The Practice of The Chrurch - John 13:34-35

Intro

Have you ever had a moment when something was better than expected?

Silver Dollar City

Amazing culture

PICTURE OF HANNAH

We are in a series called Dearest Place taken from line in sermon by Spurgeon”

“Still, imperfect as it is, [the church] is the dearest place on earth to us…

Last 2 weeks we’ve looked at prayers of Apostle Paul – His prayers reveal deficiencies in churches/ and his desire to see them grow in grace

We’ve looked at purpose of church (glory), power for church (HS strengthens us to know the Love of God in Christ )

Today we’re going to turn attention to words of Jesus as we look at the practice of the church

By practice I don’t mean sitting, standing, singing, etc. / I mean the culture…

What is it supposed to feel like when you come into Jesus’ church?

Big Idea: The culture shaping practice of the church is to be a people who love one another.

1. The Command To Love - John 13:34a

Look at the passage with me.

John 13:34a (ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another...

Picture the scene: It's the night before Jesus is arrested, leading to His crucifixion.

He's sharing a final meal with His twelve disciples, a group who have so far struggled to grasp His teachings.

We get this incredible act of humility

As they prepare to eat, Jesus performs an unexpected act.

He removed His outer robe, took a basin, and began washing the feet of each disciple.

This act was reserved for the lowliest of servants, yet here was Jesus, washing even the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him.

Amidst this act of love, Jesus dropped a bombshell: one among them would betray Him.

With such power and status at his disposal, we might have expected him to defeat the devil in an immediate and flashy confrontation, and to devastate Judas with an unstoppable blast of divine wrath. Instead, he washes his disciples’ feet, including the feet of the betrayer.

D. A. Carson

As the meal progressed, Judas leaves to betray Jesus, setting in motion the events of the crucifixion.

After Judas's departure, Jesus declared, "A new commandment I give to you."

It's crucial to note that this command was plural; Jesus was not just addressing the eleven left with Him but every one of us.

He is giving a command

It is important that we recognize that Jesus speaks with the authority of a King

He speaks as the one who’s been given all authority over heaven and earth.

He has nothing to fear, and when He issues this command, it’s unmistakeable.

This wasn’t a mere suggestion or a new option to consider.

It wasn’t something to just slot into our busy lives.

Pause and think: Out of all the things Jesus could have imparted on that crucial night, He chose this command.

This was what weighed heavily on His heart and mind.

It's a testament to its importance.

The command, while straightforward, is profound: "Love one another."

Who needs to be commanded to love one another? People who often fail to love one another.

At first glance, it seems strange to command love, but who are the ones being commanded?

The disciples had their moments of pride, dismissiveness, disbelief, even betrayal.

In essence, they, like us, were imperfect.

We all have moments when love feels impossible. The disciples were no different.

They bickered, doubted, and misunderstood.

Yet, they were the ones Jesus entrusted with this command.

Why? Because with Him, transformation is possible.

We often define ourselves by our doctrines and deeds.

But Jesus's command reminds us that love is the litmus test of true discipleship.

Many people claim to know and follow Jesus.

They might even have perfect theology and live morally upright lives.

But we are not merely set apart by our beliefs or our morality.

What truly distinguishes us is our ability to love.

Thinking about our logo.

DESIGNER clothes are known by their trademarks or designs.

You can know if it’s a apple product by their logo. They have trademarks that make them very visible and very identifiable.

Someone can be known by their job by what they where.

You can know a doctor by their attire or a police officer by their attire or a judge by their attire.

God has given us something as irrefutable evidence that we are close to God—an irrefutable test by which you can measure your own spiritual growth.

In fact, so awesome is this trademark of God that He said it would be the major declaration of your faith.

If you have love for one another.

This is a Call to Submission

Have you placed yourself under the gracious authority of King Jesus?

If not, what's holding you back?

It’s crucial to remember: if you’re not under Jesus's authority, you’re under some other power,

Without Jesus lasting change remains elusive.

(A new commandment I GIVE to you)

However, when we surrender to Jesus, He doesn't just command us; He empowers us.

He gives Himself to us, and we slowly undergo transformation from within.

THERE is a story of a woman who had a husband who kept a list.

This list contained twenty-five things he wanted her to do in order to be a good wife for him.

Every day he took out the list and he checked off the things that she completed.

Cooking—check! Cleaning—check! Care of the kids—check!

At the end of the day, he would let her know how she scored—twenty-three out of twenty-five. Twenty-one out of twenty-five, etc.

This woman was miserable.

She was miserable because she didn’t marry to be tied to a checklist.

Not that the things she did as a wife weren’t important.

They were important and they were necessary.

But she had higher hopes for her marriage relationship.

After a number of years, the husband died. The woman felt a weight lifted from her shoulders because she had been performing for years.

She had been doing her duty and hating every minute, even though the duties themselves weren’t innately bad.

Two years later, this same woman fell in love with a new guy—a guy who had no lists.

He told this woman that all he wanted to do was to love her.

He wanted her to wake up in the morning knowing that he loved her.

In the middle of the day, he wanted to be able to call and remind her that he loved her.

At night, before they went to sleep, he wanted to reassure her that he loved her.

He wanted his love for her to be her every waking thought of her day.

He wanted her to know his love, not his lists.

One day she was cleaning the house.

She opened up a drawer and saw a piece of paper. It was the list from the first husband.

She began to giggle when she realized that everything written down, all twenty-five duties, were happening effortlessly in her new marriage.

Everything she had hated doing out of requirement by the first husband, she was doing for the second husband—and loving it!

All the second husband had was love.

It brought joy to this woman, to her home, and all that she did for it. She was overpowered by love.

When we think of commandments, we often think of restrictions.

But Jesus's command to love is an invitation.

It's an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and to replicate it in our interactions.

Each day, we're presented with countless opportunities to display this kind of love: in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

When someone wrongs you, choose forgiveness over resentment.

When you see someone in need, opt for generosity over indifference.

Reflect on your week: Were there moments you could've shown more love?

How can you embody Jesus's command in the coming days? Remember, this isn't just a command; it's our mission.

So we start with the command next let’s see

2. The Example of Love -John 13:34b

John 13:34b (ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

At first glance, the command Jesus gives seems like a familiar one.

The Law of Moses in Leviticus 19:18 directs the Israelites to love their neighbors as they love themselves.

But Jesus is not just reiterating an ancient mandate.

He adds this twist: Love one another "As I have loved you."

The love Jesus talks about isn’t the typical kind we often encounter.

It isn't selfish, fleeting, or conditional.

By saying, "Love as I have loved you," He sets Himself as the gold standard of love.

This isn't about just caring for someone as much as you care for yourself; it's about mirroring the self-sacrificing love Jesus showcased throughout His life.

By making Himself the very definition of love, Jesus makes a bold claim.

This is either the mark of an extreme narcissist or the assertion of the divine.

Given the transformative power of His love, it's hard to deny its divine origins.

An eight-year-old boy had a younger sister who was dying of leukemia, and he was told that without a blood transfusion she would die.

His parents explained to him that his blood was probably compatible with hers, and if so, he could be the blood donor.

They asked him if they could test his blood.

He said sure. So they did and it was a good match.

Then they asked if he would give his sister a pint of blood, that it could be her only chance of living.

He said he would have to think about it overnight.

The next day he went to his parents and said he was willing to donate the blood.

So they took him to the hospital where he was put on a gurney beside his six-year-old sister.

Both of them were hooked up to IVs.

A nurse withdrew a pint of blood from the boy, which was then put in the girl’s IV.

The boy lay on his gurney in silence while the blood dripped into his sister, until the doctor came over to see how he was doing.

Then the boy opened his eyes and asked, “How soon until I start to die?”

We live in an era where the term 'love' is often diluted.

Phrases like "Love wins" or "Love is love" attempt to capture its essence, but in reality, they cheapen true love.

Earthly love is often fickle, changing its mind as frequently as the winds change direction.

Jesus, however, introduced a love that turned the world upside down. His love went beyond mere words or fleeting emotions.

It involved action—sacrificial, selfless, and unyielding.

How vast is this love? Vast enough to leave the comforts of Heaven for a sin-stricken world..

Vast enough to reach out to the marginalized, to heal the sick, and to restore sight to the blind.

His love was evident when He was silent before His accusers, when He was humiliated, and when, in the face of agonizing pain, He asked God to forgive His persecutors.

He endured torture, mockery, and a brutal death on the cross of Calvary, not because He had to, but because of His overwhelming love.

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Corrie ten Boom tried to enlist a pastor to help hide Jews.

Showing him a Jewish baby in need of rescue, the pastor said “No. Definitely not. We could lose our lives for that Jewish child.”

Ten Boom’s father stepped forward, “You say we could lose our lives for this child. I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family.”

How often we fall short!

Yet, despite our failures, Jesus doesn't look at us with disdain but calls us friends.

John 15:12–15 (ESV)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Instead of wrath, He offers grace.

Instead of punishment, He extends a hand of reconciliation.

It begs the question: have you truly encountered this divine love?

A love that isn't just about warm feelings but has transformative power.

As we reflect on the love of Jesus, let it not just be an emotional experience.

Let it challenge us to love differently.

To love not just with words, but with actions.

To love not just those who are easy to love, but even those who seem unlovable.

Let's strive to be a community that doesn't just talk about love but embodies it, standing out as a beacon of Christ-like love in a world that so desperately needs it.

As you go about your week, pause and ask: Are my actions reflecting Christ-like love?

It’s not about grand gestures but everyday moments.

Holding your tongue during a disagreement, offering help without expecting something in return, or merely being present for someone.

So we have seen the command and the example, let’s see third...

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3. The Promise of Love - John 13:35

John 13:35 (ESV)

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How do people recognize that we belong to Jesus? Do they see it in the symbols we display—bumper stickers, T-shirts, or even our posts on social media?

No.

Again the most compelling evidence that we belong to Christ is in how we love each other.

The authentic embodiment of Christianity isn't found in the most articulate arguments but rather in a vibrant community living out the way of Jesus.

Jesus himself tells us, By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The emphasis here isn't on love in general—it's on the way we love each other, showing the world the new family we're a part of.

In essence, we're the "model home" in the neighborhood that Jesus is developing—a living, breathing preview of the eternal kingdom to come.

As believers, we're a signpost pointing to a future reality, inviting others to join in the present.

Historically, Christian love has been a distinguishing factor.

The early church father and apologist, Tertullian, remarked on the love Christians displayed, setting them apart in a world rife with animosity.

But it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how the Christians love one another, (for they themselves are animated by mutual hatred); how they are ready even to die for one another, (for they themselves will sooner put to death). Thus had our Lord’s saying become a fact. _Tertullian

However, there's an alarming disconnect in our time.

For many, Christians have lost credibility as agents of love.

There is a story about a man who was walking down the street.

He passed a used-book store, and in the window he saw a book with the title How to Hug.

He was taken by the title and, being of a somewhat romantic nature, went in to buy the book.

To his disappointment, he discovered that it was the seventh volume of an encyclopedia and covered the subjects “How” to “Hug.”

Everyone knows that the church is a place where love ought to be manifested, and many people have come to church hoping to find a demonstration of love— of gospel community only to discover an encyclopedia on theology...A list of expectations

Coram Deo, Proclaiming our faith is not enough.

We get this, actions speak louder than words.

Catch this…Jesus is saying that the world has a right to judge us.

Jesus said, the world has every right to judge our genuineness by the love we exhibit.

If our interactions are tainted by judgment, pettiness, and a lack of compassion, we're not showcasing the transformative power of Christ's love.

(Riff if the Spirit leads)

Jesus envisioned the church as a beacon of gospel hope—a living testament to his presence and not a direct opposition

When we fail in love, it's not just our reputation at stake.

Often, the world concludes not just that we are unconvincing but that maybe Jesus himself isn't worth following.

The real question then is, how can we be the kind of people who exude Jesus' love? John 15:9 provides the answer.

John 15:9 (ESV)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

We can't just imitate or mimic Jesus' love.

We need to remain in him, like branches attached to a vine, drawing sustenance and life.

It's not about striving but abiding in Him, letting His love permeate our being.

Essentially, abiding in Christ means allowing His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections.

In other words, our relationship to Christ is intimately connected to what we do with his word.

When Jesus says, "Abide in My love," He’s making it clear that this means anchoring our lives in His unending love—a love so profound, He gave His life for His friends.

This deep love was showcased to all of us through the act of Christ's crucifixion.

It's crucial that we continually reflect on the cross, seeing it as the unwavering testament of His love, and lean on the Holy Spirit who fills our hearts with this love.

When we talk about abiding in Christ's love, it isn't abstract.

It's shown in real, tangible ways: our genuine obedience to Him is both the result and the proof of our love for Him.

As we abide in Jesus, we cant help but overflow with love—a love that not only accepts but also refines, nurtures, and transforms.

So, what does this transformative love look like in practical terms? It's a culture shaped by the Gospel, Safety, and Time:

1. Gospel: We are recipients of good news. Despite our flaws, Jesus took our sins upon himself. When we truly understand the weight of this sacrifice, it frees us to love without reservations.

2. Safety: Within our community, there should be a safe space to rethink, relearn, and grow in the light of Jesus' love. This safety fosters honesty because we understand there's no condemnation in Christ.

3. Time: Real change doesn't happen overnight. People are intricate, and it takes time to unpack years of experiences, beliefs, and habits. The journey of love is a marathon, not a sprint.

In a nurturing environment framed by the Gospel, safety, and time, we start to witness the Kingdom of God unfolding among us.

Our love, then, isn't just a doctrine; it's a living, dynamic testament to the world that Jesus is indeed among us.

During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, there was a white pastor named Mark in a small southern town.

The community was known for its deep-seated racial prejudices, and many in his congregation were not immune to these biases.

One Sunday, Pastor Mark shared a story about a black family that had recently moved into the neighborhood.

They faced countless obstacles: their house was vandalized, their children were bullied, and they received threatening letters almost daily.

Mark got to know the family's patriarch, James. Through their interactions, he learned of James's profound faith in Christ and the love James had for everyone, even those who persecuted him.

James told Mark about how he'd kneel every night with his family, praying not only for protection but for the hearts of those who wished them harm.

The following Sunday, Pastor Mark was sharing with his congregation about James. He reminded them of Jesus's new commandment to love one another.

He spoke of the sacrifices Jesus made out of love for us and how James's family was showcasing that very love.

With that he motioned to the door and James and his family came in.

A young black family in a sea of shocked white faces.

While some greeted them with genuine warmth, many shuffled uncomfortably in their seats.

After the service, Mark noticed an elderly woman from his congregation, Mrs. Whitaker, who was known for her traditional views, approaching James.

Many held their breath, expecting a confrontation.

Instead, Mrs. Whitaker took James's hands into hers and, with tears in her eyes, whispered, "Forgive me."

That moment was a turning point not just for Mrs. Whitaker but for the entire congregation.

They started to realize that proclaiming love without living it out was hollow. The church's culture slowly began to change that community.

When we truly internalize the love Christ commands us to embody, it doesn't just stay within us; it transforms our communities.

Our genuine love and forgiveness can be the catalyst for change.

It's never too late to start loving as Jesus loved us.

Application Questions:

How has my experience with Jesus’ people been reflective (or not reflective) of the love He commands?

What hinders me from walking in obedience to the love Jesus commands?

How does seeing the way Jesus loved motivate me to stay connected to the vine?

What is my part in helping build a culture of Jesus-like love here?