Friends

                                            John15:15
                      "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the
                        servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth
                                but I have called you friends"

          "Name droppers."  You know them.  They find a way to insert into every conversation the name of someone very famous whom they know.  The name, once dropped, causes jaws to drop.  What comes of this art of name dropping?  Those who do it believe they are enhancing their own importance by citing impressive friends.  In their own minds, they believe they are actually increasing their respect and authority.
         "I no longer call you slaves but friends.  All I have found out from my Father I have told you."  Jesus says we are free to drop His name as often as we like.  He is the most impressive friend we could brag about having, and yet we rarely bring His name up.
         Is there power in His name?  To be sure.  Which of the great social reforms have occurred without resorting to His name?  Is there authority in His name?  Certainly.  He said that to follow Him is to tread on serpents and scorpions.  Is there a constancy in His friendship?  Yes, He will never leave us or forsake us.  One of the greatest hymns of all time "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," is a reminder of His constancy.  All in all, His is one great name you can drop.  It was indeed a great day when Jesus said.  "I call you friend."

                                   May God Bless You
                                    And Your Families

                                                Minister: Robert A. Lail
                                                The Cross Life Ministry