Sermon Tone Analysis
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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?
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
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
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
those who have truly experienced God’s amazing love express that same love to others
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
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
“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!
“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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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