Go! And Remain In His Love - John 15:10 Series

Go! And Remain in His Love - John 15:10

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, thank You for the love that never fails. Thank You for Jesus, who abides in Your love perfectly and invites us to do the same. As we open Your Word, open our hearts. Transform our minds. Lead us to deeper trust, fuller obedience, and unshakable joy in You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Introduction: The Call to Abide

John 15:10 (NLT): "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love."

These words are part of Jesus’ final teaching to His disciples before going to the cross. He’s in the Upper Room, sharing the Last Supper, comforting His friends, and preparing them for the sorrow ahead.

And what does He focus on? Love. Not just a feeling. Not just emotion. But a radical, obedient, abiding love.

Let’s walk through this passage and learn what it truly means to go—and remain in His love.

Point 1: Remaining in His Love Is Rooted in Obedience

Jesus says, "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love."

The Greek word for “obey” is t???? (tereo), meaning to keep, guard, or preserve. It’s not reluctant compliance—it’s watchful, loving loyalty.

Jesus is not suggesting we earn His love by obedience, but that obedience is the natural fruit of love. He’s inviting us into the same relationship He has with the Father.

1 John 5:3 (NLT): "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."

John writes this to a church under pressure from false teachings. He reminds them that true love is demonstrated in faithful obedience to God's Word—not mystical experiences or emotional highs.

Charles Stanley once said: “Obedience always brings blessing, even when we don’t see it immediately.”

Friends, this is not legalism. This is love that results in joyful obedience because our hearts are aligned with the will of our Lord.

Point 2: Christ Obeys the Father—Our Perfect Example

Jesus continues: "...just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love."

He isn't asking us to do anything He hasn't done. Christ is the perfect picture of obedience.

Philippians 2:8 (NLT): "He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."

Jesus’ obedience wasn’t easy. It led Him to Gethsemane. It led Him to Golgotha. But it also led to our redemption.

In Philippians 2:8, the word for “obedient” is hypekoos—to listen attentively and respond with action. It’s submission born out of love.

R.T. Kendall wrote: “Jesus obeyed so we might be saved, not so He might be glorified. Glory followed His obedience.”

That’s the Jesus we follow—humble, obedient, and overflowing in love.

Point 3: Love and Obedience Are Inseparable

In our world, love is often reduced to sentiment. But Jesus ties love to obedience—not out of cold duty, but as an expression of trust.

John 14:15 (NLT): "If you love me, obey my commandments."

Jesus repeats this truth again and again. Why? Because He knows we are prone to separate affection from action. But in the kingdom of God, love is not passive—it is active and transforming.

The Lighthouse Keeper

There’s a story of a lighthouse keeper who used oil to light his beacon each night. One day, a local villager asked for oil to warm his home. Another came needing it for his lantern. The keeper gave some away, and eventually, he had none left for the lighthouse. One night, the beacon went dark—and several ships crashed into the rocks.

Like that keeper, when we compromise obedience in the name of misplaced compassion or convenience, we risk disaster. Love without obedience is like a lighthouse with no light—it fails to guide.

Tim Keller said: “Love without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it.”

Friends, obedience is where love and truth meet. When we remain in His love, we become beacons of grace to a dark world.

Point 4: Remaining in His Love Leads to Joy and Fruitfulness

Jesus doesn’t call us to dry rule-keeping but to life-giving relationship.

John 15:11 (NLT): "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT): "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience..."

Remaining in Christ’s love is the fertile soil where spiritual fruit grows. The more we abide, the more we become like Him.

Max Lucado puts it beautifully: “The Maker of the stars would rather die for you than live without you. That’s the kind of love that changes everything.”