John 15:13....Love in Action

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Introduction...

Last sunday, we looked at the commandment that Jesus gave us to love one another..

we also saw the benefits of following the commandment...people would know that we are of Christ..

but it was that 2nd point that has been working on me...the example that he gave...AS I have loved you ...

he was the example that we should be following as we fullfilled the commandment to love one another...

and when we think about Christ as the example, one thing I think we could all agree upon is that not only did He talk the talk, but He walked the walked...

He showed us how much He loved the Father and how much He loved us...all thru action...

there are alot of people in this world today that all they do is talk, but there is no action...

let me help you....TALK, PREACH.......

there has to be some action...

doesn’t have to be something big all of the time but sometimes just lend a ear to those that want to talk...

You will see that i am big on people doing self inventory...

you have to make sure you have it right before you try and help someone else...

as Jesus told thru scripture, we have to deny ourself and take up our cross...

so i bring the question to you, how is you walk? or are you just all talk?

scripture says in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Look at that phrase GOOD WORKS..

 good works in the Bible encompass a wide range of actions that demonstrate love, service, and obedience to God. 

By engaging in good works, believers fulfill their purpose and contribute to building God's kingdom on earth

Loving one another, is good works,

praying for one another is showing love for that person and also showing good work...

and that scripture say that they will see us but give God the glory

Love in action....

i love how everything works together for the glory of God..

Your love in action, will help people see Jesus thru you and help someone come to Him and allow them to get their inheritance from God thru Jesus...

what is that inheritance? Salvation, eternal life in heaven...

why? because we put our love in action and not just sat around.

Christ gave us the example, and it’s our turn now....

Let’s look at the story behind the text before we go deeper into the text...

Story/Text...

when we look at the 15th chapter of John you will see that the entire chapter is in red writing...

which means these are the words of Jesus that the Apostle John has recorded.

but it is the deeper meaning of the chapter that catches my attention and brings me great joy..

The 15th chapter of John, is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament that emphasizes the relationship between Jesus and His followers. This chapter is significant for its unique composition of direct statements attributed to Jesus, which are not found in other parts of the Bible. The chapter is rich in metaphorical language and spiritual teachings that continue to resonate with readers today.

if i could summarize it real quickly here for you..

chapters 1-8..relationship of Jesus to the people of the world...

chapters 9-11...relationship of Jesus to believers..

chapters 12-17...relationship of believers to believers

chapters 18-27...relationship of believers to the world...

and it also rolls over into chapter 16...

but Christ is teaching us about relationships in this chapter, and part of that relationship is being able to love one another..

Jesus being the great example, has set the supreme standard for believer here in this 13th verse of this 15th chapter of John.

to John, Jesus was God’s word made flesh, John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

and here today, God’s living word has shown us, that we need to make sure our love has some action behind it....

let’s go deeper into the text...

Points....

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Let’s work backwards on this text....

HIS FRIENDS.....

here Christ called the disciples his friends, not servants but friends...

They were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them, but openly revealed what He had received from God the Father...TALK, PREACH........

so as disciples of Jesus today, guess what you are also His friend...

and the good news is that He will be a true friend..

as parents we try to teach our kids, that everyone that smiles in your face may not be your friend...

but Jesus...

he could have said, servant of God, people of God, you sinners..but He pulled us in with that one word, Friend...

and verses 14 and 15 puts a stamp on it....to summarize those two verses,

John: Jesus—The Word, the Messiah, the Son of God Bible Passage

Those who follow Christ are privileged to be labeled as “friends” of God.

to be called a friend...i hear the songwriter now...

What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear...TALK, PREACH......

Next, lay down his life.....

“No man can carry his love for his friend farther than this: for, when he gives up his life, he gives up all that he has. Theologian Adam Clarke

TALK, PREACH......

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Fifteen: Relationships and Responsibilities (John 15:1–17)

Jesus laid down His life for both His friends and His enemies!

Wow...Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

TALK, PREACH.......

i can hear your thoughts...i may thought the same thing....

lay down my life for that joker....

Family, Jesus is the only that needed to die to save the world however what Jesus is telling his disciples than and today is that This verse emphasizes the concept of sacrificial love, . Jesus teaches that true friendship involves selflessness and the willingness to make significant sacrifices for the well-being of others. 

Christ has shown us that

Exalting Jesus in John Sacrificial Love

. The greatest love is not romantic or erotic; it’s sacrificial.

TALK, PREACH........

John McArthur said in his commentary that we should imitate Christ with our sacrificial laying down of our lives...

how many of you have sacrificed some time to help someone...Love in action...TALK, PREACH.....

Jesus died for all, shouldn’t we be willing to help all...

Christ has called us His friends and He has given us an example of sacrificial love by laying down life and we should try to imitate that same sacrificial action with others...

Lastly, Greater love hath no man than this,

His love is complete and of surpassing greatness, 

Exalting Jesus in John Sacrificial Love

he says the ultimate act of friendship is laying down your life for somebody else.

there is nothing greater that we can do for someone else...TALK, PREACH.....

i can talk the talk but when i walk the walk...it will be known just how much i love you..

and you need to be careful of those that do all that talking...

i don’t need to brag or boast for attention...my Father knows my heart and that is all that matters,

not looking for no pats on the back but to just do the will of the one that sent me...

that’s Love in Action...and there is nothing greater than this...

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

he has called us friends, he has helped us understand sacrificial love and let us know that there is nothing greater than that...

Conclusion...

well family as i prepare to close this thing...we can’t talk about Love in action without talking about the gospel of Christ...

the gospel is the greatest example of love in action...

and only Jesus could fullfill that journey...

TALK, PREACH, CLOSE.......