We Can Be the Lord's Friends and Relatives (John 15:14; Mark 3:35)
Introduction:
1. In these verses Jesus mentioned 2 special groups of people, including: a. His friends b. His relatives. 2. In our lesson we are studying passages that teach us how "we can be the Lord's friends and relatives." 3. Let us begin by examining several verses that teach us . . . Discussion: I. HOW WE CAN BE THE LORD'S FRIENDS
A. The Bible shows that true friends are a special blessing. 1. (Proverbs 17:17) "A friend loveth at all times." 2. (Proverbs 18:24) "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." B. During His ministry Jesus had a number of friends. 1. We learn from Luke 8:1-3 that a number of women "ministered unto him of their substance." 2. According to John 11, Jesus was very close to Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. 3. In John 15:15 Jesus stated that the apostles were His friends. 4. These people, and many more, were blessed because they were the Lord's friends as He fulfilled His ministry. C. In John 15:13-14, Jesus showed us how we can be His friends. 1. (vs.13) Jesus touched on just how much He loves His friends. a. As a friend, He loves at all times. b. As a friend, He sticks closer than a brother. 2. (vs.14) Jesus identified His friends as those who do what He commands. a. He wants us to love Him at all times. b. He wants us to stick closer to Him than a brother. D. Perhaps these verses will help us appreciate some statements made about Abraham in James 2:21-23. E. Let us turn our attention to verses that teach us . . . II. HOW WE CAN BE THE LORD'S RELATIVES
A. Jesus came from a special family. 1. (Matthew 1) His genealogy is traced through Joseph to Abraham. 2. (Luke 3) His genealogy is traced through Mary to Adam. 3. His immediate family members are listed in Mark 6:3. B. On an earlier occasion, when the Lord's family members wanted to see Him, He identified the members of His spiritual family (Mark 3:31-35). C. Vs.35 shows us that the Lord's spiritual relatives are those who do God's will. Conclusion:
1. We appreciate our friends, and we appreciate our relatives. 2. The Bible teaches us how "we can be the Lord's friends and relatives." 3. His friends and His relatives are those who do His will.
