Loving Like Jesus
Mark of a True Christian
John 13:34-35
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Introduction
We all remember the sports clip from 2008.
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- With two runners on base and a strike against her Sara Tucholsky, of Western Oregon Univ., unleashed a homerun.
- Was her first since high school!
- When she tagged first base she injured her knee and collapsed.
- She could not go around...she had to touch all bases and homeplate for her three run homer to count.
- The opposing team first baseman and shortstop asked picked her up and carried her around the bases...even though it meant they were eliminated from the playoffs.
The crowd went wild! Everyone rose to their feet and applauded!
What did they see that day?
- They saw sportsmanship, but they also saw love in action.
- And it affected others!
To love like Jesus let’s consider...what is the true mark of a true Christian?
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Text
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 13:34-35
Jesus told His disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- Show love and other will notice!
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“love one another” - this is not just a passing comment from Jesus.
- These three words became a royal law of the Kingdom.
- These words were to be a crucial part of the Christian’s life!
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- In Galatians 5 we find that it is a mark of the Spirit being alive in a Christian.
- In fact, in vs. 22-23 we find that it is first on the list...something that we are known for.
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This phrase is used 14-15 times in the NT.
- Gal 6:2 - “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
- 1 Thess 5:11 - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
- Heb. 10:24 - “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,”
“Whoever loves much does much” - Thomas a’ Kempis
Go back to those FoS in Galatians 5.
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- We know the FoS, we love the FoS!...they make us all warm and fuzzy!
- They are actually an end to something less than comfortable.
- vs. 14 begins with, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Then it makes a turn or shift in vs. 15, “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
- Then Paul discusses the opposite of the FoS...the “works of the flesh” in vs. 19-21
- NOTICE the warning in vs. 21, “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
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Why do people act this way?
- Only one reason...SIN!
- Sin drives our desire to judge!
- Sin makes us want to play God.
- This is who the Pharisees acted!
Lesson - How can we avoid being like the Pharisees?
Realize and come to an understanding that “all are sinners”
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Rom 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
- Everyone stumbles, everyone falls short, everyone can be criticized, everyone can be condemned!
- ONLY God can pass judgement!
ILLUS - Max Lucado wrote:
- “Be careful! The Peter who denies Jesus at tonight’s fire may proclaim him with fire at tomorrow’s Pentecost.
- The Samson who is blind and weak today may use his final strength to level the pillars of godlessness.
- A stuttering shepherd in this generation may be the mighty Moses of the next.
- Don’t call Noah a fool, you may be asking him for a lift.”
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My point is this...we all fall but God can use us all.
- 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
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Accept that God demands that we love one another
What is the love chapter? 1 Cor. 13
- Were the Corinthians known for love?
- NO...far from it!
- They were selfish, self righteous, had a judgement spirit, and didn’t know love!
- Contrast that with 1 Cor. 13:48, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
According to Peter, “ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
According to Proverbs, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” Prov. 10:12
ACTION STEP
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What is the objective of being a Christian?
- To show the love of Christ, and pick up our bro. and sis. when they fall!
- How can I win them?
- By loving them!
- “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Conclusion
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This entire lesson series had had this purpose...for us to love like Jesus.
- When we had nothing to give, Jesus stepped in and said, “I’ve got this covered.”
- “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8
What will your response to this love be?
- Everyone will respond today.
- Some will reject and other will accept.
- Will you accept Him today?
What do I have to do?
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