Tim's Chapel Service
Timothy von Kroge
Chapel Service - What did Jesus mean? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What did Jesus mean?
What did Jesus mean?
opening
On the evening before His crucifixion, Jesus gave a private teaching to His disciples.
Jesus has been reassuring the disciples as He approaches His impending death and resurrection.
The discourse in the upper room takes place right after the Lord’s announcement that one of the disciples will betray Him and Judas leaves the room.
As part of His instruction, Jesus says this....
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
I wish to dive into the meaning of this particular passage.
I want to show what Jesus was teaching with this statement.
To do so , I will dive into several writings from John.
The connection between the love for Christ and obedience to Him is a recurring theme in the apostle John’s writings.
Here are just some examples
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
What does Jesus mean when He says, “Keep my commands”?
Is Jesus referring to keeping a list of rules and laws like the Ten Commandments, or does He have something else in mind?
For such a simple statement, this verse is often exaggerated or ignored.
We will discover what Jesus was teaching with this statement.
What does Jesus say immediately after making this statement
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Jesus knows that keeping His commands in this fallen world will only happen with a divine source of power.
That divine source of power is the Holy Spirit and we are not able to keep His commands without the Holy Spirit’s presence living within us.
As we will discover, this is part of the prediction about the Holy Spirit.
Jesus refers to this as the Spirit of Truth
Jesus promises that the Spirit will arrive to help the disciples carry on after Jesus is ascended to heaven.
Throughout this service, we want to talk about how a person’s love for Christ, their obedience to His teachings and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are intertwined.
Although Jesus is focused on comfort and encouragement, He will continue to highlight the need to maintain faith, based on all He has said and done so far.
Let us read
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Prayer for guidance
Welcome everyone to another installment of a Chapel Service at CBC.
This is a series where I am preparing some ideas for services with our youth ministry . This particular series is called What did Jesus mean?
I plan on taking our youth on a journey as we discover the meaning of a particular teaching that Jesus was teaching throughout the Bible.
I believe that this should make excellent sermons during our events this year. The simple fact is there is no shortage of material in the Gospels.
So today we will cover John 14:15-21 as an example and give this a try to see how it plays out.
I normally like to discuss theology and doctrines but I need to consider my audience and I am wanting to bring this down to the proper level. As always I am asking for comments to see what everyone thinks of these ideas. With that in mind, let us get started.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jesus was teaching His disciples before His Crucifixion.
Part of that encouragement is their knowledge of Him was their way to God.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Those who believe in Him have the opportunity to do “greater works”than even He had done.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Jesus connects a person’s love for Him with their obedience to His teachings.
Let us eliminate the two possible extreme views
Some think this verse means that you are in a works based salvation.
The other is to brush the statement aside as if the person’s behavior says nothing about their eternal destiny.
Both are wrong.
Christ made it clear that He, not His followers, is the One responsible for their salvation.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Jesus also pointed out that His followers still need some level of “cleaning” from sin.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Jesus taught that those who follow Him are obligated to show love for others.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
That is the primary sign of faith to the outside world.
Here , He indicates that obedience to His commands is the primary sign of our love for Him.
A person can not claim to know Christ and hate other Christians.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Nor can someone claim to know Christ while disregarding His teachings.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
*Let us look at our next verse
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
The term “parakletos” can be translated as a “Comforter” , “Helper”, or “Advocate”. this is the same term used by John to describe Jesus in this verse...
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
That connection has meaning.
Jesus will later point out that He is leaving His earthly ministry specifically so the Holy Spirit can act.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Holy Spirit does from the inside what Christ would do from the outside: teach,convict,remind, and guide.
The Holy Spirit is guaranteed to be with the believer forever.
Let us look at our next verse
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
In the prior verse, Jesus promises to send a Comforter.
He specifies that this is the Holy Spirit, available to those who believe in Christ.
In fact, the Holy Spirit indwells those who believe in Jesus Christ, right?
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
We see the Holy Spirit called “the Spirit of truth”.
This not only emphasizes that there is only one truth, it connects the nature of the Holy Spirit to the nature of Jesu Christ Himself, right?
The Holy Spirit permanently resides in those who express faith in Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
That indwelling will not begin until after Jesus is resurrected, which is why He says this Spirit “shall be in you” rather than that it “is in you” at the moment He speaks to His disciples.
Those who do not believe do not have the Holy Spirit.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Let us look at our next verse
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Some of the predictions Jesus has made leading up to this passage are troubling.
these include reminders of His impending death
And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
warnings of a traitor in their midst
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
prophesying that Peter would deny Him three times
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.
To bolster their faith and courage, Jesus offered extensive reassurance.
He comforted them with promises that He would return and he made preparations for them.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
That by knowing Him they know the way to salvation
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And most recently, He promised to send the Holy Spirit to permanently live in those who have faith in Christ.
Jesus notes that He will come to those who believe.
In context, this seems to refer to his resurrection
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
rather than the rapture or a person’s death.
Let us go to our next verse
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
The world in this context means the unbelieving and the fallen human condition.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come , but noted that unbelievers would neither see nor know Him.
Here, He notes this is the end of His earthly presence, in a form visible even to those who do not believe.
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
The disciples , on the other hand, will see Jesus again and soon.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Scripture often ties the life of a believer to the life of Christ.
Why? we live because He lives, right?
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
Those who have faith in Christ are said to have passed from death to life, right?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
This is because of the death and resurrection of Jesus
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
This promise from Christ is the answer to our struggles, right?
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Christians are guaranteed redemption and restoration at the end of our earthly lives.
For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Christ’s resurrection is the proof that those who put their faith in Him will also see victory over death, right?
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Let us go to our next verse
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Jesus has promised the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This reference implies the Holy Spirit would be in believers.
This event will occur after Jesus’ resurrection, and will mark the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling ministry.
This statement provides support for the doctrine of the Trinity.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will be in you, while here Jesus says I (will be)in you.
This is a consistent pattern of the Bible , where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are spoken of with the same attributes.
Let us move on to our last verse for this message
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Earlier in this passage, Jesus noted that those who love Him would obey His teachings.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jesus followed that statement with reassurance that the Holy Spirit would come to be in believers.
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Our ability to follow the will of God depends on the influence of His Spirit.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Later, Jesus will reinforce this idea of the Spirit guiding and teaching believers.
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
So here, with all of this in mind, a person’s obedience to Christ’s teachings is presented as evidence that they do, indeed, have faith in Him, right?
Good works cannot produce salvation,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
but salvation will produce an attitude of obedience.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
John makes note of this idea many times in his letters
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
At no point, does Scripture indicate or suggest that we must do good to earn or keep our salvation.
It frequently indicates though, that salvation influences our lives, right?
where there is no influence, there is no faith, right?
In a spiritual sense, only those who accept Christ will see and understand God, right?
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Conclusion
Thankfully we have a model for loving Jesus and keeping His commandments.
What is that model do you ask?
The love of Jesus Christ and His life of obedience to the Father.
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Obeying Christ’s commands means copying the example of Jesus.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Loving Jesus is not merely a feeling, it is an active , continuing, and ongoing relationship of following and obeying our Master
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Now we know what Jesus meant by this statement.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Closing prayer for thanks
Closing thoughts and thanks for everyone watching.
