The Power of Love
Lord's Table • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsThe weak faith and love of the disciples for Jesus contrasted with Jesus' love for the Father.
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Introduction
Introduction
the only detailed account in the 4 gospels of what Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper
Jesus knew that the appointed time for his suffering and death had come
even though he was fully aware of what he was about to suffer and how he would die we find him focusing his attention on his distraught disciples
his deep and passionate love for them caused him to focus his mind and heart on comforting them in their distress
even though Jesus knew the terrifying extent of what he was about to suffer he set his mind and heart upon the comfort of his frightened disciples
what enabled Jesus to do this?
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1
“he loved them”
describes Jesus’ ministry from this point to the scattering of the disciples at his arrest
Jesus spent his last hours of freedom focused on the comfort and strengthening of his disciples
“he loved them”
his love was sacrificial
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
this kind of love flows out of the indwelling HS
Jesus was able to focus his attention on the needs of his disciples because his love for them was greater than his concern about what he was about to suffer!
“to the end”
the extent of that love = to the end = to the end of their lives, to the end of eternity, to the end of his love
shockingly demonstrated in his washing their feet
required a depth of humility unknown to the disciples!
the lesson: disciples are to love each other like this, sacrificing their self-esteem in order to meet one anothers’ needs
34 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.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:
they are to abase themselves in their efforts to meet each other’s needs
characterized the church in Jerusalem: devoted to apostles’ teaching, to prayer and to fellowship (Acts 2:42)
this kind of self-sacrificing, self-effacing love is not natural
it is from God
God demonstrates it in salvation
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
those who have truly experienced God’s amazing love express that same love to others
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 Jn
1 jn 4:7-
sacrificial love is a mark of true saving faith
this kind of love should characterize all believers, in all ages, at all times
Jesus also demonstrated his love in his treatment of Judas who had set his heart on betraying him ()
Jesus demonstrated his love in the face of Peter’s predicted denial ()
Jesus demonstrated his love in going to the cross even though his disciples deserted him
Contrast The Disciples’ Love
Contrast The Disciples’ Love
28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
if you loved me you would have rejoiced: they were not rejoicing but troubled because they were self-absorbed
4 common expressions for love in the Greek language:
storge: familial love
phileo: brotherly love that exists between close friends regardless of gender
eros from which we get our English word erotic = sexual love between a man and a woman
not found in the NT because there is no context for it’s use
agape: God’s love for his own
translated in the OT as “steadfast love”
God never gives up on his people
in the NT the love of God is demonstrated in self-sacrifice and unconditional commitment to his elect
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
“If you loved me you would have rejoiced”
the implication is that their love was weak
their love for Jesus was not yet the love of self-sacrifice, the love of putting his needs and desires ahead of their own
they were not yet willing to obey Jesus to the point of death
when Jesus was arrested they scattered
when questioned by a servant girl about his relationship to Jesus Peter folded like a house of cards and denied knowing him not once, not twice, but 3 times!
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
“you would have rejoiced”
they were not rejoicing at the news that Jesus was about to ascend to the Father
instead they were troubled that Jesus was going away to a place they could not follow
they were afraid of being left alone
they were frustrated because they did not know the way
they were not rejoicing that Jesus was going to the Father because their love was weak
they were oblivious to what Jesus was about to suffer thinking instead about their own loss
their primary concern was self-centered
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Cor 13:4-7
storge:
phileo: brotherly love that exists between close friends regardless of gender
eros from which we get our English word erotic = sexual love between a man and a woman
not found in the NT because there is no context for it’s use
agape:
translated in the OT as “steadfast love”
God never gives up on his people
in the NT the love of God is demonstrated in self-sacrifice and unconditional commitment to his elect
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NT examples of this weak, incomplete love
Peter’s reinstatement:
v. 15: “do you agape me more than these”
Peter’s reply: “yes Lord, you know that I phileo you”
v.16 “do you agape me?”
Peter’s reply: “yes Lord, you know that I phileo you”
v.17 “do you phileo me?”
Peter was grieved because Jesus asked the third time using the lesser term for love
Jesus was willing to receive Peter’s weak love even though it was far less than the love Jesus had for him
contrast Peter’s weak love with Jesus’ strong love
Greatest Expression of Love is Laying Down Your Life for Another
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
the pinnacle of love is the willingness to give up our lives for another
great love leads to great sacrifice
Jesus’ great love led him to give up his life
the disciples struggled to let go of Jesus because their love was small and focused on themselves
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
those who are forgiven much love much
one of the reasons for a weak love is a high self esteem!
one of the reasons for a weak love is a high self esteem!
when we think too highly of ourselves we diminish the amazing things that God has done for us
and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
it is possible to believe in vain!
this happens when a person does not hold fast to the truth of the word
to believe any other gospel is to believe in vain
Contrast The Disciples’ Weak Faith
Contrast The Disciples’ Weak Faith
And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.
“you may believe”
Jesus words indicate that his disciples had yet to come to fullness of faith in him
though the disciples believed it was not a full orbed faith, something was missing, it was incomplete
Examples:
- the response of the father of the boy possessed by a demon when Jesus told him that if he believed all things were possible, including the healing of his son: “I believe, help my unbelief”
- when seed falls on the rocky ground it is received with joy and they believe for a while until persecution come and they fall away
- Thomas refusing to believe unless he saw the marks
- many believed in his name but Jesus would not entrust himself to them because he knew what was in their hearts (they were believing unbelievers)
- disciples’ affirmation of belief vs Jesus’ prophecy that they would all scatter
their belief was not what it was after they received the HS!
after receiving the HS they were filled with holy boldness to point of suffering and death for the sake of Christ and his gospel
- Thomas refusing to believe unless he saw the marks
- when seed falls on the rocky ground it is received with joy and they believe for a while until persecution come and they fall away
the disciples struggled with Jesus’ announcement that he was going to the Father because their love was not strong and their belief was weak
Application
Application
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 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.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
everything in the OT is aimed at transforming men and women into people who fervently love God and love their neighbour
you can tell what a person loves by what he is most passionate about
golf, food, sex, car, travel, family, hobbies, sports, teams
inevitably comes out in conversation
we can’t help but talk about what we are passionate about
very few Christians have this kind of passion for God, for Jesus, for one another, His Word, His worship, prayer, meeting the needs of the poor
The Connection Between Love & Faith
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
while faith, hope and love are intimately connected love is greater
hope and faith flow out of love
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
while circumcision was critical to salvation in the OT it has no place in the NT
what is critical to salvation in the NC is faith empowered by love
when God draws us to himself by his grace he instills within a self-sacrificing love for him which in turn produces love for others
this love leads us to obey and serve
Jesus: “If you love me you will obey me”
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
there is an unbreakable connection between love and belief
love is the key to a robust belief
this is why betrayal by a close friend or spouse is so devastating
true love leads us to surrender ourselves to the object of our love
when that trust is broken it is very painful
and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
The Connection Between Love and Forgiveness
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
it is possible to believe in vain!
one of the reasons for a weak love is a high self esteem!
when we think too highly of ourselves we diminish the amazing things that God has done for us
this happens when a person does not hold fast to the truth of the word
to believe any other gospel is to believe in vain
When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
the more we understand what we have been forgiven the greater our love for Christ will be (v.47)
Divided Love
No servant 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.”
divided love is a love which cannot be trusted
does not result in great faith!
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
love for the world led Demas to desert Paul, to turn away from the ministry and possibly his own faith
Destructiveness of Self-Love
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
self love results in the loss of everything!
this contradicts what the world teaches!
Love Delivers From Fear
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
if we love ourselves we will do what pleases us, if we love Christ we will do what pleases him i.e., keep his commandments (v.21, 24)
Be Satisfied with Christ’s Love
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Jesus loves believers with the same love that the Father has for him!
Jesus commands us to abide in this love, that is, be satisfied with his love and don’t let yourself be drawn away by the attractions of the world (Love not the world …)
let the breasts of your wife satisfy you
Love Delivers From Fear
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
this was the disciples’ problem
their love had not yet been perfected through the indwelling HS
an example of this fear conquering love
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
love for God delivers us from fear and doubt and anxious care knowing that he works all things together for good
God’s commitment to all who love him is to work every single thing they experience for good
Love, The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
the first fruit of the Spirit is love
be filled with the Spirit
when the HS came upon the disciples at Pentecost their love grew exponentially
this was proven in their willingness to suffer and die for Christ and his Word whereas before this they were filled with fear and abandoned Jesus
Believing in Vain
and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
it is possible to believe in vain!
this happens when a person does not hold fast to the truth of the word
to believe any other gospel is to believe in vain
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
General Belief vs Sealing with the HS
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
there is a belief that results in the sealing of the HS
There is also a belief that is devoid of the HS
note the change in the disciples when the HS came upon them
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
True Belief is a Thinking Belief (vs. feelings)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
do not believe … but test
do not let your feelings or emotions control your thinking
in order to test something there must be a standard
example of multiple choice answer grid
When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
the more we understand what we have been forgiven the greater our love for Christ will be (v.47)
Divided Love
No servant 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.”
divided love is a love which cannot be trusted
does not result in great faith!
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
love for the world led Demas to desert Paul, to turn away from the ministry and possibly his own faith
Destructiveness of Self-Love
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
self love results in the loss of everything!
this contradicts what the world teaches
Proof of Love is Obedience
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
if we love ourselves we will do what pleases us, if we love Christ we will do what pleases him i.e., keep his commandments (v.21, 24)
Be Satisfied with Christ’s Love
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
Jesus loves believers with the same love that the Father has for him!
Jesus commands us to abide in this love, that is, be satisfied with his love and don’t let yourself be drawn away by the attractions of the world (Love not the world …)
let the breasts of your wife satisfy you
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
the pinnacle of love is the willingness to give up our lives for another
Love Delivers From Fear
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 Jn 4:
this was the disciples’ problem
their love had not yet been perfected through the indwelling HS
an example of this fear conquering love
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
the love of God delivers us from fear and doubt and anxious care knowing that he works all things together for good
God’s commitment to all who love him is to work every single thing they experience for good
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesus’ love led him to give himself for us
Love, The Fruit of the Spirit
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
in regard to how we are saved it is not through circumcision or uncircumcision i.e. through any effort or contribution on our part but faith working through love
faith works through love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
the first fruit of the Spirit is love
be filled with the Spirit
When the HS came upon the disciples at Pentecost their love grew exponentially
this was proven in their willingness to suffer and die for Christ and his Word whereas before this they were filled with fear and abandoned Jesus
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
love for the world led Demas to desert Paul, to turn away from the ministry and possibly his own faith
