Enduring Love (2)

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When my sons were little, we used to join hands and have prayer at the end of the day. Then I'd give them a kiss good night. When my son Phil was about 9 years of age, he got in bed one night and said, "Mom, I can't remember whether Dad kissed me good night or not." So, Judy told me. I tiptoed up the steps, bolted through his door like I was a monster, and dove in his bed and wrestled with him and tickled him. We laughed, and I kissed him. Then we just laid there in the darkness for about fifteen minutes and talked—one of those rare special times with your child.

The next night he got in bed and said, "Mom, I can't remember whether Dad kissed me good night or not." So again I bounded through his door and jumped in his bed and wrestled and tickled and laughed.Every night for weeks after that, as soon as we said "Amen," he would run away from me and get in bed and say, "Dad, you didn't kiss me good night." I would then have to come and jump in his bed and wrestle and carry on. It was a great ritual…

One night I was in his room. We were wrestling and carrying on. I finally said good night and walked out and walked by his older brother's room. (peak) "Good night, Russ," I said. He said, "Good night, Dad." Then I got to thinking… Every night, Russ hears us laughing and carrying on in the next room. Then I go by and just say good night. Maybe he'd want me to do that to him. So I bolted through his room, jumped in his bed, and started wrestling with him—nearly got whipped, if I remember correctly! It settled down, and I decided it was time for me to express how I felt. I have to be honest: I sometimes have a hard time saying to a person what I want to say. I said, "Rusty, I want you to know how proud I am of you and how special I think you are. I want you to know I love you." He said, "Okay, Dad." No big thing! But I felt better because I had expressed it.

The next morning, as I was walking by his door, Russ said, "Dad, could you come in here a minute?" I went in. He hemmed and hawed a bit and pawed the floor, and said, "Dad, thank you for coming in last night. I never get too old for that."

We hear this story, and I don’t know about you, but when I hear this story, it touches my heart. You see, I can relate with this. As you all know, I have 5 kids, each beautiful in their own way… But a few months ago, my own daughter Taylor… in her 10 year old version of herself communicated a similar idea to me. She told me, that she felt like I favored our son carter. That I always wanted to spend time with Carter, and play catch with him, and do all these things, but she didn’t feel like I wanted to spend time with her. Of course this isn’t true, but my actions, had communicated to her louder than my feelings.

We then transition to the sermon idea this morning… And I want to ask a question as we begin. Just by a show of hands, can you relate with Taylor? Have you ever felt like someone was acting in an other than loving way? Let me take it a step further, have you ever felt like a Christian was treating you in a way other than loving?

You see Jesus made it clear: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” But friends, how are we doing with that this morning? Are we loving others well? We can tell when others aren’t loving us… but are we being active to communicative our love for other people.

You see if you were here last week, we discussed the mission of the church. Which is to make disciples who make disciples. But as we discuss this idea, we can’t miss the most important factor. The need to Love one another. If you have your bibles, turn with me to John 13:1. And this morning, we’re going to be discussing this mandate of love in greater detail. Enduring Love. 1. Serves. 2. Speaks. 3. Surrenders.

1. Enduring Love Serves

John 13: 1-17 tells us: 13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

As we stop and consider this scripture for a moment, there are several things that we notice. First, we understand that Jesus is washing his disciples feet during what we would call the last supper or the Passover meal. And this would have taken place the evening before his crucifixion.

And this scripture, you’re probably familiar with. I’ve certainly preached it or parts of it since I’ve been here. And this is also a commonly used scripture around Easter. But when we think about the concept of love, and the giving of love from Jesus to his disciples, I think this is one of the best examples in scripture.

You see, we’re told in verse 1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. (but notice it says) Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. You see all the way until the end of his life, especially in the act of his crucifixion his life was committed to love. The bible continues in verse 2: “2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus”

And again, although this is a subtle detail… the truth is that Jesus knew, as we’re told in verse 11 who was going to betray him. He knew, that Judas would turn his back on him. He knew his disciples would deny him. He knew that he would endure a brutal execution and painful torture, and mockery. He knew what was to come.

And yet how did he respond? He washed their feet. He washed their stinky, dirty, unclean feet , feet that would’ve only been protected by sandals. Feet that would’ve been exposed to not only dirt, but perhaps even animal or human feces.

Despite their imperfections. He served them. He loved them.

We transition then to ourselves. We’re told: 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. But here’s the problem… is that we live in a culture where love is conditional. Where, I’ll scratch your back… but only if you scratch mine… where, I’ll take care of you, if you take care of me… where my ability to love you is conditioned on what I can get out of you.

And it’s like can we just take the attention of ourselves for a moment and learn to love like Jesus loved?

I came across an excerpt from Pastor Robert Morris in The Blessed Life in which he explains:

I distinctly remember the first time we ever went out to eat after I had accepted Christ. I found myself wanting somehow to share Jesus with the waitress who was serving us. Then an idea came to me. If I didn't order a meal, I could take that money and leave it as an extra-generous tip along with an evangelistic tract. Maybe the tip would encourage her to read the tract and come to know the Lord. So that's what we did. Before we left, we said a few words to her about how much God cared about her.

About a month later, we were back in that restaurant for our monthly "splurge." Through the month, I had prayed that God would bless us with enough extra money to be able to leave an even bigger tip along with another tract. Just as I had asked, our faithful God had allowed us to accumulate an extra $50 that we could leave along with a booklet about salvation. That night we requested the same waitress and left her a $50 tip on a $10 meal.

We returned to the restaurant one month later, very eager to see if that waitress was still working there. She was, indeed. When she saw us, she said, "I read that little booklet you left last time you were here." We tried not to show how excited we were to hear that. She continued, "And I prayed that prayer to receive Christ at the end of it." Of course, we were thrilled to hear that. But she wasn't finished. "Then I called my husband on the phone and read the whole booklet to him, and he prayed that prayer, too."

At that point, I said, "That's wonderful! But what do you mean, you called your husband? Does he travel for a living?" Looking embarrassed, she said, "No, my husband is in prison. He will get out in two or three years. We both want to thank you for leaving me that booklet and being so generous. Money has been pretty scarce since he went to prison."

Over the next few years, my wife and I discipled this sweet waitress and saw great spiritual growth. We also began to mentor her husband in prison. When he was released, he joined the church with his wife, and they were baptized together. I had the privilege of knowing that the lives and eternal destinies of this couple had been changed because I gave.

Church as we are called to make disciples who make disciples, others will know us by our love… How are we doing with that this morning? Are we serving others needs, or are we self-serving?

Phil 2:3-7 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Friends, he took on the form of a servant. He made himself nothing. He humbled himself. Church, we’re called to not look to our own interests, but to the interest of others this morning… are we doing that?

2. Enduring Love Speaks.

John 13:31-35 31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

We stop and consider the scripture for a moment, and I want us to notice a few things. First, we see that in verse 31 the bible says: 31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. The He in focus is Judas, who had now left the room. But Jesus would say “Now the son of man is glorified, and God is Glorified in Him.” Of course, Jesus is speaking here to his crucifixion to come the next day. For he would go on to say: “. 33 My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

But here’s the key. Here’s where I want us to focus for the next few moments. Verse 34 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

You know it’s interesting, as we look at this scripture, Jesus would talk about a new command that he gives. And he would say love one another. what’s interesting is this actually wasn’t a new command.

In fact, in the old testament this theme of love was quite common. Leviticus 19:18 18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

So, love was not a new idea… but here’s the difference, rather than just loving people. What was new about this command was this added requirement love one another. As I have loved you. in other words, don’t just love each other, love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:12-13 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

And by the way, the love in focus here, is the word agape. Which is the selfless, sacrificiallove of Jesus that would so compel him to die on the cross the next day… and it’s that sort of love, that we are commended to love each other with.

and we’re told plainly 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

I want to talk about this concept of love in 2 specific ways for the next few moments. (Who, How) First is our association with others, and next is how we communicate and nonverbal communication.

From a standpoint who we associate with, Jesus would say in Matthew 5:46-48

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

And the truth is, is that we gravitate towards people who look, think, and act like us. There’s a psychology term, known as the Attraction theory, and based on how someone looks, or what their personality is, or their overall purpose… we feel more compelled towards interacting with these sorts of people, compared to others…

And I’m not saying we should go out of our way to avoid people we naturally like or have an easy time connecting with. But Jesus put it this way: 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Friends are we going out of our way to connect with others. When people come to church, do they feel loved. Do we greet them? When we see others out at the local football game, do we only connect with those we feel comfortable with? Do we only greet our own people?

Jesus came to seek and save the lost, friends. Are we committed to the same?

I also want to touch on this idea of how we communicate. You see I’m reminded of Isaiah 53:7 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

1 john 4:7-8 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Sing 3 yrs old, now 20 yrs later.

“Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”

I want us to stop and consider this idea of love, in the context of what is known as nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication by the way means to relay information without using words. And it includes things like facial expressions, hand gestures or eye contact. And what’s interesting is that it’s said that 80% of what we communicate in fact, involves our actions and gestures versus only 20% being conveyed with the use of words.

And here’s where I would like to encourage us for a moment, is not only what are we saying to others through our words… but also, what are we communicating through our actions and even our body language? I want to encourage us to a sense of mindfulness, not only to what we say, but also with everything we do.

Friends, when we see Jesus, we see his love. In his compassion for others, in meeting their needs, in being available, in going out of his way. In all things… God is love. Friend are we following his example. Not only with our own people… but with everyone?

Agape (enduring) love: 3. Surrenders

John 13:34-38 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

As we close out service this morning, we find in verse 37 that 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

And here’s what I want us to catch. Is that although Peter acted out of fear, that Jesus would remain faithful. For Jesus knew that peter, who he had loved, who he had cared for, would deny him 3 times, and yet… in the midst of this knowledge, Jesus didn’t turn his back on Peter. And this morning, he doesn’t turn his back on you.

37 And he said to him, g“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And ha second is like it: iYou shall love your neighbor as yourselfMatt 22:37-38. Greatest Commandment.

I’m going to call the worship team up at this time…

And as they come forward, I think the best example of love is Jesus willingly laying down his life. Surrenderinghis will for the will of the father.

Talk to a few groups this morning. Next steps.

1. Do you communicate love in who and how you interact?

2. Are we Serving? Look to interests of others

3. Maybe you’ve never accepted Christ as your Savior.

Romans 5:6-8:

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Would others know us by our love.

PRAY