Sermon Outlines - Jesus Our Glorious Friend 2-14-2010

Location: Blogs Sermon Outlines
Posted by: Pastor Van Buskirk	2/8/2010 4:03 PM
Romans 5:7 Jesus Our Glorious Friend First Century people had perhaps one or two friends. Friends were people you considered family. You would pay their debts, give them a job, take them into your house if need be. Romans 5:7 (ESV) spoke about the culture then: “One will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person [friend] one would dare even to die.” What kind of friends do people have today? Last year a burger chain tested friendships. They offered a free hamburger to anyone who would dump (de-friend) ten people on Facebook, an internet social network. They asked, “Who do you love more, your friend or [the hamburger]?” In one week before the promotion was halted, over 230,000 friends were notified via email that they had been sacrificed for hamburgers. Jesus showed that He is a glorious friend. He took His close friends (Peter, James and John) up to the top of a mountain. Luke 9:29-31 says, “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Caiaphas the high priest was planning Jesus’ departure. Jesus was to be sacrificed to appease the Romans who might feel threatened by the large crowds following Him (John 11:50). And in this way, Caiaphas hoped to preserve the nation and gather the children of God. Ironically, through the cross of Jesus, God did gather His children. Jesus showed that He is our true friend. He did not run away. He took the abuse. He took our sins and shame on Himself. When we were unfaithful, He still was faithful to His Word. Romans 5:8 (ESV) says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” “Who do you love more, Jesus or [you fill it in]?” Jesus is our glorious friend. Amen Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org
Copyright ©2010 Pastor Van Buskirk
Permalink \| Trackback