Do You Love Jesus?

Introduction

Inspiration

Two weeks ago right after Lamar asked me to speak I was in Lowes and hear a song that I’ve heard many time before.

Do You Love Me? - Guster

I wanna wake you from your dream,

I wanna know just who you're talking to when your singin' in your sleep

I wanna find out what it means

Do you love me?

The song is not my inspiration

Our relationship to Christ is like a marriage (actually and engagement) yet sometimes Christ needs to ask us “Do you love me?” because our hearts are distracted from Christ by other affections and desires.

Concern of wedges (not that this has happened but these concerns have been brewing in the crockpot of my mind.)

I think we can get caught up in big theological debates that satan loves to use to drive wedges between each of us through either

opposing views and not trying to come together (not necessarily compromise) but stick to our guns and fighting for “our side”

excluding those who are not as given to technicalities of linguistic and theological study.

Mistrust perpetuated through a lack of communication regarding differences in practices or methods of handling situations that we have strong feelings about.

Goal / Encouragement

whether you need yet to come to know the Lord

or you need to return to the Lord

or maybe you need encouragement to press on

Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.

Prayer

My Jesus I Love Thee

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine--

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me

And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow.

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

—William R. Featherston

Do You Love Jesus?

Isn’t it the love of Jesus that draws the believers together in the body of Christ?

says the gifts of the spirit were given so the saints would be perfected Until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

The desire of the believers is to grow (mature) in the family of God the Father.

They love their elder brother (Christ) so much they want to grow up to be like him.

And so God give the members of his family gifts to be used so that we would continue to mature.

Jesus wants to ask you this morning, “Do you love me?”

Sermon

Do you love Jesus? [Illustration (using Simon/Peter)]

1. After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

5. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

6. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

7. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

8. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

9. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

11. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

12. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

13. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

14. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16. He saith to him again the second time,Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

“Simon, do you love me more than these?”

Do you love me more than these fish [i.e., his profession]?

doesn’t conflict, rather compliments

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Do you love me more than you love these men?

doesn’t conflict, but a little strange

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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?

The more you love Jesus the more you love disciples of Jesus.

Do you love me more than these other disciples do?

Peter’s story

Public declaration placing confidence in and boldly boasted about his own strength

Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away, I will never fall away.”

arrogant confidence

comparatively “I will be the most faithful”

Also said, “I would lay my life down for you”

Public denial (compilation of all four gospel accounts in KJV)

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter followed afar off and stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, [Judas] and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter so that when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. The damsel that kept the door, beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, “This man was also with him.” And Peter denied him, saying, “Woman, I know him not.” The maid said unto Peter, “Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?” He saith, “I am not.”

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. And after a little while another saw him, and said, “Art not thou also one of his disciples?” And Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

And about the space of one hour after one of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, “Did not I see thee in the garden with him?” Another confidently affirmed, saying, “Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.” And Peter said, “Man, I know not what thou sayest.” Then they that stood by, and said to Peter, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” Peter then denied again: and began to curse and to swear, saying, “I know not the man.”

Public Restoration

Restoration conversation (the last time he was around a charcoal fire making the same statement about Jesus three time in a row was probably his denial of Jesus and this is why I believe that in this context Peter knows what Jesus is “getting at” and therefore there is no need for the writer to explain.)

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith to him again the second time,Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (Restored)

Why did Jesus have this conversation?

Jesus’ goal is to continue to change Peter

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Cephas [Kay-fas'] - Aramaic for rock

Jesus publicly restored him because he publicly…

...declared his own strength

...denied Christ

I know I ran away but man, I didn’t go in there and deny Christ three times and start cursing and swearing about it.

Jesus wants to humble him by…

Confronting his past arrogance

Confronting his past unfaithfulness

Jesus wants Peter to confess the truth about himself that Jesus already knew.

I love you.

No confidence in his best performance

No confidence in his future performance

Just a present tense “I love Jesus”

Christ asks us

“Do you love me?” (as Jesus ask Peter hear him asking you, “Do you love me?”

Jesus is asking, “Do you love me more than these fish?”

Profession

Money

House, car, truck, all your stuff

Reputation

Yourself

Jesus is asking, “Do you love me more than you love these men?”

Am I the one directing your life so that your love for...

...the church is coming from pure motives or is it something else?

...the world and evangelism is for the glory of God or yourself?

...the poor for the glory of God or yourself?

Maybe like Peter you had great confidence in yourself and your relationship with Christ so that you thought you would never stumble and fall. You said in your heart, “Though all men forsake you, I won’t!” You couldn’t understand how others could fail Christ. Yet Time has past and you have failed Christ.

Jesus would like to ask you, “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?”

Jesus wants to ask us these questions because…

He want to continue to change us

...Sanctify us

...Rid us of our idols

He want to restore our relationship...

...with Him

...publicly

He wants to humble us by…

confronting our past arrogance

Maybe you think or thought you love Jesus better than anyone else. If you think that, it is false and will be proven so. You will fall. “God opposes the proud

confronting our past unfaithfulness

Maybe you have fallen and Christ is asking you, “Do you love me?”

He already knows the truth. He is not asking for His sake but for ours.

He wants you to examine your live to see what you really are.

He wants you to repent.

He wants you to confess the truth of who you really are

fallen

dependent on him

still love him

Loving Jesus

Turn to a text that deals directly with those that love Jesus

15.If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17. 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.

18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21. 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.

22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Introduction

Jesus is having one last conversation with his 11 disciples. It is just hours yet before his crucifixion and the disciples are confused and fearful.

Jesus is talking to them to comfort them and tell them what it is going to be like when he is gone.

God has two different kinds of loves.

There is Love (16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)

But there is a love that he save for those that love Him.

16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17. 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.

19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Verses 17, 19, and 22 Jesus is promising something the world cannot receive, cannot see, does not know, is not given, and does not experience.

Those that receive these gifts, promises, and love are called “those that love Christ”

15.If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

21. 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.

23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We love him, because he first loved us.

In light of these verses we see that God’s love precedes our love. Then God responds to our love and loves us with a unique, intimate, affectionate, caring, committed love fatherly love that belongs only to those who love his Son.

The promises of these verses are not for the world. This love is only for those who love Jesus.

What does it mean to love Jesus?

15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.

21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:

23. If a man love me, he will keep my words:

24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:

Originally I was thinking of defining “Loving Jesus” as sacrificing ourselves to obey Jesus for his glory. I think that is correct but I’d like to go a step before that.

Loving Jesus is not equal to keeping his commandments. Love for Jesus comes first and produces fruit - the commands and words of Jesus.

23. If a man love me, [the result will be that] he will keep my words:

Loving Jesus is a response to who and what he is. (a response to beauty.)

Jesus has no defects. He is perfect and holy.

To the new heart that loves purity and holiness Jesus is lovely.

Because He is perfect, we must not love Jesus the way God loves us.

God loves us inspite of our sin and our imperfections

Jesus deserved deserves our love. He is worthy of being loved.

We love him; not in spite of what he is, but because of all that he is.

The word for Love: Wanting, Desiring, Enjoying, Preferring, to the point of a craving or an addiction

says, “People loved the darkness rather than the light.” That is what they wanted. They desired it. They enjoyed it. They preferred it. They didn’t love the darkness out of duty. They loved it out of craving.

: “They loved the glory of man more than the glory of God.” They wanted it. They longed for it. They craved human praise.

What are we promised if we love Jesus? (The Father, the Holy Spirit, and I will be with you forever. He will love, comfort, guide, reveal truth, grant assurance, be a father to you and will never forsake you.)

Verse 16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

He is promising the Holy Spirit who will never leave like Jesus was about to do.

Verse 17 “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.”

The Spirit of truth will help you by opening your mind and heart to glorious truth about Jesus. He is with you now but he will be in you when I pour him out after my ascension.

Verse 18 I will not leave you comfortless [orphans]: I will come to you.

When we are divorced from the world he doesn’t leave us without a family but comes to us and is a Father to us. He will give us what orphans need: they need protection and provision and guidance. Jesus will be all that and more, now, in this life.

Verse 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

He is telling them of his resurrection. He is going to rise from the dead and show himself to them and because He lives he says we will also live.

Verse 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

You will have assurance that...

I and the Father are one.

You and I are bound together forever, I in you and you in me.

Verse 21 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.

The God the Father and His son Jesus are going to love you in a very special way. Jesus is going to make himself known to us in a special and very real way that the world will never see or know.

Closing

Fanny Crosby

About

Blind from birth

Poet

Loved Jesus

Testimony

At age eight she wrote her First Poem

First Poem

Oh what a happy soul am I!

Although I cannot see,

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy

That other people don't;

To weep and sigh because I'm blind

I cannot nor I won't.

Quote - "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Because He First Loved Me

I'm trusting, only trusting

In Jesus day by day:

I feel His presence nearer,

While pressing on my way;

My soul is full of glory,

And this my song shall be:

I love my blessed Saviour,

Because He first loved me.

I'm trusting, only trusting

In Jesus ev'ry hour,

Who saves me by His mercy,

And keeps me by His power;

I'll publish His salvation

Wherever I may be;

With all my heart I love Him,

Because He first loved me.

I'm trusting, only trusting

My Saviour's hand to guide;

I know His grace sufficient,

And ask for naught beside;

My soul is on the mountain,

My home beyond the sea:

O bless the Lord! I love Him,

Because He first loved me

Chorus:

Because He first loved me.

I love Him, I love Him,

Because He first loved me:

I trust Him, I trust Him,

Wherever I may be.

My soul is full of glory,

I sing because I'm free;

I love my blessed Saviour,

Because He first loved me.

—Fanny Crosby

Quote - "When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior"

Do you love Jesus? Can you say this? Is this true for you?

Can you say with Fanny Crosby, “Yes, With all my heart I love Him!”

If you do love Christ

Spend time with Him

bask in Christ’s Love

proclaim his Mercy

stand in awe of His Beauty

be confident in his Sufficiency.

Enjoy and be satisfied in Christ so that the lure of satan becomes strangely dim.

If you do not love Jesus, if you see no beauty in Christ

Repent and believe the gospel

"The time is here, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

ask God to open your eyes

3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

to take out your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Seek Christ

7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Cry out to him and give him rest until

1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Call upon Him and he will hear you. Earnestly seek God, give him no rest until he fulfils his promise to open your eyes, to shine light into your cold dark heart, so that you become a new creature with new desires and affections.

If the Spirit is bringing conviction don’t resist, don’t harden your heart. Christ will take you if you would turn and throw yourself upon him. He stands waiting, watching and pleading. He is calling out, "Come, come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;”

I’d like to just plead with all of your hearts and minds in the the words of scripture.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

for our God will abundantly pardon.

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