Thankful For His Love

“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: