May 11, 2025

John 15:12-17

The Measure of a True Friend

1. It’s About to Get Real (vs. 12, 13)

A. His Command (v. 12)

John 13:34-35

Mark 12:28-31

1 John 3:16

B. Greater Love (v. 13)

Matthew 26:25-54

Matthew 5:43-47

Romans 5:8

2. Our Promotion (vs. 14, 15)

A. Friend (v. 14)

“God’s love tells us that He is friendly and His Word assures us that He is our friend and wants us to be His friends. No man with a trace of humility would first think that he is a friend of God; but the idea did not originate with men. Abraham would never have said, ‘I am God’s friend’, but God Himself said that Abraham was His friend. The disciples might well have hesitated to claim friendship with Christ, but Christ said to them ‘Ye are my friends.’ Modesty may demur at so rash a thought, but audacious faith dares to believe the Word and claim friendship with God. We do God more honor by believing what He has said about Himself and having the courage to come boldly to the throne of grace than by hiding in self-conscious humility among the trees of the garden.”
AW Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

2 Chronicles 20:7

James 2:22-23

B. Parameters Around Friendship (v. 14)

1 John 5:3

C. No Longer Slaves (v. 15)

John 8:31-36

Ephesians 2:13

3. Relationship with a Purpose (vs. 16, 17)

A. Christ’s Initiative (v. 16a)

John 16:7-11

B. The Purpose (v. 16b)

Bear fruit.

Genesis 12:2-3

John 15:1-11

John 15:9-11

Experiencing the fullness of His joy.

Asking for whatever…

John 14:12-14

C. The Holy Result (v. 17)

John 13:34

1 John 4:10-12

Romans 12:9-10

Reflection:

Who has shown you sacrificial love in your life?

To whom have you shown sacrificial love?

How has that friendship grown as a result?

Follow UP in the Word through the Week…

Monday:

Read: John 13:34-35

How do you see this truth of Scripture working out in real life? How would you like to see this work out in your own life?

Tuesday:

Read: Mark 12:28-31

How does Jesus’ response to the question 17 communicates? How do you view reveal what John 15:12‘commandments’?

Wednesday:

Read: John 8:31-36

What is the ‘truth’ that Jesus speaks of here? What is the freedom that it gives to those who ‘know’ it?

Thursday:

Read: John 14:12-14

How would you explain this verse to someone else? What is the ‘whatever’ in these verses and how do you apply this to your prayer life?

Friday:

Read: 1 John 4:10-12

How has love been shown to us and how are we to show love? How have you experienced this truth in your life and in what ways would you like to see it be reality in the future in your relationships?

Saturday:

Read: Romans 12:9-10

For whom do you have ‘genuine’ love? The commands of verse 10 show an expanding affection that becomes more public. How do you want to see God accomplish this through you?