Love Series

LOVE

In 1918, when Woodrow Wilson was President of the United States, he often traveled across the country by train. He would usually be in the last coach, and when the train came into a town he would come out onto the deck at the back and greet people. One day he was going through Billings, Montana. He went out to greet the people and a crowd came to see him. Two little brothers elbowed their way through the crowd and got right up close. One little boy had an American flag that he was waving. In an act of love, he gave it to the President. The President took that flag and the little boy was so happy. The other brother stood there upset because he had had nothing to give to the President. He thought about it for a moment, then he found a dime in his pocket. He took it out and handed it to the President. Woodrow Wilson reached down and took that dime and thanked the little boy.

A year after that Woodrow Wilson had a stoke. He retired from office in 1921 and died a few years later. After his death, his wife was going through his personal effects and she found his wallet. When she opened it up she found that dime, carefully wrapped up in a piece of paper. It was so meaningful that the President had carried that dime with him since that day, everywhere he went. It was a reminder of the day in Billings Montana when a young boy reached out in love and gave him what he had. Likewise, when we reach out in love it touches God’s heart.

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? It means loving God and loving others.

Mat 22:35-40 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

We are continuing with our series this morning called Authentic Faith. We have looked at the importance of Lordship, Repentance and Bearing Fruit. Today we are looking at another mark of what it is to be a follower of Jesus. It is love. Authentic faith means loving God and loving others.

John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

How do you know if you have authentic faith? Do you love others? Jesus said that this was the way that people would be able to tell us apart. This was an identifying feature that would be present in those who were His disciples. By THIS He said, we would be identified.

The message today is very simple to hear and even comprehend; but it is difficult to live. It is one thing to ‘say’ we love one another, but it is another thing entirely, to actually demonstrate love or practice it.

This morning I want to say 4 things about this verse we have just read;

1. We are Commanded to Love

Jesus starts by saying to His disciples “A new COMMAND I give you…” He did not say a new suggestion. Do this if you get around to it. It is a command. It is non-negotiable.

If you are in the army and your commanding officer says march, that command is not up for debate. That does not mean that you sit around considering and debating the options of whether to march or not. When he says march you march, and keep on marching until he says stop. If he says jump you say “how high.” Jesus commanded us to love one another. It is not a suggestion. It is not open for debate.

I heard the story of an older couple that was out driving. The husband came to a stop sign and slowed down but did not stop. The wife asked him “Why didn’t you stop?” The husband said, “I slowed down, that is good enough!” The next day they were out driving and the same thing happened. The husband came to a stop sign and slowed down but did not stop. The wife again asked him “Why didn’t you stop?” The husband said, “I slowed down, that is good enough!” A few days later they were out driving again. The husband came to a stop sign and slowed down but did not stop. This time the wife grabbed her purse and started beating her husband on the head with it. She said, "Since you are finding it difficult to understand the difference between stop and slow down, I am, hitting you with my purse very fast. Now do you want me to slow down or do you want me to stop?"