Love That Transforms

John 14:15 ESV

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

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Introduction:

We often talk about Love! - We have had amazing bible Study’s on Love!

There are Holiday’s where we celebrate Love

We say phrases like “I Love You”

But today I want to look at how Jesus tells us what his expectations are for real love!

This is a Love That Transforms

Here is a Fact - If you love Jesus you will keep the commandments of Jesus!

I’m talking to all of us today

Obedience is not an option for believers!

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

He did not tell us If you love me, then optional keep my commandments

He is telling us that if you really love

Him, truly love him - You will keep his commandments!

This is not an option!!!

There is no option for those of us who Love Jesus - we keep his commandments !

I am not saying that we are claiming perfection, I am saying that we are claiming a Love for Jesus with a belief in our hearts that he is the Son of God and we diligently seek to please Jesus Christ in everything we do!

Hebrews 11:6 The Message

6 It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

We are talking about a Love that Transforms

What it means to love Jesus must be clearly understood

To love Jesus is not an emotional thing!

Loving Jesus involves your emotions but it is not based on your emotions!

It is not feelings - Not feeling good today and loving Jesus and then feeling bad tomorrow and not loving Jesus

Loving Jesus is not a fluctuating experience!

Loving Jesus is not an up and down emotion

Loving Jesus is not an emotional love that changes with feelings

When we talk about loving Jesus - I am not talking about a rational or mental commitment!

Yes it involves the mind, but loving Jesus is not just trying to do the best you can!

Loving Jesus is not about discipling your life to keep the law and it’s rules and regulations

To Love Jesus is a matter of your heart and spirit!

To Love Jesus is a transformation in your innermost being!

It is a transformation in your heart!

It is a transformation in your will

It is a transformation in your affection

Your heart is where all your affection, devotion, and will generates

Your heart attaches and focuses your affections,

your will.

your devotion on or towards and object or a person

This is a free-be for someone who’s listening

If they don’t love you the way you love them - that means you are not in that place of residence in their heart - the way you have allowed them to take up residence in your heart!

Say My Heart!

Your heart will cause you to do bad or to do good

To Love Jesus means that you focus your heart and affections and will and devotion on God by giving and receiving the Love from Jesus!

This means as a man you give your affection and devotion to Jesus

This means as a woman you give your affection and devotion to Jesus

You have to freely accept Jesus

You must cherish Jesus

You must attach yourself to Jesus

You must give all you are and have to Jesus

You must commit all you are to Jesus

You must serve Jesus and the cause of Christ!

I am talking about operating in a love that transforms your heart!

I’m talking about loving with actions toward Jesus that moves beyond your religious affiliation!

John 15:9 AMP

9 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].

Operating in this love that transforms us from being self centered to God focused

Operating in a love that transforms and delivers us from an existence that is barren, empty, lonely, unmeaning-ful and sad!

John 15:9 NCV

9 I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love.

say Transforming Love

Jesus tells us this Love of that he gives to you and I is the same Love that he receives from God!

This is the Love that transforms !

God Loves his Son!

Jesus loves you and me

See God can show Jesus this Love because

Jesus is his son!

God can show this love because we are his Sons and Daughters

God naturally loves his children!

Ephesians 1:6–7 NLT

6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That is life changing - To know that God loves me!

That God loves me so much that he paid the price for my sins by allowing his son to die for me!

God loves Jesus with an obedient Love!

Man God is perfect - which means his love is perfect!

Because he is perfect love - he has an obligation to love his children!

I’m talking about more than an ordinary love -

It’s like God sees us through Jesus Christ as the perfect child! - Just like Jesus was the perfect Child!

Jesus was always obedient to God!

Jesus never disrespected his father!

Jesus never rebelled against his father

Jesus was never selfish towards his father

Jesus never caused hurt for his father

Jesus never caused pain for his father

Jesus never had his father in doubt

Jesus Loved his Father

As God’s children we must have the same love towards our heavenly Father !

God’s Love for Jesus is the same Love for us!

God’s love is a perfect love for us!

A Transforming Love of Obedience!

John 15:10 NCV

10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.

Hebrews 10:7 NLT

7 Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’ ”

Some people have told me things like

I don’t deserve that type of love

Or - I never experienced that type of love

Or I have been hurt so much - I don’t know if I want or need that type of love

But the reality is this - we all crave, want and desire the kind of love where someone loves us so much that they would give their all for our happiness

we all crave, want and desire the kind of love where someone loves us so much that they would give their all for our peace

we all crave, want and desire the kind of love where someone loves us so much that they would give their all for us to know real love

we all crave, want and desire the kind of love where someone loves us so much that they would give their all for us to live

Because Jesus loves us - he died and sacrifices his self in obedience to God’s will

John 10:17–18 NKJV

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

John 14:31 (NCV)

31 but the world must know that I love the Father, so I do exactly what the Father told me to do.

Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,

This Love that transforms requires us to give obedience in love to Jesus

and receive the supreme love from God through Jesus Christ

John 21:15–17 NLT

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

We need a love that transforms

Abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, good deed, are good But God is looking for more To be acceptable to God allow his perfect Love to transform you

Allow God to love you

Then give back to him the love of obedience that will be acceptable to him

God Bless You and God keep you is my prayer!