Who Jesus Calls Friend

Who does Jesus Calls Friends?

"You are my friends if you do what I command."

(John 15:14 NIV)

 

         Jesus does not call just anyone friends. Jesus says, "You are my friend if you do what I command." Jesus specifies what it means to be his friend in the obedience to him.  Jesus as Lord could exercise Lord and servant role, but Jesus desires to share with his followers. When we fail to obey we are betraying Jesus friendship.

What is Jesus commanding for you to do in your life that you are struggling to do? Why is this an issue? Jesus will not ask you to do anything that will harm you in your life. Jesus has come to so us the way to life and life eternal by dying to the world and living for him. Friendship with Jesus will cost you, but Jesus shows us how it is all worth it.

         Jesus shows us that friendship involves sacrifice, humility, forgiveness and love. Those are just to a few characteristics of friendship. Jesus showed this and more by forgiving us our sins, the humility in washing feet, the sacrifice of his life all because he loves us so.

         What greater love is there, than Jesus laying his life down for you so that you may have eternal life. What greater friend is there than Jesus who represents you before the father? There is no greater love than the love of Jesus Christ who commands our life and by our obedience we are qualified as friends.

Ties that Bind

 

Col 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 

Love will bind and keep unity and harmony. Above all use love to lead in showing forgiveness. This will show Christ ruling in your heart that in daily task love is shown first. Jesus said, "John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35 NAS95S).

 Let love be the center point in your relationships and all that you do. Let love be that compass that guides your decisions and points you in that right direction. God's love toward us is that great that he daily shows it to us and He has commanded us to do the same to others.  Follow Jesus lead and show love.

 Prayer:

     Lord, purify my heart and show me how to love more in my life. I want to be more forgiven and patient with all that I meet. No more excuses but it is time for me to make that change and show my love to you how I love your world you made. Amen. 

"Building a Better Community"

Zion Baptist Church

323 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr

Peoria, Il 61605

wk: (309) 676 4828

fax: (309) 676-8195

zionbcpeoria.com

Live Sermons

Meeting Jesus

"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."" (Luke 19:5 NIV-G/K)

 

You may have met a teacher, a relative, friend or even a stranger that changed your life. You have come into contact with some people who have in turn left an impact in your life. You may have told your closest friends about this person and now they would like to meet this person that changed your life.

You can do that now. You can introduce someone to Jesus. Did he change your life? He changed Zacchaeus life. This is what happens when Jesus found it necessary to stay in Zacchaeus house. Zacchaeus went on to correct his wrongs and made them right. He repented when he accepted Jesus into his life. Just like Zacchaeus you too can change. Allow Jesus to come into your life and live with a clean heart.

Living with a clean heart is to actively seek Jesus every day. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem passing through Jericho and Zacchaeus wanted to see him. He climbed a sycamore just to see Jesus. Just seeing Jesus put him in the place to welcome Jesus. Everyday make an effort to see Jesus and welcome him into your house. See how your life will change. Make haste and let Jesus come live in your heart. 

zionbcpeoria.com

Live Sermons

BE CLEAN INSIDE

Luke 11:39 ¶ Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ~NIV

 

Clean on the outside but dirty on the inside. The saying goes that beauty is skin deep but ugly is to the bone. Society pushes image and how you dress because to show your social status and the appearance of being well in life. You can wash up real good and put on expensive clothes but this only covers up what is truly inside. That is why Jesus teaches, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (see Luke 12:34)."  Do you treasure you money, status and appearance more than integrity, the love of God and his commandments? Have you allowed material wealth drowned you in debt looking for God to redeem you? Living in this bondage of this material world is a life of hardship. Jesus has come to set you free of the chains of this world in living for him. Who the Son sets free is free indeed (see John 8:36). Be free of trying to impress others and just serve God and see how peace will fill you up and want will not be an issue but you learn how to be content with God.

 

Open up your heart to God and allow him to deal with the issues inside. Do not try to cover them up or even drown them out with drug and alcohol abuse. Do not attempt to mask the problem but do unmask and expose yourself to be changed. Jesus wants your full devotion and life. Give it all to him by releasing your pride and embracing humility. Be willing to confess where you fall short and stop trying to cover this all up. God knows all and sees all. Come to Jesus and let him clean you from the inside out.  

Trust In Me

 John 14:1  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (italics mine NIV).

 

We too can find comfort in these comforting words from Jesus to his disciples. Jesus tells them to place their trust in him saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled". Understand that your trust is only as good as whom or what you place your trust.

 

Trust issues come up when the source you trust in is not a trustworthy source. Your trust is not in question but the source is in question. For example you desire food from a vending machine. You trust that the vending machine will give you what you pay for and you will be satisfied. When the vending machine does not give you what you have paid for you are not satisfied. You may actually be troubled. The machine shows itself to be untrustworthy, not you. Your trust was right but misplaced in a machine that is not consistent and not trustworthy.

 

God on the other hand has shown himself to be true, faithful and trustworthy. Also Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and his exact representation of his appearance (see Hebrews 1:3). Therefore put your trust in Jesus and his commandments and teachings. See how trusting God to guide your life will be better for you and your hearts will not be troubled. Trust in God is like an investment with a guarantee return of profit. Trusting in Jesus is the same. Trusting in Jesus as God's provision for the worlds Sins.

  

Gain comfort in Trusting in Jesus now and have peace in your heart knowing that God can supply your every need all through Christ Jesus.

Reflect

Take Time to Reflect…

2Sam. 7:18 ¶ Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: ¶ "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

How you see yourself in comparison to how God sees you? Do you see yourself the same God does? Or do you see yourself differently?

David desired to honor God by building God a house. God desired to eternally bless David's house. David was looking to do something to honor God because of what God was doing for him. God wanted to bless David not just for today but also for eternity. God saw David for he was and who he can be. God can see above and beyond the time of today.

David reflects and sees he is not truly deserving of the blessing God is giving him. How worthy are you? Where are you in showing your gratitude to God who is blessing you? God is willing to bless us with eternal blessings even knowing of the trials we are soon to face. Just as David had his struggles with God forgave him. God will see us, for who we are, and will give us exactly what we need and more.

Take the time in your life to pray to God a prayer of thanksgiving as David and thank God for how he has brought you this far and how God will see you through. The loving God who knows who you are and loves you as you are.

Rewarder

Eph. 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, Eph. 6:8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

 

Deut. 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

 

 

No matter your ethnic status, social class or political affiliation God will reward those who do his will. God does not show partiality and is not pleased with you doing well for only others to see. The reason why is God sees you in the dark as well as the light. Know that God is light and in Him there is no darkness (see 1 John 1:15). So whatever you do and wherever you do it God sees you.

 

Yes, you may be able to fool others but God will not be mocked. Galatians 6:7 NIV says "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." The result of your actions will produce fruit whether you like it or not.  It is better to do the work of the Lord and receive is good and great blessings. For God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is great, mighty and awesome.

 

Take this time to repent of your wrong ways and turn in obedience to God. See how God as your Lord and Master is the great "rewarder" of those who seek his will. That is why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exist and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."