Message Notes for This Weekend
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September 13, 2026
Title: Privileges & Responsibilities
Big Idea: Every committed/covenant relationship comes with privileges & responsibilities.
Scripture Reference: John 15
Teaching Pastor: Jason Huffman, Lead Pastor
15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
When we hear & answer His word, He hears & answers us.
1. You will be heard.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Abide in His love &…
2. You will have His joy.
Joy is from a personal connection not a happy situation.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
His command is the unconditional, other centered, God honoring, sacrificial, servant-hearted love of Christ.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
From W. Wiersbe: “the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. (In John 3:29, it refers to the “best man” at a wedding.) The “friends of the king” would be close to him and know his secrets, but they would also be subject to him and have to obey his commands.”
To those who abide in His love & obey His commands…
3. You are God’s friend.
Discussion Questions
Look over these questions before your group time. Write down your answers or ideas for at least a few questions if not all. You may not get to every question during your time but speak up if you want to talk about one of them in particular. Always try to start with question #1.
1. What stood out to you and/or what do you think God might be speaking about from this message?
2. Can you think of any real-life examples where certain privileges came with specific responsibilities? How might it relate to your relationship with the Lord?
3. We know abiding in God’s word is important, but how can we know when we are not abiding in His word? See John 15:10.
4. Have you experienced joy from God in the midst of difficulties? Was this joy related to something about obedience or God’s presence or something else?
5. Can you remember a time you experienced or understood God’s unconditional, sacrificial love from someone else? Did it impact how you love others?
6. What thoughts comes to mind knowing that Jesus chose us as His friend?
Title: Privileges & Responsibilities
Big Idea: Every committed/covenant relationship comes with privileges & responsibilities.
Scripture Reference: John 15
Teaching Pastor: Jason Huffman, Lead Pastor
15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
When we hear & answer His word, He hears & answers us.
1. You will be heard.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Abide in His love &…
2. You will have His joy.
Joy is from a personal connection not a happy situation.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
His command is the unconditional, other centered, God honoring, sacrificial, servant-hearted love of Christ.
14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
From W. Wiersbe: “the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. (In John 3:29, it refers to the “best man” at a wedding.) The “friends of the king” would be close to him and know his secrets, but they would also be subject to him and have to obey his commands.”
To those who abide in His love & obey His commands…
3. You are God’s friend.
Discussion Questions
Look over these questions before your group time. Write down your answers or ideas for at least a few questions if not all. You may not get to every question during your time but speak up if you want to talk about one of them in particular. Always try to start with question #1.
1. What stood out to you and/or what do you think God might be speaking about from this message?
2. Can you think of any real-life examples where certain privileges came with specific responsibilities? How might it relate to your relationship with the Lord?
3. We know abiding in God’s word is important, but how can we know when we are not abiding in His word? See John 15:10.
4. Have you experienced joy from God in the midst of difficulties? Was this joy related to something about obedience or God’s presence or something else?
5. Can you remember a time you experienced or understood God’s unconditional, sacrificial love from someone else? Did it impact how you love others?
6. What thoughts comes to mind knowing that Jesus chose us as His friend?