The Challenge to the Disciples
Notes
Transcript
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Introduction: We are continuing our study in the book of John. The Upper Room discourse. It started with Jesus washing the disciples feet. A sign of humility and a sign to teach them to serve others. This was finished by Judas leaving to betray Christ which was a huge surprise to most of the disciples. They couldn’t imagine that someone who had walked with Jesus and followed Him would betray Him. Jesus told them that whoever He gave the dipped piece of bread to that is the one who would betray Him and it was Judas. These events lead up to where we come to our passage this morning.
Have you ever lost someone suddenly? Perhaps it was a close friend who cut you off, or a mentor that you just fell out of touch with? Maybe you lost a loved one suddenly. The sudden reality of things that are not the same anymore can be kind of overwhelming. Something happened and it can’t be undone. Sometimes this brings about fear or anxiety, even depression can set in. When we suffer like this it seems like our body has trouble processing everything. This is kind of the feeling that we get with the disciples in this passage. They had walked with Jesus and followed Him for 3 years. They abandoned their careers, livelihoods, family in some cases and they forsook it all to follow Jesus.
They’ve had some pretty high highs, and some pretty low lows. I think about when the crowds were thronging Jesus and following Him and His disciples were close by to see the different miracles.
The time He healed the women with the issue of blood for 12 years and then went and raised the ruler of the Synagogues daughter back to life.
The time Jesus met the maniac at Gadara and cast the demons out of that man and they saw this lunatic possessed man, clothed and in his right mind after meeting Jesus.
They were there when He fed the 5k plus people with 5 fish and 2 loaves a little boys lunch for the day.
They were there when He preformed all of these miracles and they were first hand witnesses to them.
They saw the crowds form and they also suffered rebuke and were mocked by the religious leaders of their day. The crowds turned around and went home.
There were times when they wanted to stone Jesus and they were there. They witnessed all of these things and now they are facing the reality that Jesus was about to leave them. This is where we come in to this passage.
Declaration: Our dependence on God is shown in how we live our life and how we love others.
Notice with me 3 Powerful Progressions from this passage on the life of Christ.
1. The purpose of why Jesus came to die.
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
That the Father would be glorified in Him.
Jesus chooses language that not only describes what he’s doing but also places what he’s doing in its context. He’s not simply informing the disciples of his next move; he’s helping them see the significance of the next move. We do this all the time. If you’re in the kitchen stirring flour into a bowl and your child asks you, “Hey, Mom, what are you doing?” You could say, “I’m moving this piece of wood in a circular motion.” That’s true, but it gives no context to your actions. You would probably say, “I’m making cookies.” That’s the big picture; that’s what gives meaning to the action of stirring. If people can get the big picture, then they’ll have a frame of reference to interpret the individual pieces” Jesus is explaining the big picture of His death to His disciples. He is reassuring them that His death is part of the plan to glorify God.
That He would redeem mankind.
When Jesus speaks of the glory of God, he incorporates both aspects, but he applies them in a way that couldn’t be done in the Old Testament. When the Israelites needed to be reminded of God’s glory, he appeared to them—and revealed his character and attributes—in a bright light or a cloud. But how does God appear to man in the New Testament? How is God’s excellence displayed in visible form? Through Jesus. Jesus is the glory of God. He is the manifestation of God’s excellence. Because he himself is God, he perfectly reveals the excellent character of God. He is the exact imprint of God’s perfect and holy nature.
• When we see Jesus, we see God.
• When we see Jesus, we understand who God is.
• When we see Jesus, we should recognize the honor and excellence God deserves, and we should respond with worship and praise—we should glorify him.
Illustration: the most horrifying event in human history is at the same time the most glorious.
In John the cross is the throne on which he receives his crown as Davidic Messiah, and it is the mercy seat on which atonement comes to the world
Application: Live a life that pleases the Lord.
Not only do we see the purpose to why he came but also the Plan he set in place.
2. The plan He set in place
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Jesus was assuring them that He had everything in control. In John 8 He told the Jews that where He was going they couldn’t come. This was what He was referencing here to His disciples. Jesus knew what was coming and He kept assuring His disciples of what was coming next.
A new Commandment: They should love one another as Jesus had loved them. This doesn’t seem like a new commandment but after living with Jesus for 3 years they understood how He loved them. It was more than just saying I love you but instead it was a sacrificial kind of love that only God can truly demonstrate. As believers when we put our faith in Christ for Salvation we understand that unconditional love that God showed us in sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. When you understand that kind of love you can show that to others. Throughout Scripture we see the command to love others and we see details about this love.
- Love is the key to doing what God wants us to do
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- Walking in love is a natural outflow of being a follower of God
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- God has taught us to love one another
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
- We are to love with a sincere love.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
I Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
- Our love for the brethren is like reassurance that we are saved!
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
We are told how to love! in verse 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
- We can express love by forgiving and asking for forgiveness
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
I Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
We can express love by caring for each other
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
I John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
We love by serving each other like Jesus showed us as He washed feet
We love by giving preference to our brother
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
We love by comforting each other
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
c. We see all these commands through Scripture to Love one another. Jesus told them that this is how people would know they are His disciples.
Many people knew they were Jesus’ disciples when He was with them, because the went everywhere with Him. Jesus is basically saying, since I am leaving, the only way people will recognize that you are my disciples is that you have love for another. Jesus will also tell them before He leaves that they should be His witness to others of who Jesus is and why He came. They are to do this by loving one another.
Illustration:
Every organization is identified by certain characteristics. If you see a big, brown truck with yellow letters and a man dressed in brown steps out to deliver a package, you can identify the organization. Churches should not be identified by a white steeple, a sign with clever sayings, or a large wooden cross; they should be identified by the quality of one member’s love for another. Genuine disciples of Jesus cannot be identified on the basis of a cross tattoo, fish decal, or “I ♥ Jesus” mug. Jesus says in effect, “My disciples will be distinct because of their love.” People will see their love for one another and the only response they’ll be able to make is, “Wow, they must be followers of Jesus.”
Followers of Jesus will love others more than we love ourselves. That’s a pretty tough standard. What does that look like on a practical level? If you love others like you love yourself, you’ll give others the benefit of the doubt. We’re so suspicious of other people. We distrust their motives. We often act like other people are criminal masterminds, intentionally weaving a web of lies, trying to entrap us. Instead, we should give others the benefit of the doubt.
Application:
So how do we demonstrate love to others?
Two of the great ways to love people (and they go hand in hand) are to assume the best and have a sense of humor. When someone says something to you that could be interpreted two ways, assume the best possible interpretation and laugh about it. Even if you’re wrong, you’ll be happier. Sometimes we parse other people’s words like we’re back in high school English class. We’ve diagrammed their sentences to see if there’s any possible way for what they said to be understood as offensive. If there’s even a remote chance, we consider it hostile and get offended. Why? Because we don’t love them as we love ourselves. Christian love intentionally assumes the best about people. It refuses to jump to conclusions. It doesn’t judge motives. It is kind.
We saw the Purpose, the Plan and now finally notice the Prediction of Events to come.
3. The prediction of the events to come.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Jesus answers Peter’s question before He asks it. He asks Jesus, where are you going? Jesus answers, you can’t come.... It is almost like when a little sibling asks a big sibling, where they are going and they answer you can’t come you’re not big enough and the little brother says. I AM BIG ENOUGH I wont mess anything up!!!
Peter told Him that he would go with Him and die if He couldn’t
Jesus portrays that Peter will not only not die for Him but that Peter will deny Him 3 times before the Rooster crows in the morning.
Illustration: Everything was already set in motion. Jesus knew exactly what was coming ahead. He knew Peter’s desire but also His denial. He knows when we say we are going to serve God and surrender all and live every waking breath for Him and He knows the next time we will sin after saying that. Yet, He still loves us, just as He loved Peter. His love is unconditional. It is not a matter of doing good before you are accepted of God. There is no matter of rituals or sacrifices that you can do to earn God’s favor. We are all sinners before a Holy God. Did you know that Peters denial of Jesus was sinful. He lied and said that he didn’t know Jesus. That lie (sin) might not seem so big to us, but it was enough to condemn to an eternal Hell. God see’s sin for what it is an offense against God. He abhors sin! Think about the particular sin that you detest the most. What is that one thing you see others doing that makes you infuriated. Maybe murder? or something else that is egregious. You have utter disdain for that sin and those who commit it, now imagine how God views your sin. The Bible says that He sees all sin the same.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
If you offend in just one area, you are guilty of it all.
Application: Just as Peter was zealous for God, his sin nature came to fruition. He denied the Lord just hours after telling Him that He would die for Him. He will even cut off the ear of one of Jesus’ captors in a couple of hours. However, he didn’t let this failure define the rest of his life and ministry. He was greatly used of God in the early church.
Conclusion:
The Purpose was to glorify God through His life and atoning death on the cross.
The Plan Jesus left His disciples was to love one another the same way He had loved them and to spread the Gospel.
How do we love others? Unconditionally?
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus demonstrated His love to mankind by laying down his life to redeem sinful man to Himself.
Illustration:
Empress of Ireland was a British-built ocean liner that sank near the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River in Canada following a collision in thick fog with the Norwegian collier Storstad in the early hours of 29 May 1914. Although the ship was equipped with watertight compartments and, in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster two years earlier, carried more than enough lifeboats for all aboard, she foundered in only 14 minutes. Of the 1,477 people on board, 1,012 died, making it the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history
Years ago a ship named The Empress of Ireland sank, and many passengers
were drowned. On her first trip of the summer of 1914 the Empress of Ireland sailed
away from her berth in Quebec Harbor bound across the North Atlantic to Liverpool,
England. Fate, however, had disaster in store for the Empress of Ireland and in a
veiling fog another ship, the Storstad, collided with the Empress, piercing her hull and
sending her to the bottom. The Empress of Ireland took all but 462 of the 1477 souls on
board with her.
Among those who perished were 129 Salvation Army officers. When their bodies were
recovered later, not one had a lifebelt! Survivors told how these servants of God had
reacted with calmness and courage when informed that the vessel was sinking. There
were not enough life preservers to go around, so they bravely removed theirs and gave
them to people they felt were not prepared to meet the Lord. Some witnesses told of
hearing those gallant crusaders say, “We know the Savior, so we are ready to die.!”
Those 129 believers were willing to drown so that the unconverted might have the
opportunity to receive Christ. They were motivated by the spirit of Him who said,
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Yet the
Savior, being more than a mere man, went even further. Demonstrating His deity, He
laid down His life for His enemies!
As we think of His sacrifice which is beyond human comparison, we exclaim with the
hymn writer in wonder and admiration, “O What Love!”
“O what love, that He should die for me!
Saving grace thus to supply for me;
O what love! O what love!
Evermore I’ll sing it – O what love!”
The Prediction was that He had to die but that He would be going to heaven after He died. He has also told us in His Word that He is coming back again!
Let’s be obedient to share the Good News of the Gospel this week!
Invitation:
With every head bowed and every eye closed. We are going to have a short time of invitation and this is a time that you can pray to the Lord.