Jesus Loves Me

Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church*, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Trinitarian passage.

Love.

obedience.

People can say they love Jesus till they are blue in the face, but if they aren’t obeying him they don’t belong to him.

John 14:15 CSB

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

Love Jesus

Jesus continues teaching and preparing his disciples for their departure.

He presents them with a conditional statement.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Jesus isn’t questioning their love for him, rather he is positing that they know how they are going demonstrate their love for him.

What does it mean to Love Jesus?

It means that we desire, enjoy, and find satisfaction in him.

It means that we put Jesus in first place.

That he is our greatest desire.

We realize that loving Jesus is far superior than loving the things of this world.

Jesus isn’t looking for half-hearted followers.

He wants us to be all in.

To Love him with all that we have.

Our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls.

The person who loves Jesus is ready to follow him where ever he leads.

They are willing to give up their own comfort, desires, and future to follow him.

That’s what love is regularly defined as in the NT.

Laying aside your life for the good of others.

If we love Jesus, then we prefer him to everything else.

Including family, friends, and ourselves.

And to our ears this can sound harsh.

I need to love Jesus more than my spouse.

More than my parents, kids, grandkids.

How and why would I possibly love Jesus more than them?

How can Jesus ask me to do that?

He knows how much I love them?

I want to let you in on a little secret.

If you love Jesus more than your parents, kids, and grandkids then you will be able to love them more too.

You will be able to be more of a blessing to them.

How does that work?

Jesus is love. He shows us how to love.

He reveals to us the deep love of the Father for us.

And if it weren’t for God there would be no love.

So as you draw closer to the source of love, you have access to deeper and more meaningful ways to love your family, friends, or whoever.

The more you love Jesus the more your love for others will Grow.

Because it is from Jesus that we learn what it means to love.

So if you want to love people better, you need to love Jesus deeper.

How do we increase our love for Jesus?

We spend time with him.

We read his word. Dig and dive into how he has revealed himself.

This isn’t simply reading it quickly, but studying and growing in our knowledge of him.

We live a life of worship.

For the person who loves Jesus, worship isn’t just one or two hours a week.

It isn’t simply coming to church to get your fill.

Worship is a lifestyle.

Worship is living out what God has called you to be.

Sure coming to worship together is important, but if that’s where your worship stops, you’re doing it wrong.

We also increase our love for Jesus by gathering and fellowshipping with other believers.

Those are ways that we grow in our love for Jesus, but how do we actually love Jesus?

He tells us to obey his commandments.

Now we have to be careful here.

We have to steer clear of believing that obedience is a way to earn God’s Love.

Our obedience to Jesus is never to earn or receive God’s Love.

Obedience is always an overflow from our love for him.

Obedience to Jesus springs forth from our love for him.

So the formula is love Jesus, then obey Jesus.

Not obey Jesus then love him.

B/c here’s the thing, duty will never sustain obedience.

Obeying out of obligation will eventually lose out. There’s no power in obedience out of duty.

But there is power in obeying through delight.

If we delight in Jesus.

If we delight in his goodness, grace and character.

If we delight in and remember the salvation we have recieved.

If we grow in our affection for Jesus, then that delight and affection will sustain obedience.

We will want to obey b/c we love and delight in Him.

If we love Jesus.

Meaning that we delight in him,

that we desire him,

That we are satisfied in him,

That we prefer him to everything else then our desires and behavior will change.

Behavior modification usually fails b/c it is done out of a spirit of duty and not delight.

But Jesus isn’t interested in behavior modification.

He is interested in devotion and delight.

He wants our love for him to be the motivation for obedience.This is why behavior modification usually fails.

But Jesus isn’t interested in behavior modification.

He is interested in devotion and delight.

He wants our love for him to be the motivation for obedience.

If you love Jesus deeply, your behavior will change dramatically b/c your affections change.

It’s not behavior modification that changes us its affections that change us.

What we love deeply and truly will change who we are.

I heard a pastor use this analogy and I couldn’t think of one better.

You can tell a teenage boy that he needs to shower, put on deodorant, take care of himself.

You can tell him that God has gifted us with cologne and soap.

But he won’t care.

That is until, he meets a girl.

And if his affections for that girl are true he is going to smell like he went through a car wash everyday.

He’s going to overwhelm you will cologne. Spending extra time getting ready in the bathroom.

Why? B/c his affections changed.

He is now in love with someone who won’t put up with his stink.

So when our affections change so does our behavior.

Now what does it mean to love Jesus and to obey his commands.

In the most immediate context, Jesus had just told his followers to love one another in 13.34.

But Jesus isn’t just talking about one command, he says obey my commands.

All that Jesus taught and said.

We are called to follow Jesus.

We are called to live like Jesus.

We are called to love like Jesus.

We are to imitate what he did while he lived and walked on this earth.

We extend grace.

We offer forgiveness.

We lay down our lives for others.

We pursue godliness.

We exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

We preach the gospel.

We avoid sin.

To love and be devoted to Jesus means that we walk in his footsteps and we life a life that brings glory, honor, and praise to him.

Obeying Jesus out of love for him is so important that just in these 16 verses he says it 3 times.

jn 14.15 “15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”

jn 14.21 “21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me...””

jn 14.23 “23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.

That’s an awful heavy load.

It seems impossible.

How can a Follower of Jesus do such a thing?

John 14:16–17 CSB

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

Paraclete

So, Here’s the beauty and grace of Jesus.

We are called to obey his commands.

Commands that are weighty and difficult in our own power.

But he tells us we won’t have to do it on our own.

He is going to send someone to help us.

We will not be alone to try and do what runs counter to our human nature.

We will have a helper.

John is the only NT author to use this particular word and translators have a hard time defining the word.

The Word is Paraclete.

And it can be translated Counselor, Helper, Advocate, or Comforter.

One who comes alongside.

And the Word Paraclete means all of those things.

It was most often used in a legal sense in Greek.

As an advocate for someone on trial, but for the purposes of this Sermon and the Rest of the Series, I am going to use the word Paraclete.

So when you here me say Paraclete, think about all those descriptions. Helper, Counselor, Advocate, and Comforter.

But the most important thing I want you to take away from this is that it’s less about the Paraclete’s job and more about his substance.

Notice what Jesus says in v. 16. “He will give you another Paraclete to be with you forever.”

This is important and we are going to get a little into the weeds with Greek for just a minute, but hold tight and we will be done before you know it.

When Jesus says another here there are two words in Greek that could have been used.

Either allos or heteros.

Now Heteros means another that is different in nature.

But Allos means another that is the same kind.

And with Paraclete Jesus uses word Allos.

Meaning that the Paraclete is of the same nature as Jesus.

So Just as Jesus walked with the disciples.

In that same way the Paraclete will walk with the disciples.

So they won’t be left alone to figure this Jesus stuff out on their own.

They will receive one just like Jesus to help them navigate how to live their lives to the glory of God.

And though Jesus was only with them for 3 years.

The Paraclete will be with them forever.

To the very end.

Jesus gives another description of the Paraclete by telling us that “He is the Spirit of Truth.”

We will look at later in chapter 16 what this actually means.

But this means that the Spirit is going to lead them into all Truth.

He is truth. He exposes the lies of the world.

As he exposes the truth of Jesus.

Jesus tells us in v.17 that the world is unable to receive him.

Remember In John’s gospel the world refers to those that oppose Jesus.

Those that hate the things of God.

They are those in rebellion against our Holy God.

John makes a distinct difference between those who love God and those that don’t.

They are categorized in his gospel as either the Jews or the World.

But both categories stand against Jesus and his way.

B/c they hate God and everything he stands for they cannot accept the spirit of truth.

B/c he is God.

But for those that Love Jesus and obey his commandments.

They know the Spirit of truth.

They live by the Spirit of Truth.

They are in union with the spirit of truth.

And The spirit of Truth, the Paraclete, will remain with and in the ones who Love Jesus.

He will dwell in the hearts, minds, and actions of those who love Jesus.

Unlike Jesus who has to go away.

Who is returning to the Father.

The Paraclete will make its dwelling place with those who love Jesus.

We will never be alone.

No matter where we go or what we go through we aren’t alone.

The God of the universe lives inside of us.

He dwells with us.

So when we die we will dwell with him, but as we live he dwells with us.

This is important b/c the disciples are surely feeling abandoned, anxious, and scared at the reality that Jesus is leaving.

But Jesus is going to continue to provide comfort for them.

John 14:18–21 CSB

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

Not Alone

Jesus promises that he will not leave them as orphans.

In the Greek culture, Orphans could be children that are stripped of their parents, but it can also mean disciples that are stripped of their teacher.

These few verses are bracketed by teaching on the HS.

So what is Jesus doing here.

He tells the disciples that they aren’t going to be orphans b/c they are going to receive the HS.

“Without the Spirit they would be as children with a father, a slave without a master, or disciples without a teacher. They would be all alone.”

But Jesus promises that he isn’t going to leave them all alone.

But what does Jesus mean by “I am coming to you?”

This couldn’t simply be about the spirit.

It’s too personal.

Jesus is God and the Spirit is God, but Jesus specifically talks about him coming to them.

Jesus is speaking about his resurrection.

He is going to come to his disciples and verify all the claims he has made about being the messiah the Son of God.

Jesus wouldn’t appear to the world after his resurrection.

He only appeared to those that believed in him.

One commentator put it this way:

John 12–21 (2) The Postresurrection Coming of Jesus (14:18–24)

The crucifixion was the event that would separate Jesus from both the disciples and the world in general (“not see me,” 14:19). The resurrection, however, was the event that divided the disciples from the world; for while the world continued in their blindness, the disciples were able at that point to see him (“you will see me”)

They will be separated for a little while, but Jesus is reassuring them that they will be reunited.

He also drops a hint for all believers at all times.

In v. 19, Jesus says “because I live, You will live too.”

B/c of Jesus’ resurrection.

B/c he’s not dead.

We will have eternal life.

This is the hope for the Christian.

Jesus isn’t dead. He’s alive.

And because he’s alive all the promises he made will come to pass.

He will give us eternal life.

If we believe in him. If we trust in him.

Physical death is a certainty. But through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection we can have eternal life.

Because he lives, I can live too.

Jesus’ sacrifice overcame sin.

It overcame death.

Jesus demonstrates his power b/c he lives.

In v. 20, Jn 14.20 “20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.”

When the Disciples see Jesus on that fateful Easter Morning, they will know that the Father and Jesus are one.

That Jesus was sent by the father to accomplish everlasting life.

But he makes further promise to the disciples.

Jesus is in the Father.

We are in Jesus, and He is in us.

So if we are in Jesus, he is in us.

And he is in the Father.

So by the transitive property.

We are in the Father b/c we are in Jesus.

We have access to Triune God.

He lives in us.

So if we are in Jesus, we are never separated from God.

We are Never Alone.

God will never leave us.

He will never forsake us.

In fact, he made his dwelling place inside of us.

And if we love Jesus and demonstrate that love by obeying what he has told us, then we will be loved by the father too.

Living out obedience to Jesus is in step with what Jesus did for the Father.

Jesus’ sacrifice was approved of b/c of his obedience to what the Father had set before him.

And if we are going to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, if we are going to claim we love Jesus then we need to walk in that same level of obedience.

Again Jesus states that he is going to reveal himself to those who love him.

This is another promise that the disciples are going to see Jesus after his resurrection.

He is going to make a special visit to help solidify their understanding of him as the the way, truth, and life.

But this is confusing to one of the disciples, so he is going to ask again for clarity on what Jesus means.

John 14:22–26 CSB

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Promise of the Spirit

Judas asks a question of Jesus.

Why are you going to reveal yourself us, but not everyone?

What is Jesus’ reasoning?

He only reveals himself to those he loves.

To those that obey him.

To those that seek him.

And for those that love him and obey him, they will be loved by the Father.

But those that don’t obey his words don’t love him.

So he isn’t going to show up to them.

He and the Father aren’t going to dwell in them.

One of the principles we can glean from this is that there are many people who like the idea of Jesus, but don’t actually love Jesus.

We all know people that claim to be Christians, but we see no fruit in their life.

They aren’t actually in love with Jesus.

And we know that b/c they don’t obey what Jesus has said.

They aren’t even trying to be like Jesus.

There are even people in our churches that don’t love Jesus yet they show up every week, b/c it is “the right thing to do”

But They don’t love Jesus.

And b/c they don’t love Jesus they aren’t apart of the family.

They don’t get the promises of God.

They can do all the “right things” and still miss Jesus.

Jesus cares first about our love for him then about our devotion to him.

Because love won’t just change our behavior, it will change everything about about us.

I’ve known people who are in church every time the doors are open, they give of their money, and some even give of their time, but they are the most ungodly people you could ever meet.

They serve and give under obligation, not out of love.

They are trying to earn God’s love.

They are falling into the trap of legalism.

They don’t understand the way of Jesus

Because don’t actually have the spirit of God living within them.

But keeping Jesus’ word isn’t about legalism, it is adopting the same mindset and pattern of Jesus. Commitment and obedience out of love and devotion, not duty and fear.

And now, for the second time in these verses, Jesus points to the reality of the Holy Spirit, that the disciples will not be left alone.

But this time with the Paraclete, the HS, we get just a little more information.

He is going to be sent by the Father, In Jesus’ Name, and he is going to remind the disciples of all that he taught and said.

Jesus didn’t want them to forget what they had learned.

So he sent the Spirit to help them write down and to teach what he taught them.

It’s beautiful that now we have that same HS working in us to remind us of the things that Jesus said and taught.

But in order for the HS to do that, we have to know what Jesus said and taught.

There have been many times I have either been in conversations with someone or even when I’m preaching or teaching and I feel remember something that I read that could help convey the truth.

That’s the prompting of the HS reminding us of what we have read or studied.

But we have to be in his word.

We have to have that in our minds so that he can bring it to our minds.

We need the tools in our tool box.

I also want us to see this, the Spirit doesn’t add to Jesus’ teaching.

He doesn’t change Jesus’ teaching.

He only brings to mind the things that Jesus said.

Meaning that the Spirit isn’t into special revelation that is found outside the Scriptures.

People have used the HS as a weapon to explain their own horrible motives and interpretations.

But we must know, that the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are all on the same Page.

They will never differ from one another.

We can’t just say… “I feel like the HS is teaching me xyz”

Whatever the Spirit is teaching us has to be in line with what Jesus taught and what God has revealed throughout the entirety of Scripture.

The leading and teaching of the HS will never contradict what God has already revealed to us in his Word and in Jesus.

Jesus wants his disciples to know that they are going to be okay when he leaves.

B/c he will appear to them after his resurrection, they will receive the Paraclete, and he is going to provide them peace.

John 14:27–31 CSB

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me. 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me. “Get up; let’s leave this place.

Peace

A common farewell in Jesus day was to wish someone peace.

However, Jesus is not simply wishing them a common farewell.

He says he is going to grant them peace.

He is going to leave them with Peace.

Not just any old peace, but his Peace.

A Peace that surpasses all understanding.

Often times when we think of Peace we think of a lack of conflict.

But the peace that Jesus leaves with us came through great violence.

And the ultimate peace that Jesus gave was peace with God.

We are no longer under the wrath of God, but we have been made right with him.

We have been made right with God b/c of Jesus’ Sacrifice.

Peace usually comes through a battle.

But our battle has already been won.

We have Peace with God b/c of Jesus.

Jesus offers peace to those that love him.

Everyone else.

the world is under the wrath of God.

But Jesus, took that wrath upon himself.

He defeated sin, death, and the devil.

Jesus wants his disciples to know that the peace he gives is not like the world’s peace.

His is eternal.

It isn’t forced by the sword.

It isn’t manipulated.

It is achieved through his sacrifice.

And that is why he tells his disciples that they should rejoice at his departure.

B/c of his leaving greater things are yet to come.

Things are only going to get better after his sacrifice.

And he knows they can’t see it now, that’s why he has promised his resurrection, spirit, and life in the Father.

He also wants to reassure his disciples that what is happening isn’t a surprise to him.

In v. 30, Jn 14.30 “30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.”

Satan has no power over Jesus.

It may look like Jesus was going to lose, but any power that the enemy has, has been given to him.

Jesus is willing to give that power to the enemy for the purpose of the Father being glorified.

Jesus loves the Father and so he obeys the Father.

Jesus models the life for the believer.

If we love Jesus we will obey him, just like he loves the father and obeys him.

These promises of resurrection, the spirit, and peace are the offered to all believers at all times.

If you love, trust and obey Jesus, then you will receive these promises.

But if you don’t you will receive the wrath of God.

Have you placed your trust in Jesus?

Have you commited your life to listening and obeying him?

If not, he is calling you today?

He wants to save you.

Answer him.

If you claim to be a Christian, I want you to take a minute and check your heart.

Are you playing the part of Christian or are you actually living it out?

Are you living in obedience to Jesus or are you playing games?

He wants us to love him deeply.

He wants us to obey him unashamedly.

If you aren’t obeying Jesus then you don’t belong to him.

Let’s pray.