Essentials: Harmony

Scripture Introduction

Jesus’ farewell commandments as he is going where they cannot go

Jesus lays out what he expects from them while he is away

Connection: Jesus’ expectation for while he is away

Introduction

Thyroid (hormones): Autoimmune disorder caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues.

Take Home: We are to be operating as a part of the body of Christ.

Message Focus: What is needed to allow this to happen?

Love is Necessary for Harmony v. 34

Love one another

Context

Jesus would be taken away

All of them would fail

They need their love for each other to bring them through this

Distinction

Love is not sentimental, but practical

Smothered fire- love without expression

Not liking someone, which is a feeling. A call to serve one another.

1 John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

Ephesians 3:14–19 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Love is a Requirement

Commandment

Motivation: How the meaning comes to life

Not something we admire

Not something we strive for

Not something we obtain in heaven

A command!

Put yourself in the place where you can love your brother and sister in Christ. Perhaps participate in a growth group.

How might participating in a growth group help you love your brothers and sisters in Christ more effectively?

Love Has a Measure

As I have loved you

Adding air to a bottle. How will you know how your doing unless you have a gauge?

Jesus is the measure

Selfless

Philippians 2:6 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

It loves, not what it imagines people to be, but what they are. The heart of Jesus is big enough to love us as we are. -William Barclay

People who irritate us

We incline to pull away from, but Jesus appreciated them for who they were and who they were becoming

Thomas struggles with skepticism

Peter might have been a little over bearing

John probably couldn’t make a quick decision

Simon was probably talking politics

Judas may have been pessimistic

Appreciating them much like a parent with a child learning to read.

Sacrificial

Hebrews 10:24f “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Love can bring pain and demand a cross. -William Barclay

Reconciliation- Someone or something has to die (Old Testament sacrifice for trespass offering)

Vengeance (justice)

Mulling it over (complaints)

Pressing the issue (proofs)

Need to be right (pride)

Understanding

Compassion; Gentleness; Mercy; Forgiveness

Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Jesus was kind to the broken, weak, and lost, but firm with the proud.

Jesus’ Love

Does not prevent all suffering

Can rebuke and reprove

Is patience and long-suffering

Love is Expounded Upon

New commandment

Learning texting: Back button-sliding the space bar

It is one thing to be told to “love your neighbor”, but rules usually don’t convince us to do (or not to do) something we disagree with.

Speed limit

Attaching the love of Jesus to this rule, give the motivation needed to walk out this command.

The drunk who watched his child avoid him when walking with his friends. That motivated his sobriety.

What has Jesus done for you?

Harmony is Essential for Identification v. 35

Band out of harmony vs one that is- draws you to it.

Now the distinctive sign a follower of Yahweh. It is no longer food, observances, nationality.

Do you feel comfortable knowing this is a distinguishing marker?

How do you hold up to this test?

Is your love a sediment or an action?

One another passages

Summary

Love is Necessary for Harmony

Love is the glue that holds us together. Jesus’ example of selflessness, sacrificial living, and an understanding mindset.

Harmony is Essential Identification

Our love for one another is the identification we are disciples of Jesus.

Potential Impact

If we get love down, it would solve discipline issues.

A Possible Next Step

What personal sacrifices are you willing to make to demonstrate love as Jesus commanded?