15:9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15:15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
15:16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.
15:17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Sermon
I would like to ask you a question is:
“What is the finest gift that you could give to someone?
Would it be money or possessions?”
One wise person answers
They believe the finest gift
that we can give to another person
is our friendship.
———–
Many leading authorities in Canadian life
tell us the biggest social problem today
is loneliness.
We live among many people,
but many live as strangers.
How often have we heard about people
being in trouble and needing help,
only to see another person pass by
on the other side of the street?
Many do not want to be involved
so they close the doors of their hearts to people.
We forget that friends are our richest possessions.
What would life be like without friends?
=
Our Gospel reading today speaks of friendship.
On the eve of his crucifixion,
Jesus met with his disciples in the Upper Room.
That night
Jesus said,
“You are my friends …
No longer do I call you servants,
but I have called you friends …”
==
So, Let us look this morning at friendship.
There are many definitions of the word “friend.”
It means one who is in a warm personal relationship
with another person.
It means a person
who is ready to assist you.
Many years ago an English periodical
had a contest.
They offered a prize to the person
submitting the best definition of the word “friend.”
Think of it, what would you say
Is a definition of friend.
Here are a few of the definitions
which were sent to the publication:
“One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is unbreakable.”
“One who understands our silence..”
And here is the definition that won first prize:
“A friend is the one who comes in
when the whole world has gone out.”
Many years ago, a father told his son
that the most valuable thing anyone can have
is to have a friend.
But then he added
that in order to have a friend,
you must be a friend.
Those are some definitions of friend…
what would you answer.
===
Now,
Jesus idea of being friend
May have been inspired by the kings
Of his day.
In the day
The friends of the king were those
who had the closest
and the most intimate connection with him.
Those friends
had the right to come to him at any time.
That’s the privilege we have with God.”
==
You and I have a friend.
A beautiful,
loving friend who has worked it out for us
to be God’s friends.
After we are told God is our friend,
Suddenly
We don’t have to see our God
as way off in the sky on a cloud
demanding that we do good work for him.
Instead, we are close, intimate friends
of his who can go right into his presence
without fear.
That is like us and our Lord.
===
Also, we are on God’s team
making the world a place of love.
Now,
Who doesn’t remember choosing teams in school.
Whether you were first pick or not,
good news today.
The text for today
assures us who serve God,
God has chosen us.
WE are told
God chooses us for joy.
Jesus says
“I have said these things to you
so that my joy may be in you
To be dedicated toward a cause
to pour yourself into it
can indeed fill your life with joy of purpose.
WE have been chosen to be part of a team,
That gives us the joy of purpose.
The earliest Christians were joyous people
in spite of all the struggle
and trouble they knew...
They caught the infection
of that joy from our Lord.
With his faultless conscience,
his closeness with God,
his perfect trust in God,
his unselfish spending of himself for others,
Christ must have been joy filled
inspite of his troubles.
Christ blesses us with Joy.
God Chooses Us For Love
According to the reading
Not only are we chosen for joy,
but we are also chosen for love.
“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.”
We are sent out into the world to love one another.
Celsus, critic of early Christians, said:
“These Christians love each other
even before they are acquainted.”
The church through out the world
Where ever we go there is family
provided by God.
==
Likewise
When a Mason meets another Mason for the first time,
They know that the other person believes in God,
that he therefore believes that all men are brothers,
and that as a result he must be kind to other persons
and help them in every possible way.
For one who travels extensively,
friendship manifests itself time and again.
When you meet another Mason
you always feel a kinship with him.
You always find the door open
with a welcome sign.
This can be valuable if you are in a strange place.
You could say the same
of Church through out the world.
In the reading we are told:
Christ Chooses Us To Be His Friends.
==
We have a friend who loves us,
encourages us, strengthens us,
and draws forth from us our best qualities.
When Jesus Christ calls us friends,
he wants us to respond
and be his friend.
Friendship is two-sided,.
===
Part of friendship is allowing our friends to help us.
Nothing is more frustrating
than wanting to help a friend
when they refuses to accept our help.
David Mcloud, asked if the Masons are also about friendship
Shared this:
It could be about our church too.
Masonry is definitely about friendship and fellowship,
and at the same time it is an opportunity to serve our community.
Today I was at a volunteer luncheon with 33 members of the London Valley Consistory Club –
we loan mobility aids and medical equipment out,
free of charge, to anyone who requires it.
It is a lot of work,
and a very important service
as this equipment can be very expensive,
and often is needed by people who can’t always afford it.
Our guys do the work cheerfully,
and so many of the people who visit the Consistory Club
remark on how much fun the guys obviously have.
We are truly blessed to be able to help!
It is as our reading says:
Jesus gives chooses us for the Team.
We are given Joy Love
And friendship.
With these we change the world.
Hymn: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; 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.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
God invites us to bring our doubts and fears,
our joys and concerns, our petitions and praise,
and offer them for the earth and all its creatures.
Prayers: Linda (Deb Mc.); Christine A.; Bob H.; Dori; Garfield; Eunice S.; Connie C.; (Church)Suzanne (Ron and Jan);Gloria A. (Carol); Belinda,; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori); Kenny; Jim T.; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Gord T.;Amy W. ;Yvonne;Maryanne;Gus; Jay P.;; Rick W.;.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Jeff B.; (Sandra); Mike J.; Scott H.; Lisa (Keeling), Wendy;Eric P,; Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam .; Janice & Darrin R; Roland; .(Suzie D.)
Receive these prayers, O God,
and transform us through them,
that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand
not only what you do on our behalf,
but what you call us to do
so that your realm will come to fruition in glory. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer based on Scripture:
Faithful God,
make our hearts bold with love for one another.
Pour out your Spirit upon all people,
that we may live your justice
and sing in praise
the new song of your marvelous victory. Amen.
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
