WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:05.040 I want you to turn with me this morning to John chapter 15. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:08.160 John chapter 15. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:13.519 And I'm going to need a little more lights up here, please, so I can see. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:16.399 Thank you. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:23.280 Now, today, we're going to be looking at what is a friend. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:25.920 Have you ever asked that question? 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:28.640 What is a real true friend? 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:44.320 Well, Jesus, in John 15, talking and training his disciples, in verse 11 through 16 makes a profound statement about what a true friend really is. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:56.960 And in verse 11, in John 15, he says, and I love this, he says in John 15, verse 11, these things have I spoken unto you. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:00:59.439 In other words, what things? 00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:08.000 God's word, God's truth, God's directions, God's principles, God's promises. 00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:13.200 These things have I spoken unto you that my, oh, I like this. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:18.879 Joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:28.319 And then when you see this context, he says, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:34.159 In other words, he's saying, you can't have full joy without full love. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:41.120 And part of that love is loving your brother and sister in Christ. 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:47.680 Part of that love is having friends that love you unconditionally. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:49.280 That's what he's talking about. 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:54.719 Because he goes on and he says, greater love had no man than this, then a man lay down his life for his friends. 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:57.840 It doesn't get any greater than that, folks. 00:01:58.319 --> 00:02:01.599 That you're willing to give your life for someone else. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:04.159 And then he goes on, you are my friends. 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:05.120 Oh, there's the word. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:06.079 Circle it. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:09.520 And by the way, if you're watching online, pull up the outline. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:10.719 You're right there with me. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:12.400 You can go online right now. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:14.479 Benji will tell you, and there it is. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:15.680 In fact, there it is. 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:20.960 And we're going to see the first principle is the basis of Christian friendship. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:22.560 So fill in your notes. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:23.759 I'm excited about that. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:24.800 Now watch this. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:29.439 You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you in verse 14. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:39.439 Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth, but I have called you woo friends. 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:44.719 God has called you that are born again, that know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:46.800 He's called you friends. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:50.560 For all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. 00:02:50.639 --> 00:02:51.680 You know what he's saying there? 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:53.039 That's a powerful statement. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:56.719 He's literally saying, I have not hid anything from you. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:58.000 Nothing. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:02:59.120 Nothing. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:03.360 In other words, I have shared my whole heart with you. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:06.879 I have poured out my soul unto you. 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:33.840 In fact, David and Jonathan, the greatest example of true friendship in the Bible, in 1 Samuel 18, after Jonathan met David and after King Saul brought David into his kingdom and ended up David being the leader of the army, but Jonathan's soul, literally, the Bible says in 1 Samuel 18, verse 1 and 3, they were knitted together. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:37.439 And that's what a true friend is. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:41.919 There's more than a qua a friend's more than an acquaintance. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:48.319 It's two hearts coming together and becoming one. 00:03:48.639 --> 00:03:52.240 You mean kind of like your husband and wife relationship? 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:53.280 Absolutely. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:59.120 In fact, you're going to see the word philosoph and what that means in a minute. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:05.439 And then we're also going to look at the word knitted together that Jonathan used for David. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.960 But the word philos literally means lover. 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.199 That's one of the synonyms. 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:17.120 So we see this powerful statement right here, but I have called you friends. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:23.759 In other words, Jesus said, I have knitted my heart together with you. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:25.279 Wow. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:26.560 Wow. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:30.240 And then, for all things have I given to you. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.560 And then he says in verse 16, You've not chosen me, but I've chosen you. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:37.519 And ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.639 Oh, I love that. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.839 Bring forth fruit. 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:42.079 What is part of bearing fruit? 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.519 Friendships. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:49.839 Hey, making friends, being close friends, especially church family friends. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:52.879 And that's our next series, God's laid on my heart. 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:58.079 Hey, right after Easter, we're going to start our new series on fruit-bearing. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:04.480 And I'm going to title the new series, Fruit That Remains. 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:07.279 Fruit That Remains. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:08.639 And it's going to be awesome. 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:12.480 We're going to look at the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, 22 and 23. 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:17.519 But right here he says, you bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.800 Fruit that remains is the next series. 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:25.279 That whatsoever you should ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:26.000 Wow. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:28.000 So today I want us to look at three things. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:32.720 First of all, I want us to look at the word friend. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:45.519 Friend is defined so broadly today that it can be used to refer to all social acquaintances and even school and business associates. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:06:02.800 But when it comes to serious study of this word, this term that Jesus used personally, we find that in ordinary uses as well as biblical language, the word philos or friends conveys the idea of comrade. 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:06.720 It conveys the idea of companion, partner, lover. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:07.839 Wow. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:09.279 Philos. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:10.720 It means devoted. 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:15.759 It means the love existing between a family member. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.920 It's kind and affectionate. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:23.600 In fact, listen to how Paul puts this word in Romans 12, 9. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:28.079 He says, let love be without dissimilation. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:35.199 The word dissimilation there in the King James literally means let love be without disguise. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:40.319 In other words, friendship should be without disguise. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.000 You know, let me tell you something. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.720 When you, when you, that's what I love about our church. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:48.560 Our church is a family and we're friends, and you know it. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:53.360 People right now are calling me and they're saying, preacher, we don't know what to do. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:55.040 We're missing our church. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:59.439 We want to be there so we can be loved and be encouraging and encourage people. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.519 That's what true friendship means when you're knitted together. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:09.759 You're a companion, and anytime you and your companion are separated, there's a void. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.839 And this is what he's saying right here. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:26.480 So we see right here, our conception of friendship undergoes an immediate change when we think of it in the terms of our Christian relationships. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.839 And that's what I want us to look at. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:32.560 How do we live out our everyday friendships with our friends? 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:38.000 Number one, let's look at the basis of our Christian friendship. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.600 Look at verse 13 again. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:45.040 Greater love hath no man did this than a man lay down his life for his friends. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:57.360 The Lord Jesus made it quite plain right here that the basis of true friendship right here is a love which is both spiritual and sacrificial. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:59.040 You need to write that in. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:01.680 Both spiritual and sacrificial. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:05.600 In fact, the first part we're going to look at, what is spiritual love? 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:06.240 There it is. 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:08.319 Greater love hath no man than this. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:10.160 That's a spiritual love. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:16.240 You can't have this kind of love without being friends with Jesus. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:24.079 You can't be a friend like you ought to be a friend to another person if you are not a friend of Jesus. 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:27.920 So the first step is you got to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.600 You've got to be Jesus' friend. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.040 Can I get an amen? 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:34.399 You got to be Jesus' friend first. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:42.240 I can't love you like Christ loves you if I don't have a relationship with Christ. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:49.600 You can't love me like Christ wants you to love me if you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:54.799 And that's exactly what Jesus is teaching right here. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:09:01.519 In fact, our Lord brought attention in verse 9 in chapter 15 later. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:02.639 Look at what he said. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:07.519 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.759 Continue in my love. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:15.279 In other words, we can't love like Christ if we don't know Christ. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:18.559 And then he goes on and adds, verse 13. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:23.200 He says, you're to love other people like I love you. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:29.279 And then he says, when you love them like I love you, then you're loving them like God loves you. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:31.440 And man, that's so good. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.720 And that's so true. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:46.399 And this strongly implies that no matter to what height human friendship may rise, it becomes Christian only when it is transformed into a love which is fundamentally spiritual. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:51.440 It's got to be an intimate relationship with Christ, and then it will. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:57.360 Friendship also may easily start with a physical attraction. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:04.799 A lot of times, friendships are developed because of physical attraction or physical likeness. 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:18.799 And what I mean by that, uh, one of the examples here, and he happens to be sitting here, one of my good friends, Clay Brockton, uh, he came here and visited years ago on a July and came in and said, We're here for four weeks in a row. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:20.399 We're going to check you out. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:23.919 And uh so, and then he said the magic word. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:25.679 Well, he asked me a question. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:29.759 He said, I hear, preacher, you ride motorcycles. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:34.000 I said, Oh, not only do I ride motorcycles, my wife rides a motorcycle. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:36.240 He said, Well, we need to go riding. 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:39.440 And I immediately said, Huh, what about Saturday? 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:44.320 We go, and for two or three, four years, we rode every Saturday morning. 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:48.960 Most of the time we go ride and eat breakfast and take a little ride for a couple hours. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:56.720 And so I was attracted to his friendship because of a commonality of motorcycle riding. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:04.639 So a lot of times we are drawn to people by uh our common interest, and that's good. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:11.360 Or uh you were drawn to your wife, possibly, by her physical attraction. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:18.159 When I saw my wife, I went, whoo! She's looking good. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:25.200 Then I found out she was about to get engaged, and I asked the question, Are you engaged yet? 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:26.320 She said no. 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:27.919 Ha ha! I said, I'm in. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.600 Now I can go to work. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:40.879 But but then not only the common interest and the physical attraction, let me tell you what else it is. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:46.879 True friendship is based on social agreement. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:51.759 And it personal which means personal affection. 00:11:52.399 --> 00:12:00.320 But friendship does not reach its total consummation until it's transformed into a spiritual love. 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:01.679 And that's the key. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:05.360 In fact, Jesus put it this way in John 13, 1. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.240 I have loved you to the end. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:12.639 And look at how Paul put it again in Romans 12, 10. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:23.759 He said, Be kindly affectionate one to another with watch this, brotherly love and honor, perfecting one another. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:26.879 In other words, building each other up. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:31.120 A true friend has your best interests at heart. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.320 Can I say that? 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:34.799 Let me, that's very, you ought to write that down. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:39.039 A true friend has your best interests at heart. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:47.919 That's they're looking for ways to be a blessing to you, to bless you, to help you, to build you up. 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:56.159 That's what a true friend really is, which only will be exhibited by spiritual love. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.759 I can tell you that right now. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:03.039 Because you got to deny flesh in order for you and me to build someone else up. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.039 Can I get an amen or an oh me? 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.159 Is that not true? 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.639 Because we want to build our own selves up. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:12.320 Which brings me to the second point on the basis of love. 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:14.879 Not only is it spiritual, but secondly, what's this? 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.399 It's sacrificial. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.000 Look at verse 13. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:23.120 Greater love hath no man than this, then a man lay down his life for his friends. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:36.000 When you're willing to put your life, hey, in front of your friend and willing to give your life for your friend, ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't get any more sacrificial than that. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:41.120 And that's exactly what Jesus did 2,000 years ago on Calvary for us. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:46.720 He gave up his life so that you and I might have life and have it more abundantly. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:49.440 So we see it's sacrificial love. 00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:54.080 The spirit of true friendship is always ready. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:56.080 And I wrote these three things. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:57.519 I call it the three D's. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:00.960 Here's what a true sacrificial friend will do. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:06.720 They're always ready to do, to dare, and to die for you. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:11.519 To do, to dare, and to die for you. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.440 I don't know about you. 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:21.279 But there's, I guarantee you you could count on one hand how many people you're willing to do that for. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:25.360 Probably can maybe get two fingers up. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:28.000 Your wife, your children? 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.000 Hello. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:32.240 Then where are you going with it? 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.159 Think about that. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.200 Think about that. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.399 That's true. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:38.159 Biblical friendship. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:42.799 This is exactly the type of friendship that Jesus is speaking about right here. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:50.799 Are you willing to do whatever it takes to bring a blessing and building up your friends? 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.840 Are you? 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:55.120 Are you willing to do, dare, or possibly even die? 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.399 Wow. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:15:00.799 In fact, this was what the Lord set forth. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:06.799 And listen to what John said in 1 John 3, verse 16. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.320 Here's what he said. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:11.200 Hereby perceive we the love of God. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.080 Now watch this. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.279 Here's the love of God. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:18.399 Because he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:20.240 1 John 3.16. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:32.159 Friendship is not a matter of sentiment, or should I say, not sentiment, as much as sentimental feelings or sentimental or emotional infatuation. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.440 No, that's not what it is. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.679 It is sacrificial and practical. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:51.519 Listen to what else in that first same chapter, 1 John 3.15, I mean, 1 John 3.16, when he says we ought to lay down our life for our brothers, then he goes on and he says in 1 John 3.18, and I love this, it's one of my favorite verses, and I memorized it years ago. 00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:59.279 He says, My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:03.840 In other words, don't tell me you love me, show me you love me. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:11.200 True biblical spiritual sacrificial love is seen in actions, not words. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:15.600 Now, we still like the words, but it's actions. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:19.279 Your actions have to back up your words. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.679 Let me share with you. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:30.720 In fact, our whole fundamental purpose at this church, our vision statement, our verse is Luke 10, 27. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:39.840 And here's what it says: it says, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and remember what we said about David and Jonathan? 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:42.639 Their souls were knitted together. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.799 Now watch. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:55.360 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all the heart, with all the soul, with all thy might, with all thy strength, hey, with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as ourself. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.480 So there it is. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.879 That's what this whole church is built on. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.159 Brotherly love. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:05.359 It's built on brotherly kindness, brotherly acceptedness. 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.920 It's unbelievable. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.799 That's who we are. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.599 And you know what? 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:17.759 I thought about that, and I wished I'd thought about it when I was doing the outline, but you may want to jot this down. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.200 This is free. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.400 This is extra. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:29.680 What is this kind of brotherly love, this friendship, this living out our everyday Christianity? 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.200 I looked up the word and I did a word. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.559 I love word studies. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:34.640 I want to give you five things. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:40.000 First of all, this brotherly love, this friendship is number one, impartial. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.359 It's impartial. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:44.799 Listen to what Deuteronomy 10, 9 says. 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:47.279 Love ye, therefore, the stranger. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:49.200 Love the stranger. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:52.880 This love extends to anybody, everybody. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:18:00.240 Doesn't matter what color, race, doesn't matter what nationality, doesn't matter, hey, what social class. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.400 It's impartial. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.680 True brother. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:07.519 Aren't you glad Jesus Christ died for whosoever? 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.599 Whosoever. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:17.039 Secondly, not only is it impartial, it's unselfish. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:20.799 Listen to what Matthew 22, 39 says. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:29.440 Love, and I just quoted Luke 10, 27, love thy neighbor as thyself. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:32.240 I mean, it's unselfish. 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:36.559 Number three, it's proof of discipleship. 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:40.160 It's proof that you really are a Christian. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:45.039 Jesus said, by this kind of love you shall know that they are my disciples. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:47.119 John 13, 35. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:51.920 And then it's number four, sincere. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.920 It's real. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:19:00.079 Let love, he says in Romans 12, 9, be without disguise. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.599 It's sincere. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.400 You know what? 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:06.160 You can put on a show for a little bit. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.920 Oh, I love you. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.720 Then you go out and criticize them. 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:13.680 Or you go out and uh you talk about them. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.759 That's not love, folks. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:22.640 Love, hey, love, brotherly love, and true friendship, remember what we said? 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:26.160 It's to build them up, to honor them, to perfect them. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:30.880 That means you go out of your way to find out how you can be a blessing to them. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:34.880 It's awful quiet in here because one, nobody's here. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:38.240 But it's awful quiet because what? 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.680 That hurts me. 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:45.200 Do I constantly go out of my way to be a blessing to my wife, to build her up? 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.039 That's what we're talking about. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.920 Powerful. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:56.640 And then number five, this kind of friendship, this true brotherly love abounds. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:20:02.240 I mean, you you can't wait to be a blessing, to help people, to build people up. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:05.359 Listen to what 1 Thessalonians 3.12 says. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.359 And the Lord make you to increase. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.000 Now watch. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:16.079 And abound in love, one toward another and toward all men, even as we do toward you. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:21.599 And Christ says, even as I abound my love toward you, you do to others. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.119 Isn't that great? 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:25.200 That's a true friend. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.599 That's a true friend. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:31.920 So, number one, that's the basis of this friendship. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:34.559 Let's look at the second thing this morning. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:40.160 The second principle, the bond of Christian fellowship. 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:43.359 Let's look at the bond of Christian fellowship. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.039 Verse 14. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:49.519 You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you, Jesus said. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:55.759 Jesus here states that the bond which cements true friendship is threefold. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.319 Ready? 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:58.559 This is this is power. 00:20:58.720 --> 00:21:01.119 This is worth you listening this morning. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:08.319 Here's what really bounds together, knits together a true friend. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.119 Right here. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.880 This is the meat of the message. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:13.680 Number one Christian unity. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.200 Christian unity. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:18.000 Notice verse 14, you are my friends. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:20.960 And we already talked about how important that word friend is. 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:30.000 It is important to remember that the master was addressing these words, watch, to the eleven in the upper room. 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.319 He was not talking to Judas. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:35.039 Judas had already left the room. 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:38.559 And what I see here is very important. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:42.480 Judas the traitor had gone out into the night. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:50.480 Jesus could not say of him, he could not say of Judas that he was his friend. 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:53.839 Is that not convicting? 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:58.559 And here's what I asked my question the question I asked myself. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.720 Jesus? 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:06.240 You consider me your friend? 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.680 Think on that. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:18.400 Does Jesus consider you as his friend? 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.759 Wow. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:26.960 Well, first of all, you can't be his friend if you do not know him. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.880 I didn't say know of him. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:31.039 I said know him. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:34.559 Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:38.400 No man can come unto the Father except through him. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:41.200 Neither is there salvation in any other. 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:45.119 You can't know that kind of love and that kind of friend. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:49.119 You can't be that kind of friend to Jesus if you don't know him personally. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:55.759 Has there ever been a time that you've asked Jesus to come into your heart and he literally changed your life? 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.680 That's the key. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:03.759 And then I begin to look when Jesus could not say my friend. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:11.839 And in the sense in which he could apply it to the others, for friendship involves and implies unity. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.319 Listen to what Paul says about this unity. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.599 Boy, this is good. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.480 What's this? 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.920 This is so good. 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:26.000 Endeavoring, and I think we have this verse up there, Ephesians 4.3, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.599 Listen to what he said. 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:32.480 And he further carries on and reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6.17. 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.200 What's this? 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:36.799 He that is joined, and that word joined means knitted together. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:40.000 He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.880 One spirit. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:46.240 Therefore, a prerequisite. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:50.160 For true Christian friendship is unity in the Lord. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.160 By one spirit. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.920 You know what that means? 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:57.359 That we as Christians agree in heart. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.079 Listen to what Paul said in Philippians 1.27. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.680 Oh boy, this is so good. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.160 You stand fast in one spirit. 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.200 All right, what's this? 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.720 Stand fast in one spirit. 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.839 You know what that means? 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.720 You're together. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.000 You're knitted together. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.519 That's what one spirit means. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:15.359 And then he goes on and he says, with one mind, what does that mean? 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:19.359 That we have, hey, the same basic principles. 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:25.119 You know what happens a lot of times we disagree with preferences instead of principles. 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:28.319 I can disagree with you in preferences. 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:33.200 My wife and I disagree, and y'all know how much I'm madly in love with my wife. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.119 38 wonderful years. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.279 I mean, she's my best friend. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:42.559 But we differ in preferences all the time. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:49.599 If I think of a piece of furniture, if I like furniture bold, aggressive. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.960 You know what? 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:55.920 She likes flowers and paisleys and all that stuff. 00:24:56.079 --> 00:25:00.559 I meant, I know if I'm gonna like something, I know she's not gonna like it. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:04.720 And I know if she's gonna like something, she knows I'm not gonna like it. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:14.799 But we've learned because of our friendship and our our hearts are knit together, we don't allow our preferences to destroy our relationship. 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.319 Can I get an amen? 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.640 Is that not good, folks? 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.599 Come on. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:28.799 But there's basic biblical principles that I cannot waver on, unwavering. 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:36.720 And that is Jesus is the only way, and that the Bible is the truth, nothing but the truth, the whole truth. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.559 So help me, God. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.839 You can't waver from this Bible. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:49.759 And that's why in all the political arena, when people ask me, who are you gonna vote for, I say, I'm voting for Jesus. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:52.720 And what that means is biblical principles. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:55.839 I vote for a, by the way, I believe in voting. 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:58.400 If you don't vote, don't you criticize the system? 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:01.920 But you vote on biblical principles. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.160 What the Word of God says. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.440 That's what you vote. 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:09.680 That's what I've I've done it for all my life, all my Christian life. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:14.400 So, here we see how important this is right here. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.920 Unity in the Lord. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:21.759 Hey, the wonder of Christian friendship, and listen to how I fell down. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.559 I hit it too hard. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.720 Hey, listen to what Amos said. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.440 This is powerful. 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:29.680 Amos 3.3 said this. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:35.680 How can you live together if you do not agree? 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:36.799 Amen. 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:41.519 And what he's talking about, not on preferences, but on the biblical principles. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:45.599 How can you live if you don't live a righteous life? 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.559 Amen? 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.680 Amen? 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.720 Man, that's good. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:51.200