Loving the Lord, Part 2
John 15:9-13
Introduction
Last Wednesday night we began a series of messages surrounded by the focus of “loving the Lord”, and being sure to display that love in a manner that reflects Christ.
This morning, we continue on that same path by discussing the commandment of love given to us, and the application of this love in our lives.
In your bibles turn to John 15
Jesus talked very often throughout the Gospels about love, and about the application of love in our lives.
Wednesday night we discussed loving our enemies and quite frankly might as well have called the message “Mission Impossible”. It is just not easy to love our enemies, yet as believers we do not have the option to not love.
This morning, allow me to challenge you with this question: When people see you, do they see the love of Christ?
Admittedly, that is a very difficult question and it is not always easy to answer. However, for the believer we have a commandment to love, and in order to grow in the Kingdom we must be willing to do this, without hesitation.
Let me say this plainly: If you do not display a Godly love for EVERYONE you see, meet, or know, including a stranger on the street regardless of their status in life ... I challenge you to examine why.
It’s a tough example to follow, but Jesus is Lord and we are not.
We committed ourselves to love one another, period.
This morning, we will look at this deeper and before we dismiss prayerfully maybe our hearts will be opened a bit more.
Pray
Point 1 – The order of love (v9)
Read Verse 9
Look at the sequence of love.
It is VERY important that you understand this order of love.
God loved Jesus first.
He loved Him so much He discussed the creation of Man.
Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
God was not talking to the angels; He was talking to His Son! This is the first instance of the existence of a Triune God-head (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) – and we were not there.
Therefore, Jesus can say with all confidence – He loved me first.
Then Jesus confesses that He has loved us.
At this point He has not gone to the cross, but He knows the cross is coming. He understands His role in the Father’s plan and so He expresses one thing to His followers: Love.
That expression of love commands us to remain!
The Greek word for “remain” is “Meno”, which means “to stay in one place, at a given time, with someone”.
When we obey the commandments of the Father, we are remaining.
When we remain in this kind of love, we are obedient.
St. Augustine (a famous writer in the Christian faith) has been quoted as saying:
“It is not that we keep His commandments first, and that then He loves; but that He loves us, and then we keep His commandments. This is that grace, which is revealed to the humble, but hidden from the proud.”
The love the Father has for Jesus is what allows us to be loved. Because of the sacrifice on the cross we have been loved today, without it, we would be destined to an eternity without Him.
Point 2 – Are you willing to follow? (v10-11)
Read verse 10-11
Are you willing to put it everything aside and obey the Father?
As we grow closer and closer to Father’s Day (a celebration of an eternal gift given to us that we can honor Him) - I want to challenge you to think about a few things. To think about the Word in a way that changes even how this world thinks.
Further down in John 15:19 it says, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
We do not belong to this world! We must forget about the world’s commandments and look to the commands of Jesus Christ.
Are you willing to lay everything you know down and follow God’s love?
Here is a quick test. Your daughter, granddaughter, niece, favorite little girl in the world wants to get married. The man she has chosen is an upright, faithful man and lives by God’s Word in everything he does. Yet, he is black.
Do you love? Or do you condemn? Why? My answer regarding Nicole is simple: He better know the Lord to date my daughter – period - she will not be unevenly yoked.
You see, God SAVED us to love one another unconditionally. (How can I say this?)
Go to Galatians 3:26-29 (KJV)
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
This is the calling of the church, the calling of the saints, and the calling of the believers today!
Application: He created the entire human race to live with Him in peace and harmony but our sin made that impossible. You see, in truth and in God’s eyes, we don’t have a race.
We are part of the human race, created and sanctified by God, and unconditional love is commanded to all his children.
Examine your own life: Do you love like your Heavenly Father?
Let’s look at the commandment of love given by the Savior.
Point 3 – What is commanded? (v12-13)
Read verse 12
In case we did not understand where He was coming from, it is plainly spelled out for us.
We are called to love one another, without any division! His example of love took Him to the cross – it took Him to immense physical pain in the form of an execution that He did not deserve.
Read verse 13
This is the amplified view that we have to follow today. Jesus has given His life so that we could be different.
He has given His life so that we could learn how to love because we have seen it demonstrated through Him. If He is your Savior today, His example of loving unconditionally is what we have to follow.
Remember the challenge at the beginning: When people see you, do they see the love of Christ?
Want to know more about love?
Be encouraged! Over the next few weeks we will go even deeper.
Conclusion
Jesus is calling out to us to love one another.
Are you willing to love unconditionally? If not, would you ask the Father if He would change your heart? If you belong to Jesus it is not your heart anyway ... so allow Him to change you.
We must allow the Father to work in your life.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to come in and give you peace so that it flows from you as love and compassion for one another.
There is no condemnation in Christ – only repentance and forgiveness.
This is the beginning of understanding love (reference Psa 111:10).
Can we stand together?
Invite singers
With every head bowed and every eye closed, would you be willing to admit, “Pastor, I need to make some changes in how I view people?”
Would you be willing to seek God’s understanding and allow Him to change your life?
If you would – would you be courageous enough to raise your hand?
Do you need forgiveness? (Expound as the Spirit leads ...)
