PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 15 – April 28th to May 4th 2008.
Reading – John Chapter Ch15: verses 11 to17.

The Inner Circle?

Jesus said; “I do not call you servants any longer, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. Instead I call you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father”. John Chapter 15: verses 6 to 7. (Good News Bible)

In every group I have belonged to, there is an inner circle. In the church it is often built around leaders, age and interest groups and in golf it can be the group you always play golf with. At school I remember setting up this secret boys club where to be a member you had to receive 100 punches. Our group was never that big. It is easy to feel left out of groups such as these.

But on the positive side the inner circle often represented the heart of a group. It is what the group shares in common that bonds the group together and makes them close. In times of hardship these are our closest friends where we get our help and support. Everyone needs an inner circle to belong to.

What is amazing in our reading today is how Jesus describes our relationship to him. Jesus is our Lord, the Son of God, the King of Kings and our Great High Priest. This is just to highlight a few examples of how the bible describes Jesus. But here in our reading Jesus tells us he is our friend. A friend because Jesus has revealed the Father to us and there is now a closeness in our relationship to Jesus and the Father. There is no secret society or hidden secrets here, but a relationship built on trust and obedience. In short it is like an inner circle where openness and trust and love and support are self-evident.
I am not sure if many of us have thought about our relationship with God in this way, but this is clearly what Jesus has in mind in coming to reconcile us to God through his death and resurrection. He is our friend, a mate as we might describe him in Australia.

We are not to mistake being a part of an inner circle with Jesus and the Father for some kind of exclusive club. This is the relationship every believer has with Jesus and is something we all share together.

The good news from this is that we have come to know God in a real personal way through Jesus. God is not distant or mysterious or to be confused with who we are. Jesus is our friend, our best mate who is with us always.

If Jesus is not this for you, now is the time to acknowledge Jesus as the Lord, also making him our friend!

When I gave my life to Christ at the age of 19 his friendship was one of the powerful experiences that shaped my early growth as a Christian. I had not learnt a lot about Jesus at that stage, in terms of him being the Son of God, the Messiah and King, but I invited Jesus into my heart and he became my best friend.
This indeed is the heart of our faith, to live with God and enjoy his presence and blessings.

Prayer
Our Great and mighty God, we praise you that you desire to live with us. Thank you that Jesus has shown us what you are like and is our best friend. Amen.

Upcoming Events

Click event for more details.

Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
or email.

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