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Well Happy Valentines Day guys. Or maybe as some people prefer it, “Singleness Awareness Day”

Guys to help stack chairs after 2nd Service

It works out that our message tonight comes on Valentines Day, because we’re talking about love tonight and we’re talking about relationship. But not romantic love or the relationship between two people--we’re talking about the love of God, and what it really looks like to live in that love.

Guys to help stack chairs after 2nd Service

And to help us get a handle on that tonight, I want us to start in another chapter 15--we’ll get to in a minute. But I want to use a story to help us understand God’s love for us, and how that affects how we live in relationship with one another and with God. So turn to with me, becuase I want us to look at the story Jesus told that we often call the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Lord of Love

11 And (Jesus) said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Well Happy Valentines Day guys. Or maybe as some people prefer it, “Singleness Awareness Day”

Now this story goes on, because there is a second brother, who has stayed in the house, and he actually responds with jealousy to the way the Father treats the prodigal son.

It works out that our message tonight comes on Valentines Day, because we’re talking about love tonight and we’re talking about relationship. But not romantic love or the relationship between two people--we’re talking about the love of God, and what it really looks like to live in that love.

And to help us get a handle on that tonight, I want us to start in another chapter 15--we’ll get to in a minute. But I want to use a story to help us understand God’s love for us, and how that affects how we live in relationship with one another and with God. So turn to with me, becuase I want us to look at the story Jesus told that we often call the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

And one of the main points Jesus is making with this story is about the jealous brother’s response.

And to help us get a handle on that tonight, I want us to start in another chapter 15--we’ll get to John 15 in a minute. But I want to use a story to help us understand God’s love for us, and how that affects how we live in relationship with one another and with God. So turn to Luke 15 with me, becuase I want us to look at the story Jesus told that we often call the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

11 And (Jesus) said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

But for tonight, in our study through I think this picture of the relationship between the Father, who represents God in the story, and the prodigal son, who represents us as broken people.

11 And (Jesus) said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Now this story goes on, because there is a second brother, who has stayed in the house, and he actually responds with jealousy to the way the Father treats the prodigal son.

So keep this story in your mind as we move forward.

Now this story goes on, because there is a second brother, who has stayed in the house, and he actually responds with jealousy to the way the Father treats the prodigal son.

And one of the main points Jesus is making with this story is about the jealous brother’s response.

Tonight I want us to talk about some misconceptions about God’s love. We’ll call them misconception 1 and misconception 2.

But for tonight, in our study through I think this picture of the relationship between the Father, who represents God in the story, and the prodigal son, who represents us as broken people.

Misconception 1 is usually held by people who don’t know Jesus. Who haven’t accepted him as their Lord and savior. It’s is a common misconception. We’ve all seen people living in this misunderstanding.

But for tonight, in our study through John 15 I think this picture of the relationship between the Father, who represents God in the story, and the prodigal son, who represents us as broken people.

So keep this story in your mind as we move forward.

But misconception 2, which is almost as common, is a lie that believers tend to buy into. The funny thing is, Misconception 2 actually stems from getting the right answer to misconception 1.

So keep this story in your mind as we move forward.

These two misconceptions are best understood as incorrect answers to 2 questions we’re going to look at.

Tonight I want us to talk about some misconceptions about God’s love. We’ll call them misconception 1 and misconception 2.

Misconception 1 is usually held by people who don’t know Jesus. Who haven’t accepted him as their Lord and savior. It’s is a common misconception. We’ve all seen people living in this misunderstanding.

Let’s start with misconception 1: it’s an incorrect answer to the following question:

Misconception 1 is usually held by people who don’t know Jesus. Who haven’t accepted him as their Lord and savior. It’s is a common misconception. We’ve all seen people living in this misunderstanding.

But misconception 2, which is almost as common, is a lie that believers tend to buy into. The funny thing is, Misconception 2 actually stems from getting the right answer to misconception 1.

How good do you have to be to earn God’s love?

But misconception 2, which is almost as common, is a lie that believers tend to buy into. The funny thing is, Misconception 2 actually stems from getting the right answer to misconception 1.

And that answer is a little hard to quantify, so let’s ask it a different way:

These two misconceptions are best understood as incorrect answers to 2 questions we’re going to look at.

How many good things do you have to do to earn God’s love?

Let’s start with misconception 1: it’s an incorrect answer to the following question:

How good do you have to be to earn God’s love?

Give me a number: How many good things?

How good do you have to be to earn God’s love?

And that answer is a little hard to quantify, so let’s ask it a different way:

If you answered zero, you’re right. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more than He already does.

And that answer is a little hard to quantify, so let’s ask it a different way:

How many good things do you have to do to earn God’s love?

Scripture is really clear about this. SLIDE

says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Give me a number: How many good things?

If you answered zero, you’re right. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more than He already does.

SLIDE

Scripture is really clear about this. SLIDE

Roman’s 5:6 says “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Verse 10 goes on to say “while we were enemies (of God) we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”

says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

SLIDE

So what does it take to earn the love of God?

SLIDE

Roman’s 5:6 says “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Nothing. You can’t do it.

But so often, in the world, people think it’s about doing more good things than bad things, or trying to keep God happy with you.

Verse 10 goes on to say “while we were enemies (of God) we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”

So what does it take to earn the love of God?

And sometimes that idea can sneak into our lives as believers. And it manifests as perfectionism, paranoia, and legalism.

Nothing. You can’t do it.

We try and try and try to be perfect. And we make more and more rules to try to fence ourselves into being good enough.

Nothing. You can’t do it.

But so often, in the world, people think it’s about doing more good things than bad things, or trying to keep God happy with you.

This is something people have struggled with for all of human history. And as a result, a lot of time has been spent addressing this misconception.

And sometimes that idea can sneak into our lives as believers. And it manifests as perfectionism, paranoia, and legalism.

And that’s good.

We try and try and try to be perfect. And we make more and more rules to try to fence ourselves into being good enough.

But in our swing from legalism and fear into joyful life in Christ, we swing on that pendulum, and we just keep on going.

We try and try and try to be perfect. And we make more and more rules to try to fence ourselves into being good enough.

This is something people have struggled with for all of human history. And as a result, a lot of time has been spent addressing this misconception.

And a subtle error creeps into the way we think and influences all of our life.

This is something people have struggled with for all of human history. And as a result, a lot of time has been spent addressing this misconception.

And that’s good.

We start to think that our behavior has nothing to do with our relationship with God. And that anybody who says otherwise is just living in legalism.

And that’s good.

But in our swing from legalism and fear into joyful life in Christ, we swing on that pendulum, and we just keep on going.

But then we come to the word of God and we are in for a rude awakening.

And a subtle error creeps into the way we think and influences all of our life.

Just look at the words of Jesus: SLIDE

And a subtle error creeps into the way we think and influences all of our life.

We start to think that our behavior has nothing to do with our relationship with God. And that anybody who says otherwise is just living in legalism.

In Jesus says “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

We start to think that our behavior has nothing to do with our relationship with God. And that anybody who says otherwise is just living in legalism.

But then we come to the word of God and we are in for a rude awakening.

Four verses earlier he says “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

But then we come to the word of God and we are in for a rude awakening.

Just look at the words of Jesus: SLIDE

Whoaaahhhh, Jesus, easy!

In Jesus says “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

In John 15:14 Jesus says “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

But the madness continues!

Four verses earlier he says “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

In Jesus says

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Whoaaahhhh, Jesus, easy!

But the madness continues!

In verse 21 he says “whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

But the madness continues!

And again in v. 23: “if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”

In John 14:15 Jesus says

In Jesus says

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Oof. That’s some heavy stuff Jesus.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

In verse 21 he says “whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Ok so let’s check our work here, because we started out with Misconception 1, which makes us think you have to earn God’s love.

In verse 21 he says “whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

And again in v. 23: “if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”

So let me ask again: How good do you have to be to earn God’s love?

And again in v. 23: “if anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”

The answer hasn’t changed. God already loved us. Jesus died for us while we were still his enemies. He didn’t wait for us to prove it. He died for us.

Oof. That’s some heavy stuff Jesus.

Ok so let’s check our work here, because we started out with Misconception 1, which makes us think you have to earn God’s love.

But here comes the twist:

Ok so let’s check our work here, because we started out with Misconception 1, which makes us think you have to earn God’s love.

I’m going to ask pretty much the same question, with slightly different wording. The answer is going to be the same:

So let me ask again: How good do you have to be to earn God’s love?

The answer hasn’t changed. God already loved us. Jesus died for us while we were still his enemies. He didn’t wait for us to prove it. He died for us.

How obedient do you have to be to earn God’s love?

Did you want to answer differently?

But here comes the twist:

I’m going to ask pretty much the same question, with slightly different wording. The answer is going to be the same:

Maybe, because of those verses I just read.

How obedient do you have to be to earn God’s love?

But the answer is still the same: You can’t earn God’s love.

Did you want to answer differently?

So we have good theology, so we proudly declare: “I don’t have to be obedient for God to love me. And anyone who says otherwise is a legalist!”

Still true.

Maybe, because of those verses I just read.

But the answer is still the same: You can’t earn God’s love.

But the enemy comes along and starts to use this spectre of legalism to trick us into misconception #2. And we shave just a couple of words off:

But the answer is still the same: You can’t earn God’s love.

And say “I don’t have to be obedient…. And anyone who says otherwise is a legalist!”

So we have good theology, so we proudly declare: “I don’t have to be obedient for God to love me. And anyone who says otherwise is a legalist!”

Still true.

See we have swung from legalism, past living in the fullness of loving relationship with Christ, into license: this idea that now that we have Christ as our golden ticket into heaven, we can do whatever we want. And that’s misconception 2.

Still true.

This all started out in good theology:

But the enemy comes along and starts to use this spectre of legalism to trick us into misconception #2. And we shave just a couple of words off:

And say “I don’t have to be obedient…. And anyone who says otherwise is a legalist!”

I asked “How obedient do you have to be to EARN God’s love?”

See we have swung from legalism, past living in the fullness of loving relationship with Christ, into license: this idea that now that we have Christ as our golden ticket into heaven, we can do whatever we want. And that’s misconception 2.

But we take that answer too far and start believing that we can do whatever we want.

See we have swung from legalism, past living in the fullness of loving relationship with Christ, into license: this idea that now that we have Christ as our golden ticket into heaven, we can do whatever we want. And that’s misconception 2.

This all started out in good theology:

Now let me ask you a different question. And this will help us see how to avoid falling into this second, much more deceptive misconception.

I asked “How obedient do you have to be to EARN God’s love?”

Here’s a better question for us to ask as believers:

I asked “How obedient do you have to be to EARN God’s love?”

But we take that answer too far and start believing that we can do whatever we want.

How obedient to I need to be to EXPERIENCE God’s love.

But we take that answer too far and start believing that we can do whatever we want.

Let’s circle back to the prodigal son. See what He did to his Father was a huge violation of relationship. Somewhat similar to how we do inheritance now, in those days, Your inheritance was something you received after your Father’s death

Now let me ask you a different question. And this will help us see how to avoid falling into this second, much more deceptive misconception.

Here’s a better question for us to ask as believers:

So the Son coming to the Father, He’s basically saying “Hey Dad, you’re good as dead to me. Actually that would be better, since I’d have my money then. Can I just cash out now?

How obedient to I need to be to EXPERIENCE God’s love.

So the Father, broken hearted, allows His son to carry out this plan. And predictably the son blows through the money quickly with sex, drugs and rock and roll--

And he is at his lowest points. Working as pig farmer--animals a good jew wouldn’t be caught dead working with. And He’s so hungry he’s eying the pig-slop He’s feeding to the animals.

Let’s circle back to the prodigal son. See what He did to his Father was a huge violation of relationship. Somewhat similar to how we do inheritance now, in those days, Your inheritance was something you received after your Father’s death

So He comes back, and the Father is waiting with open arms. And the Father restores him.

So the Son coming to the Father, He’s basically saying “Hey Dad, you’re good as dead to me. Actually that would be better, since I’d have my money then. Can I just cash out now?

So the Father, broken hearted, allows His son to carry out this plan. And predictably the son blows through the money quickly with sex, drugs and rock and roll--

So let’s look at the Father for a second here.

So the Father, broken hearted, allows His son to carry out this plan. And predictably the son blows through the money quickly with sex, drugs and rock and roll--

And he is at his lowest points. Working as pig farmer--animals a good jew wouldn’t be caught dead working with. And He’s so hungry he’s eying the pig-slop He’s feeding to the animals.

How does He feel about His son?

So He comes back, and the Father is waiting with open arms. And the Father restores him.

He loves Him.

So let’s look at the Father for a second here.

How does He feel about Him before the son makes this treacherous demand.

How does He feel about His son?

He loves him.

He loves Him.

How does he feel after?

Heartbroken. But He loves the son still.

How does He feel about Him before the son makes this treacherous demand.

And while the son is off wasting His life?

He loves him.

The Father still loves Him.

How does he feel after?

Heartbroken. But He loves the son still.

How do we know?

Heartbroken. But He loves the son still.

Even after all this betrayal, The Father welcomes him back with open arms, and restores Him! Celebrates him.

And while the son is off wasting His life?

The Father still loves Him.

See the Father is consistent, all through the story. Before, during, and after the Son’s rebellion--He loves His son.

How do we know?

But let’s look at this story from the perspective of the rebellious son.

Where is He, pre-rebellion?

Even after all this betrayal, The Father welcomes him back with open arms, and restores Him! Celebrates him.

In the Father’s house. With all the privileges and responsibilities that came with that. He’s living in relationship with the Father. Experiencing the Father’s love on a daily basis.

See the Father is consistent, all through the story. Before, during, and after the Son’s rebellion--He loves His son.

In his brokenness, He decides that, despite having all He truly needs, what He wants is all this other stuff. And He’s willing to sacrifice all that He has to get the things He wants, the things He think will bring Him life.

But let’s look at this story from the perspective of the rebellious son.

Where is He, pre-rebellion?

So He leaves the Father’s house.

Where is He, pre-rebellion?

In the Father’s house. With all the privileges and responsibilities that came with that. He’s living in relationship with the Father. Experiencing the Father’s love on a daily basis.

And for a while, He’s having a blast. But He blows through a lifetime of money in a short time, and soon is reduced to the lowest place someone from His culture can be.

Now let me ask you this: How does the Father feel about Him while He’s away?

In his brokenness, He decides that, despite having all He truly needs, what He wants is all this other stuff. And He’s willing to sacrifice all that He has to get the things He wants, the things He think will bring Him life.

Love.

So He leaves the Father’s house.

And for a while, He’s having a blast. But He blows through a lifetime of money in a short time, and soon is reduced to the lowest place someone from His culture can be.

The Father loves him so much, and even despite the baldfaced rebellion and sin against Him by the son, He keeps loving him.

But while the son is in the midst of the highs and then crushing lows of His journey--how much of the Father’s love does He experience?

Now let me ask you this: How does the Father feel about Him while He’s away?

Not Much.

Love.

The Father loves him so much, and even despite the baldfaced rebellion and sin against Him by the son, He keeps loving him.

See He didn’t stay where he could be in relationship with the Father. In His sin and rebellion He moved out of relationship with the Father.

The love of the Father didn’t change. It wasn’t conditional. He never stopped loving His rebellious child.

But while the son is in the midst of the highs and then crushing lows of His journey--how much of the Father’s love does He experience?

Not Much.

But the son in his rebellion moved out of relationship--away from the place He could be experiencing that love.

Not Much.

See He didn’t stay where he could be in relationship with the Father. In His sin and rebellion He moved out of relationship with the Father.

The love of the Father didn’t change. It wasn’t conditional. He never stopped loving His rebellious child.

But the son in his rebellion moved out of relationship--away from the place He could be experiencing that love.

So with this framework, let’s move to John 15, starting in verse 9

So with this framework, let’s move to , starting in verse 9

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

We talked about a couple of these verses last week,

but I’m hoping with this framework that the story of the prodigal son, we have maybe a little deeper understanding of what Jesus means in verses 9 and 10.

When He tells us to abide in his love, and explains that this will mean walking in obedience to him.

See the prodigal son had everything He needed. But He wanted to call the shots. He was focused on himself. He wanted to get what was his, and use it to chase pleasure in every possible way.

So instead of valuing the Father, He demanded to cash out.

He got what He wanted. And that took Him to the lowest possible place. This inheritance He had coming to him, was now squandered. Gone. He doesn’t have a 401k to fall back on. This was the 401k.

He’s working a nasty dirty job, and it doesn’t even pay enough for him to feed himself properly.

That’s our tendency.

That’s what got humanity in trouble in the first place.

God created us, placed Adam and Eve in this unbelievably beautiful garden. He gave them responsibility and authority--delegated some of his authority to them. He walked with them in the cool of the day.

They had it all.

And then the serpent shows up and tells them

Not only are they missing out,

It’s because God is holding out on them.

So he tricks them into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Do you know what that tree symbolizes?

What Adam and Eve were reaching for when they ate the fruit?

The same thing the prodigal son left his place in the Father’s house for:

The ability to call the shots. The ability to get to be the one who decides what is good and what is bad.

From it’s very beginning, sin has been the rebellion against the true king of the Universe, so that we can put ourselves on that throne.

And that sin comes with a price:

The just penalty for sin is death.

So that’s what we chose: death, instead of life and relationship with God.

But God loved us too much to let that happen. And Jesus came to bridge that gap.

He came to pay the debt we owed. The one we created.

The one we chose.

And now He is inviting us back into this place of privilege in the house of God.

And in His last hours with the disciples, He’s telling them what relationship with Him really means.

And he says, as I go back to the Father’s right hand, as you continue to live out your lives, living the mission I have begun, that I am entrusting to you.

I want you to live it right here: in relationship with me.

I want every step you walk on earth to be walked beside me. Basking in my love. Cause I’m the source. I’m the true vine.

How do you abide in my love?

It means obeying me.

I made this world. I know how it works.

I formed you from the dust of the earth.

I know the things that were meant for you, and the things that will bring harm to you--whether you know it or not.

And you need to trust me.

Abide in my love: Obey me.

See at this point we might start to think “crap. No more fun. Better clear my schedule to make more time for the soup-kitchen and every church event possible.”

We start thinking of all the bullet points of how to do this and that found throughout the Bible.

And maybe we start building what we think is God’s heavenly “honey-do” list for us.

But we’re getting ahead of things here.

Look what Jesus says in verse 12: SLIDE

Look what Jesus says in verse 12:

This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you.

This is the life Jesus is inviting us into. One of intimate relationship with the Triune God, and with the people around us. And obedience is an inseparable part of that experience.

In verse 13 He says “there’s no greater love than this: laying your life down for his friends.”

And that’s the love He’s calling them to:

Conclusion

Cause He’s about to lay his life down for them.

Gospel: The good news for us is God didn’t wait for us to come back to Him. He sent Jesus to come get us.

And here’s the cool thing: because for us, in our humanity, when we start hearing talk about obedience, we think of it as a chore. We think of it as being put back into slavery.

If you don’t know Jesus. If you haven’t given your life to him. That’s where it’s gotta start.

And I want to invite you to make that decision to give your heart to Jesus today. Because God has never stopped loving you, no matter how you’ve felt about him. Good, Bad, Indifferent. And He sent Jesus to sacrifice for you. To die the death our sin brings. So that we might have life in Jesus.

And as if He’s reading our minds, Jesus recasts the vision for us: He’s not calling us into slavery. It’s the opposite.

But for those of us who are believers--a part of being a part of the tree is bearing the fruit. And when we move away from God. When we stop abiding in Jesus. When we walk in disobedience. We’re moving away from the source. Sin is us moving away from God. It’s choosing to be the lord of our own lives. And Jesus said “without me you can do nothing.”

Look at verses 14-15

We’ve been called to live a life that is not about us, but is about loving and serving the people around us.

Slide

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

And to do that we need to be walking in obedience, and abiding in Jesus.

Jesus has won new life for us. Now we gotta walk in it! Cause it’s just that: It’s new life. It’s not the old life with a Jesus bumper-sticker slapped on the back window. It’s new. It’s different. It’s a whole new world.

See the slaves don’t get told the plan. They just get told what to do.

But that’s not how God treats us.

God has always loved us, but now He’s made a way through Jesus for us to get to experience that love and peace and joy every day.

Jesus has been sent to chase us down and bring us back. And when we step into life with Him, we are stepping into the inner circle.

That reality can’t be changed.

God isn’t holding out on us. In fact He’s letting us know what’s going on. Jesus revealed God’s plans to the disciple. God’s word reveals that plan to us.

But we’ve got to walk in it.

Let’s pray.

We have the privilege that the friends of the King have. They get to be in on the conversation.

See the aspect of Jesus that John is showing us here in is that Jesus is the King of Love. It’s about love. That’s who He is.

Valentines Day Charge?

Choosing to do things God’s way?

But He’s still the king.

We get to live in relationship with Him.

But that doesn’t exempt us from the order of the universe:

If we’re in close relationship with the king of the universe--we of all people should know How Wise and True and Good he is.

So we better listen up!

But we’re not just blindly obeying.

Jesus has been revealing the plan all along.

And that plan comes with a calling:

Look what Jesus says in verse 16:

Slide

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

We have been called. We didn’t just stumble into the team meeting one day. Jesus sought us out. He called us to follow him, like He sought out and called each of the disciples.

We’ve been given a commission: a place of authority and responsibility in the kingdom.

He’s given us a destiny: we aren’t going to be fruitless--we’re going to be fruitful.

And the fruit we bear will be lasting. The fruit we bear will have eternal value!

That fruit is going to be the life we live, and it’s going to be the people we get to invite to join us in relationship with Christ, who see from our lives that life in Him is the only real life.

This is the life Jesus is inviting us into. One of intimate relationship with the Triune God, and with the people around us. And obedience is an inseparable part of that experience.

We’re going to be bearing the fruit of righteousness and love.

Jesus keeps saying if we love Him we’ll obey him. And then he reminds us:

Here are my commands: Love one another.

Love God.

Love God by loving one another.

See the enemy has fooled us by getting us to think that obedience is the way we work our way into the presence of God. Like the prodigal son, we were tricked into thinking that out there is where life is at. Away from the place we have at God’s side

And that’s not true at all.

Jesus has already done the work to bring us back into relationship with God.

The obedience is the fruit. It is what comes from being in God’s relationship. And we get to enjoy all of that by staying there. By not choosing to go back to our old ways.

Conclusion

If you don’t know Jesus. If you haven’t given your life to him. That’s where it’s gotta start.

We’re not here to tell you to try harder to be good.

Because relationship with Jesus is the starting point

And I want to invite you to make that decision to give your heart to Jesus today. Because God has never stopped loving you, no matter how you’ve felt about him. Good, Bad, Indifferent. And He sent Jesus to sacrifice for you. To die the death our sin brings. So that we might have life in Jesus.

But for those of us who are believers--a part of being a part of the tree is bearing the fruit. And when we move away from God. When we stop abiding in Jesus. When we walk in disobedience. We’re moving away from the source. Sin is us moving away from God. It’s choosing to be the lord of our own lives. And Jesus said “without me you can do nothing.”

We’ve been called to live a life that is not about us, but is about loving and serving the people around us.

And to do that we need to be walking in obedience, and abiding in Jesus.

Jesus has won new life for us. Now we gotta walk in it! Cause it’s just that: It’s new life. It’s not the old life with a Jesus bumper-sticker slapped on the back window. It’s new. It’s different. It’s a whole new world.

God has always loved us, but now He’s made a way through Jesus for us to get to experience that love and peace and joy every day.

That reality can’t be changed.

But we’ve got to walk in it.

Let’s pray.