The Joy Of Belonging To Jesus

A. A song ( pg. 68 ) "Count Your Many Blessings.” Did you ever take inventory of your Christianity? This
hour I want you to think about the benefits of being a Christian. I bet you could make a long list.
Sometime this week make a list of all the things that can make you appreciate your Christianity more
than ever before. And while we talk about these things I hope you will go away from here this morning
filled with joy and excitement about what you have in Jesus.
1. I want to do this by looking at the last part of Jno. 13. In Vs. 36, Jesus is talking with His disciples and tells them, “Where I am going you cannot follow." They don’t understand what Jesus is saying. They are hurt and disappointed. They’ve been with Jesus for 3 years. He has provided their every need: Fed them when they were hungry, calmed them when they were afraid, protected them from the angry Jews, comforted them with the Words of Life. They have come to depend on Jesus for everything.
a. Now He says, "I'm going away and you cannot come with me." How would that make you feel? Do you think you’d have a panic attack. What do you do if you loose your source of security, strength, your foundation? Let me ask that question this way. How think child would feel if, out of the blue, with out any warning, it lost both parents. Do you think it would be afraid and frightened? Where do I go, what do I do? That's how the apostles feel. And that is the motivation for Peter’s question in Vs. 37, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? Let me go with you and I will lay down my life for you." That’s what the apostles are feeling. Like an abandoned, helpless child, a betrayed and abandoned husband, or a wife whose husband leaves her and the children with no remorse or regret.
(A) Jesus understands their fear. Jno. 14:18, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to
you." Let me ask you another question? What would you do without Jesus? That’s the
question you need to ask yourself over and over. What would I do without Jesus? Jesus
understands that fear on the part of the apostles and He understands our fears as well. He promised not to leave them alone and He has given the same promise to you and me.
In Chapters 14-17, Jesus makes that clear. And helps us discover some of the great
benefits and blessings Jesus brings to our lives.
(1) Jno. 15:13-14, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. And you are my friends if you do what I command." What’s Jesus saying? "I will call you My friend.” Friendship is the most special relationship you can have.
How many friends do you really have? I’m not talking about acquaintances and
people you know, and who know about you. A lot of people know about me, but
not many people really know me. True friends are rare in this life. How do you
define friend? One who knows all there is to know about you and still loves you and
will stand by you through thick and thin. That’s a friend. One to whom you can
reveal your innermost thoughts, feelings and they will not betray your confidence by
telling another.
(2) Before I became a Christian I only had 1 real friend and that was Bessie. Now I have so many real friends I can’t count them all. I once heard a man say, “I can count all my friends on one hand.” How sad, how lonely. Friends are the thing life is made of. You can always count on your friends. They are the ones you can count on when you’re in need. When you are down and out they are the ones who will help you. When you need forgiveness you need to ask for it. When you ask a friend’s forgiveness they always respond with forgiveness and loving kindness understanding.
(3) But the best thing about a friend is that they will always encourage You to be the best you can be. When you’re at your best and your being successful a friend will never be jealous and afraid you will get ahead of them. They never hinder or stand in the way of your success.

(B) Jesus speaks to 12 ordinary, simple men who are devastated, and suddenly feel abandoned, and says to them, "I will be your friend. I'll talk to you, I'll be there to Help you in your time of need. And when you make a mistake I'll forgive you. I’ll encourage you. I'll be your friend." Listen to the promise of Jesus. Jno. 14:13; 15:16, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father...whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." Jno. 15:7, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." Now notice this very important promise, Jno. 16:23-24, "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be
complete."
(1) Listen to this powerful promise. Jesus said, I'm leaving and you can't come with me.
But when you find your self in need. You ask the Father and you use My name.”
Did you ever use someone else’s name to get a special privilege? I have and it’s the
most awesome experience. My friend Roger Ward (indy 500 in ‘59, ‘61). Get into
the pit area with a special pass. How? I was the guest of Roger Ward and all I had
to do was hold up my pit pass and I went anywhere I wanted. I was no body but I got
1st class treatment. Had I tried to walke in using my own name they would have
called security and thrown me out on my ear.
(2) Jesus says, "From this day on, you use My name. It will mean something special to my Father." For 100's of years men had been praying to the Father. But, never in the name of Jesus. Men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, David and others.
But, not until now did Jesus say, "Use My Name." You and I have the joy and the
privilege of asking in Jesus' name. We are special.
b. Now turn to Jno. 16:33, and Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Do you understand what Jesus is saying? “You are going to have a lot of disappointments. But don’t be discouraged. I have taken every thing the world could throw at Me and I’ve been victorious. Stick with Me and I'll make you a winner also.”
(A) In Jno. 15:13, Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Friends make ultimate sacrifice for each other. To gain a friend you have to be a friend and thus He says in Vs. 14, "You are my friends if you do what I command. "What ever you need to be Victorious, you ask My Father in My name and it will be given to you." If you are a Christian you should be excited because of all Jesus has done and will do for you. If you’re not a Christian you need to become one today. Become the friend of Jesus and leave here rejoicing in His sweet fellowship and victory over sin and death.
(B) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 08/31/03 am