July 7, 2013 Sunday Sermon - Knowledge of Divine Truth

This week's message is a continuation of our study of John 15.  

A Quick Review:

• God is able to keep us from stumbling or falling.
• While God is able we have responsibilities.
• The Word, Prayer and Fellowship are essential to our response to God's promised ability.

Our responsibility involves nurturing three vital relationships:

• Jesus
• One Another
• The World

Five Characteristics of the friends of Jesus

• Love each other
• Know divine truth
• Chosen out of this world
• Bear fruit that remains
• Pray in the will of the Father

This week we took a second look at the importance and blessing we have in knowing divine truth.  Imagine trying to pursue the righteousness we are exhorted to seek without a reliable source of divine truth.  Take some time this week to meditate on the treasure you have in God's provision of divine truth.  Ultimately God's fullest expression of His Word to us is Jesus.  Jesus is God speaking to us...  His Word.  How are you responding to God's provision of divine truth?

Another crucial concept for us to grasp is Jesus' declaration that we are His friends.  How amazing.  Think about how you relate to the other friends of Jesus you know and come in contact with.   We are his friends, his body, his church, his family...  and He calls us to love one another.  The observable love we have for one another is one of God's key ways of demonstrating to the watching world his loving purpose for the whole world.  Give some thought to how you are relating to the other friends of Jesus in your life and neighborhood.  Consider where you might need to make some changes to more obediently follow Christ's command to love one another.

Is it possible to please and obey God as a lone ranger christian?  I'm thinking of those folks I have heard say they love Jesus but don't want anything to do with the church. I suggest a simple study of all the "one another" passages in the New Testament and then try to picture obeying those commands while not being part of a body of believers.

Please consider sharing your thoughts on anything this week's sermon prompted you to think about.  Everyone is welcome to join the conversation by adding a comment.  If you missed this week's message click here to go to our resources page and listen to the sermon.