“THANKFUL FOR HIS LOVE” John 15:12-17
FBCF – 11/23/25
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Sitting on back porch the other night & glanced down. Saw that 3 of my bracelets had lined up like this on my arm (pic). Hit me: Just as these bracelets encircle & surround my arm, I’m so thankful that I am encircled & surrounded by the love of God that is expressed in John 3:16. I’m so thankful that I’m encircled & surrounded by the forgiveness & cleansing that has come to me by the blood of Jesus. I’m so thankful that I’m encircled & surrounded by the once-for-all sacrifice that Jesus went through for me on the cross.
- Barth – “Jesus loves me this I know…”
Is there any greater reason to give thanks today than that? Sure, there are a myriad of things that we can give thanks for today: family, kids/grandkids, that you can send your grandkids home when you want to, health, food on our table, a home to live in, friends that encourage us & make us laugh, a nation where we still have the freedom to worship the Lord freely in this place, a church FAMILY that loves us, encourages us, challenges us, & propels us forward in our faith.
But none of these can compare to the love of God. None of these can compare to the blood of Jesus. None of these can compare to the cross of Christ. So today, I invite you to join me as we consider what it means for us to truly be thankful for His love.
Spurgeon: Little boy whose mother noticed that he was always very attentive to the Word. Would frequently put his hand to his ear so as to catch every word that the preacher said. Mother: “Johnny, why do you do that?” “Did you not hear the minister say, the other Sunday, that, if there was any part of the sermon that would be sure to do us good, the devil would try to cause a disturbance just then, so that we might not hear it. So, I am determined that, if there is anything that is likely to do me good, I will hear it.”
Well, today, put your hand to your ear to hear something that will sure do you good as we consider the amazing, wonderful, matchless love that Jesus has for each of us here today. Don’t let the devil cause a disturbance to make you miss this good word today.
EXPLANATION – John 15:12-17
The first 11 verses of John 15 tell us that Jesus is the Vine & we are the branches of the vine. We get our life from the vine, our nutrients from the vine, our sustenance from the vine, our provisions for life from the vine. That’s why it is SO important that we “abide” in Him. “Abide” used at least 10 times in these 11 verses. Means “to live, continue, remain.” It means that we are saved & need to stay in a strong, vital, growing relationship w/ Him by staying connected to Him. Not a matter of losing your salvation – that can’t happen. It means that we can’t have a superficial, casual acquaintance w/ Him & expect to know the fullness of His presence in our lives. To abide in Christ means that you are a true Christ-follower, not a pretender. And the way that you know you are saved & abiding in Him is that you are bearing fruit in your life – progressing from bearing fruit to bearing more fruit (v. 2) to bearing much fruit (v. 8) to bearing fruit that will last (v. 16). Can you say that about your life? Might say, “I don’t’ know. What is that fruit?” It is anything & everything that is Christ-like in our lives that shows that we connected to Him:
- The fruit of the Spirit
- A holy life
- A life of praise to God
- People you’ve led to Christ
- Obediently serving the Lord
Bro Bob Pitman: “You know if you’re saved, & you know if you’re not saved.” You know if you’re abiding in Him, & you know if you’re not.
A fruit-bearing life is driven by the love of Jesus! V. 9-10 – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love…”
This is that amazing Gk word – agape – The love of Jesus that is unconditional, undeserved, & unbelievable. And that’s why…
APPLICATION – The love of Christ is our greatest reason for Thanksgiving.
Turn your thoughts completely to the love of Christ. Ponder on it. Meditate on it. Bask in it. Be thankful for it. Abide in it. And pray these 3 prayers:
“JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING LOVE!”– v. 13 – When was the last time you were amazed by something? Birth of child/grandchild – Delta sunset – mule deer in NM, an answer to prayer, or like me, you’re amazed that God has blessed you w/ an incredible wife!
But when was last time you were just amazed, astounded, blown away, & speechless at the love of Christ – the love that saved you when you were completely unworthy, found you when you were totally lost, & gave you life when you were spiritually dead? Just think about it: If it weren’t for His great love that was proven by His sacrifice on the cross, you & I would have no hope, no heaven, no eternal life, no abundant life, no purpose in life, no meaning in life. Let yourself be amazed afresh & anew by:
- The greatness of His love – “Greater love has no one than this…” – v. 13a
- The sacrifice of His love – “…that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – v. 13b
WWII – US Army troop transport ship carrying 902 soldiers torpedoed by German sub off coast of Greenland. Sinking quickly – men panicking as they raced to the lifeboats. In midst of pandemonium, 4 chaplains – Jewish, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed – worked to pass out life vest to the terrified men. When life vests ran out, each chaplain removed his & gave to next man in line. As ship went down, men in nearby rafts could see the 4 chaplains – arms linked, leaning against the slanting deck, praying out loud & singing hymns together until they went under to their death. Before boarding the ship, Chaplain Poling, the Reformed chaplain asked his father to pray for him: "Not for my safe return, that wouldn't be fair. Just pray that I shall do my duty … never be a coward … and have the strength, courage and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate."
Be amazed today that the love of Christ for you is MORE than adequate! No greater love than His! No greater sacrifice than His!
“JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR HOW MY LIFE IS CHANGED BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE!” – v. 14-15 – Not only is the amazing love of Jesus demonstrated in His death on the cross, it is also evident in the intimacy of our friendship w/ Him. V. 15 – “I have called you friends.” That is a stunning, life-changing statement. In the OT, only Abraham & Moses are called “friends of God.” And here, Jesus extended that same intimate interaction to us.
Think about your best friend:
- You love spending time w/ them.
- They bring you great joy & happiness.
- They know everything about you, even your deepest, darkest secrets, & they love you anyway.
- They laugh deep belly laughs w/ you.
- They cry deep anguished cries w/ you.
- They are available to you at any time of day or night.
If your imperfect friend is all of those things to you & more, think of how much more of a friend Jesus is to you as your perfect Friend. Proverbs 18:24 – “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” And His name is Jesus!
“JESUS, I THANK YOU FOR THE MOTIVATION YOUR LOVE GIVES ME!” – v. 16-17 – When you truly realize just how amazing Jesus’ love is – when your life is truly changed b/c of Jesus’s love – then you’ll truly be motivated to live the rest of your life for Him. We will be motivated in 3 ways:
- To bear fruit – “I have chosen you to go & bear fruit – fruit that will last” – We bear fruit by living in obedience to Him & leading others to know Him.
- To pray – “whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you” – Fruit-bearing Christians can expect answers to prayer.
- To love others – Jesus began by commanding us to love others, & He ends by commanding us to love others. This isn’t just having a “feeling” of love – it is proving that we truly know Jesus by showing His love to others.
“Terror accomplishes no real obedience. Suspense brings forth no fruit unto holiness. No gloomy uncertainty as to God’s favor can subdue one lust or correct our crookedness of will. But the free pardon of the cross uproots sin & withers its branches. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this.” (19th century Horatio Bonar)
CONCLUSION – B/c Christ loves me, I am thankful that I have…
- An Advocate before the Father
- A Big Brother
- A Counselor
- A Defender
- An Eternal home in heaven
- A Friend who sticks closer than a brother
- A Good Shepherd
- A Helper in times of need
- An Imperishable inheritance
- Joy that is nonstop
- Knowledge that is rich & deep
- Love for my family, friends, even my enemies
- Motivation to share the Gospel
- New life as a new creation
- Overwhelming peace that passes all understanding
- Power for living through the Holy Spirit
- Quietness in the storms of life
- A Redeemer
- A Savior
- A Teacher
- Unity w/ my brothers & sisters in Christ
- Vision for my life
- Wisdom from on high
- Xtraordinary GRACE & MERCY
- You, my Church FAMILY
- Zeal for serving Him for the rest of my life!
