Living Out Jesus' Command: Love in Community
Summary
In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives a new commandment to His disciples: to love one another as He has loved them. This love is not just a feeling but a self-sacrificial, forgiving, and serving love that distinguishes His followers from the world. In today's culture, rampant individualism has led many to believe they can follow Jesus alone, without the church. However, Jesus never intended for His disciples to walk this journey of faith in isolation. He created us for loving community, where we can grow together, support one another, and demonstrate His love to the world.
The love Jesus commands is not merely about tolerating or affirming others but involves a deeper, self-sacrificing commitment. It is a love that forgives, serves, and edifies. Jesus' love for us was forgiving, compelling Him to die on the cross for our sins. As His disciples, we are called to forgive one another, just as He forgave us. This forgiveness is crucial because unforgiveness can rob the church of its power and create division.
Moreover, Jesus' love was a serving love. He humbled Himself to serve others, and we are called to do the same. In the church, we should not seek to be served but to serve others, putting their needs above our own. This serving love is a tangible expression of Jesus' love and is essential for building a loving community.
Jesus' love was also an edifying love, one that built up His disciples and transformed them. We are called to encourage and spur one another on in the faith, looking for the good in others rather than focusing on their flaws. This edifying love helps us grow together as a community and strengthens our witness to the world.
Finally, Jesus' love is a unifying love that brings together people from diverse backgrounds into one body. In the church, we must practice biblical unity, avoiding cliques and divisions. Our love for one another should be evident to the world, proving that we are truly His disciples.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-sacrificial love is a distinguishing mark of Jesus' disciples. This love goes beyond mere tolerance or affirmation and involves a deep commitment to forgive, serve, and edify one another. [06:22]
- Forgiveness is essential in the church. Unforgiveness can create division and rob the church of its power. We must forgive one another as Christ forgave us, allowing His love to flow freely among us. [15:26]
- Serving one another is a tangible expression of Jesus' love. We are called to humble ourselves and serve others, putting their needs above our own. This serving love builds a strong, loving community. [22:14]
- Edifying love builds up the church. We should encourage and spur one another on in the faith, focusing on the good in others rather than their flaws. This love strengthens our community and witness. [30:50]
- Unity in the church is vital. Jesus' love brings diverse people together as one body. We must practice biblical unity, avoiding cliques and divisions, and demonstrating our love for one another to the world. [33:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - The Challenge of Individualism
[04:02] - The Need for Community
[04:54] - A New Commandment
[06:22] - Self-Sacrificial Love
[07:28] - Misconceptions of Love
[09:20] - Context of Jesus' Command
[10:18] - Loving Inside and Outside the Church
[12:02] - Radical Love in the Church
[13:10] - Loving Like Jesus
[14:52] - Forgiving Love
[22:14] - Serving Love
[24:31] - Edifying Love
[33:05] - Unifying Love
[41:23] - Love as Evidence of Discipleship
[49:37] - Building Authentic Relationships
[59:39] - The Importance of Community
[01:01:27] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 13:34-35
Observation Questions:
1. What is the new commandment that Jesus gives to His disciples in John 13:34-35? How does this commandment distinguish His followers from others? [04:54]
2. According to the sermon, what are some misconceptions about love that are prevalent in today's culture? [07:28]
3. How does the sermon describe the context in which Jesus gave the commandment to love one another? [09:20]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of forgiveness within the church community? [15:26]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of self-sacrificial love challenge the individualistic mindset prevalent in today's culture? [02:24]
2. In what ways does serving others within the church reflect Jesus' love, and why is this important for building a loving community? [22:14]
3. How can edifying love transform relationships within the church, and what role does encouragement play in this process? [30:50]
4. What does biblical unity look like in a diverse church community, and how can it serve as a witness to the world? [33:05]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to forgive someone in the church. How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to foster forgiveness in your current relationships? [15:26]
2. Consider your role in the church community. How can you actively serve others and put their needs above your own this week? [22:14]
3. Identify someone in your church who may need encouragement. What specific actions can you take to build them up and demonstrate edifying love? [30:50]
4. Think about a situation where you may have contributed to division within the church. How can you work towards reconciliation and unity? [33:05]
5. How can you ensure that your love for others in the church is more than just words? What practical steps can you take to show genuine love and acceptance? [49:37]
6. Reflect on your personal experience with cliques or exclusive groups within the church. How can you help create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for newcomers? [36:20]
7. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to better embody the self-sacrificial love that Jesus commands? [06:22]
Devotional
Day 1: The Mark of Self-Sacrificial Love
The love that Jesus commands His disciples to exhibit is not a superficial or fleeting emotion but a profound, self-sacrificial commitment. This love is characterized by a willingness to put others' needs above one's own, mirroring the love Jesus demonstrated through His life and death. It is a love that goes beyond mere tolerance or affirmation, requiring a deep commitment to forgive, serve, and edify one another. This self-sacrificial love is what sets Jesus' followers apart from the world, serving as a testament to their faith and devotion. [06:22]
1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can put someone else's needs above your own today. How can you demonstrate self-sacrificial love in a tangible way?
Day 2: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the love Jesus calls His disciples to embody. Unforgiveness can create division and rob the church of its power, hindering the flow of God's love among His people. As Christ forgave us, we are called to forgive one another, allowing His love to heal and restore relationships. This act of forgiveness is not just a personal choice but a communal necessity, vital for maintaining unity and strength within the church. [15:26]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Identify someone you need to forgive. What steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness and reconciliation?
Day 3: Serving Others as Jesus Did
Jesus' love was a serving love, characterized by humility and a focus on others' needs. In the church, believers are called to emulate this serving love, prioritizing service over being served. This tangible expression of love is essential for building a strong, loving community, where members support and uplift one another. By serving others, believers not only follow Jesus' example but also strengthen the bonds of fellowship within the church. [22:14]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Consider a practical way you can serve someone in your church or community this week. How can you make serving others a regular part of your life?
Day 4: Building Up Through Edifying Love
Edifying love is a transformative force within the church, encouraging and spurring believers on in their faith. This love focuses on the good in others, seeking to build them up rather than tear them down. By practicing edifying love, believers contribute to the growth and strength of their community, enhancing their collective witness to the world. This love is not only about personal growth but also about fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for all. [30:50]
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV): "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Reflection: Think of someone you can encourage today. What specific words or actions can you use to build them up in their faith journey?
Day 5: Unity Through Love
Jesus' love is a unifying force, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds into one body. In the church, believers are called to practice biblical unity, avoiding cliques and divisions. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus' love. By loving one another, believers show that they are truly His disciples, united in purpose and mission. [33:05]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on any divisions or cliques you see in your church community. How can you actively promote unity and inclusivity among your fellow believers?
Quotes
Self-sacrificial love for one another is a distinguishing mark of disciples of Jesus. Let me say that again. Self-sacrificial love for one another is a distinguishing mark of Jesus. It's a distinguishing mark of disciples of Jesus. Self-sacrificing love. We should expect to see that from the follower of Jesus. Sadly, today, in most churches, we don't see that, do we? [00:06:12] (41 seconds)
The fact is, we need to understand that Jesus never intended us to walk this walk of faith alone. He never envisioned a time when we would say things such as, well, I'm a Christian and I believe in Jesus and I love Jesus, but I can't stand the church. He never... He never envisioned a day when we would say that, and so many people, when we would say it, would say, amen, brother, I know exactly what you mean. [00:03:23] (34 seconds)
Jesus' love for us was a forgiving love. Jesus' love for God and his disciples, present and future, compelled him to die on the cross. So that we should be forgiven. That's how Jesus loved us. His was a forgiving love. And because Jesus forgave us, we must forgive one another. [00:14:28] (35 seconds)
If we can't forgive people in this room, how are we going to forgive those outside in the world? You know, so often the enemy uses unforgiveness to rob the church of her power. You ever walked in a church and immediately felt the tension? I was asked to preach one time at a church for a revival service and I knew the pastor and who had invited me and I knew some of the backstory that they were going through some significant conflict within the church. [00:15:45] (46 seconds)
Jesus' love was also an edifying love. Jesus' love changed the disciples. They became new creations because He expressed His love to them by being with them and caring about them. Friends, because Jesus built us up, we must learn to build one another up. We love like Jesus when we encourage and spur one another on in the faith. [00:24:31] (37 seconds)
Jesus reminds us that the love that disciples display for one another proves that we are Jesus' disciples. Listen to this. By this, all men, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. Did you hear that? The world's watching, y'all. The world out there is watching. [00:41:23] (39 seconds)
Let's make sure everybody feels welcome. Let's not deal in innuendo. And I think she doesn't like me. Or I think he doesn't like me. Let's not deal with that. Let's not deal with that. Let's try to build relationships with each other that are real, that are authentic. That God can use to spur each of us along and become deeper followers of Jesus. [00:49:37] (25 seconds)
Let's not let the enemy tear us apart. Because you see, the strength in this room is in the love of Jesus Christ flowing through us to one another and ultimately to the world. But if there's a break, if there's a break, if there's a break here because he's been a penhead, if there's a break, then that stops the flow of God's love. It stops it dead. [00:51:51] (32 seconds)
We need to be together because that fire, it spreads among us. Now, I might be that weak little coal on the edge every now and then. But there are other times when I'm that coal right there in the center burning for all I'm worth. And it's the same with you. Some days you might come in here, and you might be that weak little coal. And you need the other coals to get you fired back up. [01:00:26] (30 seconds)
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