THE TEST OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
Friends Pt 4 John 12-13
Integrity Church Todd Felkel 2.20.11
Write the initials of someone you would like to connect with or reconnect with.
2. They determine our success.
3. They determine our character.
4. They determine our eternity.
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
How To Love As Jesus Loved
Jesus loved and served his friends even in spite of…
1. Circumstances
John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
John 13:1 …Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love
2. Dirt
John 13:8, 10 Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” …A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean…
3. Power and Position
John 13:13-15 “You call me ‘Teacher and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
4. Betrayal
John 13:21 Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is gong to betray me.”
5. Denial and Broken Promises
John 13:37-38 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
Matthew 5:43-45 (New Living Translation)
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[a] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![b] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.