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.”
Let that truth sink deep. The love that saves you is also the love that keeps you, nourishes you, and grows you.
Gospel Presentation: Jesus, the Vine Who Was Broken for Us
The context of John 15 is Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches. We can only bear fruit if we remain connected to Him. But that connection was made possible by His sacrifice.
Jesus was obedient unto death.
He was cut off, that we might be grafted in.
He was pierced, that we might be healed.
He died, was buried, and rose again in victory!
Romans 5:8 (NLT): "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Friend, the cross is the clearest picture of love and obedience in one act. Christ loved the Father, and He loved us. That’s why He obeyed—even to the cross.
Call to Action: Live Loved, Live Obedient
James 1:22 (NLT): "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
Let’s not just admire Jesus—let’s obey Him. Let’s remain in His love by walking in His ways.
Spend time daily in His Word.
Let the Holy Spirit shape your desires.
Choose obedience, not out of fear—but out of love.
The Vine and the Gardener
A gardener doesn’t prune to punish, but to help the plant thrive. Likewise, God shapes us through obedience so we can bear fruit and reflect His glory.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you’ve never truly experienced the love of Christ, today is the day. He invites you to abide—not in religion, not in performance—but in relationship.
Will you turn from your sin and trust Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
Pray with me:
Lord Jesus, I admit I have sinned and walked in my own way. I believe You died for me and rose again. I turn from my old life and ask You to forgive me. Come into my life, be my Saviour, and help me to walk in Your love and obedience. Amen.
If you prayed that with sincerity, welcome to the family of God. Remain in His love—and grow in Him daily.
Benediction:
May the love of the Father surround you,
The grace of Jesus Christ empower you,
And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit guide you.
Go now, and remain in His love,
Obey His Word, and bear much fruit—
To the glory of God our Father,
Amen.
