Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
2. Topic Introduction with headline.
3. Scripture
   1. John 15:12-17
   2. Jesus: My commandment to you is this: love others as I have loved you.  There is no greater way to love than to give your life for your friends.  You celebrate our friendship if you obey this command.  I don’t call you servants any longer; servants don’t know what the master is doing, but I have told you everything the Father has said to Me. I call you friends.  You did not choose Me. I chose you, and I orchestrated all of this so that you would be sent out and bear great and perpetual fruit. As you do this, anything you ask the Father in My name will be done.  This is My command to you: love one another.
4. Devotional
   1. Friendship day is August 6th this year. You might not even know we have a friendship day, but there is it.
      1. Jesus tells us to celebrate friendship with Him if you obey His command to love one another.
      2. That’s one real friendship is all about
      3. Love God and love each other as we love ourselves
   2. But what is friendship?
      1. The history of friendship day is a little shady, a little commercial.
      2. Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards 1930 to sell cards to send to friends
      3. Definition of friendship
         1. the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends
         2. a relationship between friends
         3. a state of mutual trust and support between allied nations
      4. Friend
         1. a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another person
         2. a person who is not an enemy
         3. a person who helps or supports something
   3. We don’t have many real friends in our society today; we live in isolation in crowded places
      1. Go to any restaurant or park or place where groups of people are gathered
      2. Watch their interactions
      3. Most are tied to their smartphones texting
      4. We isolate ourselves from each other without human touch and emotion
      5. We can avoid commitment by cutting the phone connection
   4. Jesus said no greater love than to give His life for a friend
      1. Does that mean death?
      2. In His case it did
      3. But it might mean life; servanthood; caring enough to be present in times of need
      4. Give life when life crashes in around a friend; when they need help or support for something
      5. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” as far as Euripides in 424 BC
   5. Friendship Day is not the time to celebrate friendship
      1. Today is the day
      2. Everyday is the day to celebrate friendship
      3. Be a friend
      4. Give your life to someone in need; serve with love and make a friend
      5. Jesus expected nothing in return for His friendship and says we are to be like Him
      6. Hard steps to follow but that is the command He give and it starts with love
      7. He loves us so we can love others and express genuine friendship to those around us
   6. Go celebrate a few months early
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.