As I Have Loved You
Text: John 13:34-35
24 March 2016
THE FULLNESS OF LOVE
1. This was obvious
2. Jesus had a wonderful relationship with His Father
3. He often spoke of the love of God
a) For the world
b) For the Son
THE FEATURES OF CHRIST’S LOVE
1. This is seen in His compassion
2. It is further evidenced in His ministry to the sick
3. It was most clear when it came to His followers
a) For Lazarus and family (John 11:3)
b) For His disciples (John 13:1)
c) For John (John 13:23)
THE FOCUS ON LOVE
1. Jesus taught this as a commandment
2. He expected His disciples to love each other
3. The benchmark was His own love for His brethren
4. The sum total of the Law debated (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31)
a) To love the Lord with all one’s heart, mind and soul
b) To love one’s neighbor as oneself
c) Love is fulfilment of the Law (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:10)
FATAL DANGER IF THERE IS A LACK OF LOVE
1. Without this love from the Lord
The danger of betrayal is very real (John 13:21)
2. Without a strong love for the Lord
The danger of being under attack by the Evil One is just as real (John 13:26)
3. Without love for one another the Band of Disciples would be split asunder
4. Without love for one another the church would be in danger
FULFILMENT OF THIS COMMANDMENT
1. When we abide in Christ and His love
2. When we experience the reality of Christ and His love personally
3.When we practise what Christ has commanded
POEM-PRAYER
TEACH US HOW TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Father in heaven, hear this prayer we make on bended knee,
Forgive our foolishness, our sins; we plead in humility.
We confess our hearts are not filled with much love at all,
We need to be cleansed, and on You, we humbly call.
The Lord Jesus has loved us when we were sinners still,
He came and wonderfully fulfilled Your divine will.
From Him we received the promise of salvation full and free,
We know that He suffered much, out of love for Thee.
We ask that we may have hearts that would truly obey,
We confess that our lives are often in total disarray.
Create in us a new spirit, broken in deep contrition,
May we have hearts that are filled with compassion.
Teach us how to love one another as Jesus commanded,
Fill us with a divine love that cannot be comprehended.
May our hearts and minds be touched by Your love again!
May there be a revived spirit that is able to sing Love’s refrain.
Inspiration: John 13:34-35
Written: 24 March 2016