What A Friend We Have in JESUS
Notes
Transcript
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 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.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
17 This is my command: Love each other.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus is a hymn originally written by the late Rev, Joseph M. Scriven.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus is a hymn originally written by the late Rev, Joseph M. Scriven.
He wrote this most popular hymn as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother.
He wrote this most popular hymn as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother.
It wasn’t until 1870 that someone combined the lyrics with a tune that would transform the faith and fortitude of believers across the length and breath of this country.
It wasn’t until 1870 that someone combined the lyrics with a tune that would transform the faith and fortitude of believers across the length and breath of this country.
THE LYRICS BEGIN WITH:
THE LYRICS BEGIN WITH:
“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer”
“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer”
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer”
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer”
My favorite verse in the hymn is where Scrivens ask a question to the reader or the psalmist, when he said:
My favorite verse in the hymn is where Scrivens ask a question to the reader or the psalmist, when he said:
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer.
I know I’m not the only one in here today that can say with assurance that JESUS has been a faithful and trust worthy friend;
I know I’m not the only one in here today that can say with assurance that JESUS has been a faithful and trust worthy friend;
HE’S ALWAYS THERE
HE’S ALWAYS THERE
HE’S NEVER TO BUSY
HE’S NEVER TO BUSY
HE’S RIGHT ON TIME
HE’S RIGHT ON TIME
HE’S ROCKED YOU IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
HE’S ROCKED YOU IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
AND HE KEEPS ON MAKING AWAY OUT OF KNOW WAY!!!!
AND HE KEEPS ON MAKING AWAY OUT OF KNOW WAY!!!!
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!!!!
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS!!!!
This 15th Chapter of John does not only deal with relationships between believers but it also shines sermonic spotlight on our relationship with JESUS!!
Here in the text Jesus mentions 4 things as it relates to being recognized as his friend!
1. The Condition of Friendship “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (v. 14).
1. The Condition of Friendship “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (v. 14).
The Gospel according to John (King James Version) K. The Relationship of Believers to Believers, 15:12–17
A person has to know and do His commandments in order to be a friend of His. The implication is clear: there is no way to be His friend apart from knowing what He says. It is His Word that tells men about Him.
2. The Privilege of Friendship “… For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (v. 15).
2. The Privilege of Friendship “… For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (v. 15).
Jesus Christ revealed and made known exactly what God told Him. It is the Word of God that gives birth and structure to the bond of “friends.” The friends of Christ are built upon and centered around the Word of God
“I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.… When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (Jn. 8:26, 28).
“I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.… When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (Jn. 8:26, 28).
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (Jn. 12:49–50).
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (Jn. 12:49–50).
3. The Purpose of Friendship” That ye should go and bring forth fruit” (v. 16).
3. The Purpose of Friendship” That ye should go and bring forth fruit” (v. 16).
BEAR: “Pheros” = Bring, carry, lead..
BEAR: “Pheros” = Bring, carry, lead..
FRUIT: “Karpos” = of the trees, vines, or in the field.
FRUIT: “Karpos” = of the trees, vines, or in the field.
There are four stages of fruit-bearing given:
There are four stages of fruit-bearing given:
(1) no fruit (v.2),
(1) no fruit (v.2),
(2) fruit (v.2),
(2) fruit (v.2),
(3) more fruit (v.2),
(3) more fruit (v.2),
(4) much fruit (vs.5, 8).
(4) much fruit (vs.5, 8).
What does it mean to say a Christian is to bear fruit? It means to bear converts!!!
What does it mean to say a Christian is to bear fruit? It means to bear converts!!!
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
4. The Obligation of Friendship “These things I command you, that ye love one another” (v. 17).
4. The Obligation of Friendship “These things I command you, that ye love one another” (v. 17).
15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.