Song – I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus

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Song – I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: John 15:13-15


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SERMONS FROM SONGS

Tonight, being a fifth Sunday, we want to address a song that we sing from time to time.  This song was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr (1856-1922) in 1922, and put to music by John Wesley Dennis (1866-1947).   Oatman was a prolific song writer with over 3000 hymns including “Count Your Blessings”, “Higher Ground”, “The Last Mile of the Way”, “No Not One”, etc. The tune was composed by Dennis, a member of the Lord’s church raised in Missouri.  Wesley taught singing throughout his life.  In 1922, he contacted Oatman asking for some of his poems for his students to put to music.  One of the poems was our hymn (Oatman would die later that year).  Reading the poem, Dennis decided to put it to music himself.  In 1924 it was published.

The premise of this hymn is a reminder of how our relationship with Jesus ought to be like that of a friend.

  1. 1 – When Jesus was forsaken by His disciples
    1. They tried my Lord and Master –
      1. Defining who He is to us. The premise of our relationship is the understanding that He is Lord.  To be Lord means He has authority over us, as a ruler.  Romans 10:9-10 reminds us that a part of the process leading to salvation is to confess Him as Lord.  1 Corinthians 8:5-6, For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
      2. His trial is recorded in all 4 gospels. Mark 14:53 records that they led Jesus away to the High Priest.  It was unethical and illegal, and driven by pure hatred and evil.  It was also a part of the process of suffering He endures.  1 Peter 2:21-24.
    2. With no one to defend – Jesus was left alone. Recall how all forsook Him – Matthew 26:56. This included Peter, who hours earlier had declared he would never deny Him, but He did! Matthew 26:58 noted that he followed Jesus at a distance and then he would deny Him 3 times.
    3. Within the halls of Pilate – John 19:12-16, this is where He would ultimately be condemned to Roman execution by crucifixion.
    4. He stood without a friend – again, he was physically alone and being abused. Luke 22:63-65 records His abuse among the Jews.  Mark 15:15-20 describes how the Roman soldiers mocked Him and beat Him. He was alone.
  2. Chorus – I’ll be a friend to Jesus.
    1. I’ll be a friend to Jesus –
      1. Consider the friendship of Jesus – e.g., John 15:13-15. Speaking to His apostles, Jesus noted what He was willing to do for us.  He also noted, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.”   We need to appreciate the closeness of the relationship Jesus is seeking
      2. Am I willing to be His friend? This is about a close relationship with Him.  Not materialistic, but just as strong.
    2. My life for Him I’ll spend – a life dedicated to being His disciple.
      1. Mark 8:34-38 reminds us that we must deny self, take up our cross and follow Him. We CANNOT be ashamed of Him (vs. 38).
      2. One of the reasons I chose this song is because it goes along with our current Bible class study – Portraits of Discipleship. We have learned that being a disciple is about total commitment to Him.  He becomes the focus behind everything we say and do, where we go, who we associate with, etc.  Paul emphasized this in Philippians 3:8-11.  That is our goal.  Romans 12:1-2 calls for us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him.
    3. Until my years shall end – faithful until death. Be reminded that this “race” is not a sprint, but a marathon. Revelation 2:10, 14:13. Romans 14:7-8, For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  Many passages warn about what happens if we quit – I’ll mention Hebrews 10:35-39 – do not cast away your confidence… the just live by faith, but if anyone draws back…
  3. 2 – Even if the world turns against Him
    1. The world may turn against Him – sadly, most have.
      1. Even during the days of Jesus, he only convinced the few. He described that early on in Matthew 7:13-14.  Matthew 22:14, For many are called, but few are chosen.   Consider that while 3000 obeyed the gospel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41), Jerusalem had an exponentially larger gathering there.  Furthermore, we know the leaders, both Jewish and Roman turned against Him at that time. John 1:11 – He came to His own and His own did not receive Him.
      2. Is today any different? There are continued efforts to remove every mention of Him in society. We are more secular and hedonistic now.  There is increasing hostility against the genuine faith espoused in scripture.
      3. Truly, the world may turn against Him, but what about you?
    2. I’ll love Him to the end – see message from the chorus for the duration of our faith. We need to remain faithful even if no one else will be.  That requires a mindset.  Of course, this phrase also reminds us that we will love Him.  1 John 4:19 – we love Him because He first loved us.  AND that love means that we will submit to Him – 1 John 5:2-3.  More with vs. 3.
    3. And while on earth I’m living, My Lord shall have a friend – no matter what others say or do, I will not forsake Him. Again, I appeal to the example of Paul.  With everything he endured and gave up (cf. Philippians 3:3-7, 2 Corinthians 11:22-33; 4:7-12, etc.), he NEVER denied His Lord.
  4. 3 – I will prove my friendship through loyalty
    1. I’ll do what He may bid me – the first step to being a friend of Jesus is to obey him. Luke 6:46, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”  John 14:15 – If you love me, keep My commandments.  Recall John 15:14, You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
    2. I’ll go where He may send – Not everyone can carry the gospel to foreign lands. But we all go places.  And wherever we go, do we take the name of Jesus with us?  ALSO: We cannot retire from serving Him!  As long as we have breath on earth, we must continue to serve Him and let our lights shine.  More in the final verse!
    3. I’ll try each flying moment to prove that I’m His friend – my quest is about giving Him every moment of my time (while we live our lives, we NEVER do that which brings dishonor to Him), living in such a way that He will know that I am His disciple. This expression is related to Ephesians 5:15-16 which speaks of redeeming the time because the days are evil. What are you choosing to do with your time?  NOTE: Everything we do ought to be about honoring Him in one way or another!  That is only possible if we avoid every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
  5. 4 – I will recommend Him to others
    1. To all who need a Savior – Who doesn’t need one?
      1. Acts 4:12 reminds us that there is only one TRUE Savior – Jesus. John 14:6.
      2. We know this to be true, but in reality far too many rely upon other perceived saviors – themselves, false prophets past & present, their material resources, their friends or others, or maybe their government.
      3. But the world NEEDS Jesus. He is the answer to a better now and eternal hope.
      4. BUT, as we interact with society, what do we primarily see? Do we see business opportunities, family, etc. OR do we see a soul that needs Jesus?  2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
    2. My friend I’ll recommend – we cannot keep our faith to ourselves.
      1. 1 Peter 3:15, we give a defense for the hope that is in us. Matthew 5:13-16 – we act as salt and light so that others might glorify Him.
      2. During His life, many who interacted with Jesus, especially after He healed them, could not keep it to themselves. In Mark 5:17 Jesus tells to men delivered from demons to go and tell them about what He had done.  Even when he told a healed leper to “tell no one” except to go to a priest, we find he went telling everyone (Mark 1:40-45).  The man born blind who received his sight from the Lord wanted to know Him (John 9:24-38) and openly defended Him, even before critics.
      3. We must resolve that we will NEVER forsake our Lord, no matter what. Philippians 1:21.
    3. Because He brought salvation, is why I am His friend –
      1. My eternal destiny is what my relationship with Him is about. John 3:16-17 – He was sent to save the world.  Ephesians 1:7, it is in Him that we have redemption through His blood.
      2. In the end, when I consider what I am and what He has done for me, is there anything that He demands that is too much? Romans 5:8.

And thus we can see the message of another song we sing from time to time.   This is a song of commitment.  Consider Titus 2:11-14 as a summary of the overall message of this song.

I close with this thought: As we sing these words, are we different than Peter was on that night when Jesus was betrayed?  It is easy to affirm that we are, especially when we are not facing consequences for our faith.  May we be humble enough to know that we are frail humans and resolve to always be a friend to Him, even as He is a friend to us.  Think about it!

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