Two Commandments
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· 3 viewsThere are two famous commands that Jesus gives to His disciples just before he leaves them. Today we inspect both of them.
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Transcript
Last Words
Last Words
Last Words
so often memorialized.
When a loved one dies
trying to remember details
often ponder
my last words
their last words.
Some are sweet and comforting.
others are sad
some are silly.
P.T. Barnum - 1891: "How were the receipts today at Madison Square Garden?"
Writer, Oscar Wilde - 1900: he died saying, "Either that wallpaper goes or I do."
Lady Nancy Astor - 1964: "Am I dying, or is it my birthday?"
Author, James M Barrie: "I can't sleep."
General John Sedgwick: killed in battle during the Civil War in 1864 saying, "They couldn't hit an elephant from this dist...."
Robert Erskins Childers - 1922: executed by firing squad said, "Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way"
Paul Claudel - 1955: asked "Doctor, do you think it could have been the sausage?"
And we all know what a redneck's famous last words are: "Hey! Watch this!"
Some have said,
life is not fair
but one thing is sure
we all will do 2 things
pay taxes and die.
When death comes,
whether fast
or slow
we love to hold memories
conversations with loved ones.
Today, we celebrate
the last supper.
We have memorialized
the last meal
Jesus had with all
12 of disciples
before his arrest and murder.
Each quarter we
ponder
last words
last actions
of Jesus.
Today,
I want to investigate further
among last words
2 Great Commands.
We will compare them.
Joy or Sorrow?
Joy or Sorrow?
We look to this time
with great comfort
peace and joy.
Of course,
the disciples
didn’t experience it
like we do.
As Jesus is trying
to explain to them
He will die
one will betray him
what matters most
most goes over their head.
He realizes His words
though not fully
understood that night
would accept later
as they look back.
The disciples knew
they were at precipice
some great event.
They assumed
crowning of Jesus
David throne
kingship.
Their thoughts distracted.
The Greatest
The Greatest
They entered last supper
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Jesus need to
get their attention
stop the argument
once and for all.
So he washed their feet.
Mark Twain, became morose and weary of life. Shortly before his death, he wrote, "A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; ...those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence,...a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever."
Mark Twain.
The Washing
The Washing
[Jesus] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Disciples were
appalled
embarrassed
offended
humbled.
They called Him “Master”.
They couldn’t accept
master washing their feet.
Master and Servant
Master and Servant
Jesus finishes washing
and explains to them:
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Jesus tells them
not just to do communion
once per quarter.
not just to participate in
ordinance of humility
(just about to do)...
But...
To live this daily!
Further down the chapter
Jesus addresses topic again:
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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sermon Title:
Two Commands.
In Jesus’ last words
gives two commands.
This is first:
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”
This reminds me of
similar passage
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus simplifies
the entire Bible
down to 2 commandments.
They are:
Love God.
Love People.
Look more carefully at
two similar commands.
Matt 22
Jesus says:
“love your neighbor as yourself”
John 13
at last supper
Jesus says
“New Command”
“love one another: just as I have loved you”
“love your neighbor as yourself”
“love one another: just as I have loved you”
Obvious question:
what is so new
about “New Command?”
Previously,
love others as self
Now,
love others as Jesus.
Herman Lange, a German Christian was to be executed by the Nazis during WWII. In his cell on the night before he was to be killed, Lange wrote a note to his parents. He said two feelings occupied his mind: "I am, first, in a joyous mood, and second filled with great anticipation." Then he made this beautiful affirmation: "In Christ I have put my faith, and precisely today I have faith in Him more firmly than ever." Finally he urged his parents to read the New Testament for comfort: "Look where you will, everywhere you will find jubilation over the grace that makes us children of God. What can befall a child of God? Of what should I be afraid? On the contrary, rejoice!"
- There was joy because of the love of God.
In the OT,
greatest example of love
was love of self!!!!
Paul uses similar language:
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it...
Before Christ,
greatest love
of this world was
love, care for self!!!
Jesus even uses
this example
for the golden rule:
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
But… Now,
new example given
love of Jesus.
The new standard
infinitely higher
than old standard.
Love like Jesus loves.
Oh the depth
of that love.
This is impossible love.
Look,
I’m good at
loving myself.
(Just ask my wife).
It is not impossible to
think that I could
learn to give others
what I give myself.
It’s a high standard
but it seems
closer to home.
But the New Command:
“Love like Jesus...”
it is other worldly!!!!
I know I can’t do it!!!
Without Jesus help.
In Jesus last words:
2 Big Commands.
This is 1st one.
Let investigate the 2nd.
The 1st command
before cross.
The 2nd is
after cross but
before ascension.
You know this one,
quoted 1000 times:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The 1st command was big.
Love Like Jesus
Love Like Jesus
The 2nd not more simple.
Go and Make Disciples of All Nations
Go and Make Disciples of All Nations
That is a big command!
Like Jesus is say:
win whole world
to the gospel!
Perhaps not all
will accept but
all must hear.
Jesus said:
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
These 2 commands
is the purpose of
every Christian life.
PURPOSE OF LIFE:
Love Everyone Like Jesus
Seek To Win Everyone To Gospel
A few days before his death, Dr. F. B. Meyer wrote a very dear friend these words: "I have just heard, to my great surprise, that I have but a few days to live. It may be that before this reaches you, I may die. Don't trouble to write. We shall meet on that morning."
In the end. Not much matters. Only these 2 things.
In first command,
Jesus wants us to
love everyone.
Jesus’ words were:
“love one another”.
This means Jesus
specifically meaning
love brother/sisters
in the faith.
In and Out
In and Out
You summarize
Jesus last 2 commands
In-reach
Outreach.
Love each other.
(In the Church).
Love others
(Out of the Body).
How to Love...
How do you
love people
in the body?
Simple:
Be friend.
Social Engagement.
Spend Time.
Encourage.
Be there when needed.
Love Church Members
Like Beloved Family.
Question:
How Do We
Love Those
Outside of Body?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus
Go
Make Disciples
Baptize Them
Teach Them
Evangelism
make friends
build relationships
so that—
win them to
everlasting gospel!
Last Supper
Last Supper
Contemplate
Jesus did for us.
Filled with love.
Love Brothers and Sisters.
Win Others to Everlasting Gospel.
Invite Someone Tonight!!!
Live near largest railroad depot in whole world. Rail yard loud place. Fixing cars, repairing wheels, checking engines.
Receiving Yard
The Hump
Uncoupling
Gravity Sorting
Switching & Retarders
Assembly
One night a train was backing up to hook up to some other cars and one man was not watching. He was in the way and the train made the connection right through his body.
He did not die immediately, but he knew he had only a short time to live. He told other men there to tell his wife where she could find insurance papers, his will, some savings account books, and some other things. He realized that all of his plans for the future would not come true. All that mattered now was that his wife be taken care of. Then, just before he died, he told the men to tell his wife, "I love you." Those were the last words he ever spoke. It was the most important thing and he used his last words for it.
Jesus did too.
Jesus said he loved us
with his actions.
He left great example:
2 Great Commands.
Love those in body.
Win souls who are lost.
Hugh Latimer a great protestant reformer, along with Nicholas Ridley were martyred by “Bloody Mary” in 1555.
They were burned at the stake together for teaching the truths of the bible and standing against the evil monarch.
They day of the execution Latimer called out to Ridley:
“Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man, we shall this day light such a candle by God's Grace in England, as (I trust) shall never be put out.”
Appeal
Appeal
Love those in body.
Win souls who are lost.
Meetings
Pray
Attend
Invite Someone!!!!!
