ARE YOU A FRIEND OF GOD? (56 OF 75)
by Mike Stone
Scripture: John 15:12-17
This content is part of a series.
Are You a Friend of God? (56 of 75)
Series: The Gospel of John
Mike Stone
John 15:12-17
In the last decade it has become one of the most popular songs in the US church. It even made it into the 2008 Baptist Hymnal.
I saw a cartoon of an old lady. She was obviously dressed for church and was on the telephone. The caption read, ''It's just awful Ethel. They're putting new songs in the hymnal and old songs up on the screen. It's getting hard to remember which songs I'm supposed to be fussing about anymore.''
I'm talking about the song, ''I am a friend of God.'' We sing it here. Strangely, the song has been criticized as furthering false doctrine. According to some, being a ''friend of God'' is too irreverent. It's akin to calling God your ''buddy'' or your ''pal.''
I know there are deeper theological songs. But I also know that the Bible actually says that Abraham was called a friend of God.
And today's text is clear: it's possible to be a friend of God.
Of course, I contemplated singing that song today. Or how about:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
There's not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus, No Not One
Being a ''friend of God'' is more than a song. It's a theological possibility.
While it's possible to be God's friend, today's question is rather simple. Are you? I mean, really? Are you a friend of God?
The word ''friend'' that appears in John 15 is an interesting word. It's interesting, not because it's unique or has some deep hidden meaning. It's interesting to me because it's so common.
It's the Greek word ''philos.'' It speaks of a close, intimate relationship. It's more than an acquaintance. In fact, this word gives us our name for ''Philadelphia,'' the city of brotherly love.
In our culture we've lost the meaning of ''love'' and we've lost the meaning of ''friends.'' Perhaps it's part of the Facebook culture.
People we barely know...if we know them at all...are our Facebook friends. We don ...
Series: The Gospel of John
Mike Stone
John 15:12-17
In the last decade it has become one of the most popular songs in the US church. It even made it into the 2008 Baptist Hymnal.
I saw a cartoon of an old lady. She was obviously dressed for church and was on the telephone. The caption read, ''It's just awful Ethel. They're putting new songs in the hymnal and old songs up on the screen. It's getting hard to remember which songs I'm supposed to be fussing about anymore.''
I'm talking about the song, ''I am a friend of God.'' We sing it here. Strangely, the song has been criticized as furthering false doctrine. According to some, being a ''friend of God'' is too irreverent. It's akin to calling God your ''buddy'' or your ''pal.''
I know there are deeper theological songs. But I also know that the Bible actually says that Abraham was called a friend of God.
And today's text is clear: it's possible to be a friend of God.
Of course, I contemplated singing that song today. Or how about:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners
There's not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus, No Not One
Being a ''friend of God'' is more than a song. It's a theological possibility.
While it's possible to be God's friend, today's question is rather simple. Are you? I mean, really? Are you a friend of God?
The word ''friend'' that appears in John 15 is an interesting word. It's interesting, not because it's unique or has some deep hidden meaning. It's interesting to me because it's so common.
It's the Greek word ''philos.'' It speaks of a close, intimate relationship. It's more than an acquaintance. In fact, this word gives us our name for ''Philadelphia,'' the city of brotherly love.
In our culture we've lost the meaning of ''love'' and we've lost the meaning of ''friends.'' Perhaps it's part of the Facebook culture.
People we barely know...if we know them at all...are our Facebook friends. We don ...
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