in the present tense calling for this to be the disciple's lifestyle, a lifestyle dependent on the Spirit enabling the going and the bearing. Notice how this go and grow (bear) commission parallels Jesus' final charge to the disciples in Mt 28:19-20+ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” THOUGHT - Are you going and growing (bearing) fruit, beloved? You need to redeem the short time (Eph 5:16+, Jas 4:14+, Ps 90:12+) you have to share the Gospel and leave the results (fruit bearing) up to the Spirit. But as Romans 10:14-15 asks "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Do you have beautiful feet dear doulos of Christ? NET NOTE The purpose for which the disciples were appointed (“commissioned”) is to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains. The introduction of the idea of “going” at this point suggests that the fruit is something more than just character qualities in the disciples’ own lives, but rather involves fruit in the lives of others, i.e., Christian converts. There is a mission involved (cf. John 4:36). The idea that their fruit is permanent, however, relates back to vv. 7–8, as does the reference to asking the Father in Jesus’ name. It appears that as the imagery of the vine and the branches develops, the “fruit” which the branches produce shifts in emphasis from qualities in the disciples’ own lives in John 15:2, 4, 5 to the idea of a mission which affects the lives of others in John 15:16. The point of transition would be the reference to fruit in 15:8. To be spiritually fruitful, plant God's Word in your heart. and that your fruit (karpos) would remain (meno) - This is the second promised result of having been chosen and commissioned! Notice that remain (meno) is in the present tense which signifies the fruit would continually remain. But what does that mean? Does it mean it won't rot or does it mean something else? In other words, what is Jesus saying about the longevity of spiritual fruit? He is promising that your supernatural fruit would endure throughout eternity! In other words, Jesus is saying our fruit will accompany us to glory! Hallelujah! Amazing grace! THOUGHT - Would you like to bear fruit that last forever and ever, amen? You might consider a prayer like this - "O Lord, please enable me to continually abide in the Vine, Christ Jesus, that I might be enable by His Spirit to bear fruit for Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen" So that (hina - term of purpose) whatever you ask (aiteo) of the Father (pater) in My name (onoma - see note) He may give to you - This is not a "genie in a bottle" promise. It is a promise hinged on asking in Jesus' Name. However Jesus' Name added to the end of a prayer is not a magical formula guaranteeing an affirmative reply from God! So what does it mean to ask in My Name? One could think of it as asking in Jesus' place. Jesus is not on earth now but He has left us as His slaves and one "job" we are privileged to perform is asking the Father what Jesus Himself would have asked of the Father. And if we are actively, effectively abiding in Him, it is clearly more likely that we would be ask what He would ask of the Father. One way we can test our request is by asking "Will this request bring glory and honor to our Father?" (Jn 14:13-14+) Another test is "Is my request in accord with the will of God." (1Jn 5:14-15+). Lowell Johnson on bearing fruit - Many Christians make fruit – bearing more complicated and difficult than it really is. Some have struggled and worked and tried and served and they are discouraged over their lack of fruitfulness and resentful of others who are fruitful. Have you ever seen a fruit tree or a grapevine struggle to produce fruit? Well, how do you bear fruit? By abiding. Even though the branch BEARS fruit, it doesn't PRODUCE the fruit. The branches of the vine just abide in the vine, remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after week after month after year. They simply rest in their connected position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within. To bear fruit is to abide in Christ and stay connected to Him so completely that the “Sap of the Holy Spirit” flows through every part of our being. The fruit that we bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort of your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we don't concentrate on fruit bearing, we concentrate on our personal relationship and fellowship with our Lord Jesus. What is the fruit our Lord wants us to bear? 1. Ro 1:13 – The winning of souls 2. Ro 6:22 – The fruit of holiness 3. Ro 15:26-28 – Financial giving 4. Col 1:10 – Every good work 5. Heb 13:15 – Giving thanks and praise to God with our lips. 6. Gal 5:22-23 – The ultimate and most important fruit is love. We cannot bear fruit without the water of God's Word. Choose (1586) eklego/eklegomai from ek = out, out of, out from + légo = select, choose) (see also word study on related word eklektos) means literally to select out, single out or choose out of. The idea in eklego speaks of the sizable number from which the selection is made. It implies the taking of a smaller number out of a larger. For example, in secular use, Virgil's Eclogues (from eklego) are short, selected excerpts taken from a larger collection of poems. ELEGO/EKLEGOMAI - 22x/20v - choose(4), chose(7), chosen(8), made a choice(1), picking(1), select(1). Mk. 13:20; Lk. 6:13; Lk. 9:35; Lk. 10:42; Lk. 14:7; Jn. 6:70; Jn. 13:18; Jn. 15:16; Jn. 15:19; Acts 1:2; Acts 1:24; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:17; Acts 15:7; Acts 15:22; Acts 15:25; 1 Co. 1:27; 1 Co. 1:28; Eph. 1:4; Jas. 2:5 A H Strong explained it this way - Election and sovereignty are only sources of good. Election is not a decree to destroy, it is a decree to save. When we elect a president, we do not need to hold a second election to determine that the remaining millions shall be non-presidents.