Sixth Sunday of Easter

Welcome and Announcements

Prelude

Entrance

*Opening Prayer

*Call to Worship L: It is not difficult to be God’s beloved child. P: We are called to obey God’s commandments and live in God’s love! L: The ways which God ordains are ways of peace and hope. P: The love of God shall conquer the world. L: Rejoice, O people of God, for God is near! P: Praise God for God’s power and might, God’s love and peace. AMEN.

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing #76

Scripture Reading Psalm 98 - Dana

Children's Message Cindy

Scripture Reading John 15:9-17

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 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. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 15:9–17.

Sermon

1. This morning we continue to look at Jesus’ teaching His disciples about what it means to be His followers. This is a continuation of His teaching last week about the vine and the branches. Remember, I asked, what kind of fruit Jesus expects His followers to bear and we said, “love”? He affirms it in these verses.

2. As this part of His teaching begins for us this morning, Jesus, who was still teaching His disciples says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” And then He says, “Now remain in my love.” Perhaps you have heard this before but unlike the English language with only one word for love, the Greek language had 4 words they used to describe love. And the one that Jesus uses here is the word, “agape”.

3. Agape love is a sacrificial love. It is a love that doesn’t expect or require anything in return. You know the conversations had in some homes. Do we really have to go to this party? Yes. They came to ours. Well, we don’t have to take a gift, do we? Of course we do, remember what they gave us. It would be rude to show up empty-handed after they were so kind.

4. That’s not agape. Agape love does not expect a return. God doesn’t love you because you please Him. He doesn’t love you because you bring your offerings. He doesn’t love you because you do good things. He doesn’t love you because you come to church each week. He doesn’t love you because you are so wonderful. He simply agape loves you.

5. And if you want to know how serious He is about this, look at vs. 16, Jesus says to His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.” Have you ever watched a kid at Christmas time or at their birthday party? They unwrap their presents, get everything out, but then in a few hours, they are playing with the boxes. Inevitably someone will say, “I think they would be just as happy if we had bought them the boxes.”

6. If we have a choice between Christ and ourselves, we choose ourselves. But in His grace, in His agape love, Christ chooses us. And in response to His grace and agape love, we follow Him. Three times in this passage, Christ explains the necessity of His disciples to keep His commands. But His command is simply this, “Agape each other.” Love others in the same way that you are loved.

Communion

Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Oh How He Loves You And Me #513

Silent Prayer

Pastoral Prayer

Lord's Prayer

Giving of Tithes and Offering

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

The Bond Of Love #281

*Benediction

Blest Be The Tie That Binds #286