Marked By Love
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Introduction
Introduction
Clarence Jordan was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister's church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decoration. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple. "That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars," the minister said with a satisfied smile. "You got cheated," said Jordan. "Times were when Christians could get them for free."
The deeper things of the Christian life are simply a deeper love and commitment to Christ.
The deeper things of the Christian life are simply a deeper love and commitment to Christ.
Christianity is simple…die to sin, receive His payment for your sins on the cross, love Jesus and give your life to Him. In the section of John’s gospel we begin studying today Jesus begins to teach the simple Gospel and what it means for the life of a believer in Christ.
These verses begin a section of scripture only meant for committed believers in Christ. This is graduate school, advanced discipleship class, the Christianity 201, 301, 401 courses all rolled into one.
We begin with the subject of glory...
God is holy, perfect and lacks nothing — I remember someone telling me as a child that God created humans because He needed fellowship…this isn’t scriptural. There is no truth in that statement.
Wayne Grudem — “People have sometimes thought that God created human beings because he was lonely and needed fellowship with other persons. If this were true, it would certainly mean that God is not completely independent of creation.
It would mean that God would need to create persons in order to be completely happy or completely fulfilled in his personal existence.” — Wayne Grudem
God created everything and is completely independent of His creation. In Himself, He contains everything He could ever need.
“For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills.
“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
“If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.
So why did God create us? God created us so He might glorify Himself through the meeting of our needs.
Glorify — To give praise, to exalt, to attribute greatness or magnificence.
Hillbilly Definition of Glorify — To demonstrate the character and power of God.
So God intended for us to be a means by whom God might exalt Himself and demonstrate His greatness and magnificence
Originally God meant to glorify Himself through the meeting of our needs in a perfect world without sin. God would meet all of our needs, in every possible way and demonstrate His character and power.
But, we sinned against God and required a different way for God to meet our needs and glorify Himself…Our needs now are for salvation from sin and death. This would require the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Think of that last point for a moment. Who has ever returned from their grave, never to return? Only one…Jesus. And the promise is that someday we too will leave our own grave forever as well…all by and through His power.
So in meeting our need for salvation from sin and death, God the Son glorified Himself and the Father.
Jesus begins by stating that He, the Son of Man, is now glorified and that God is also glorified in Him.
Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;
Glorify — To give praise, to exalt, to attribute greatness or magnificence.
The glory of the Father and Son were wrapped up in each other. When the Son is glorified so too is the Father.
Hillbilly Definition of Glorify — To demonstrate the character and power of God.
The moment Judas departed things went into motion so the glorification of the Son might begin. Jesus would be lifted up as the Messiah. He would be God’s sacrificial love for the redemption of sinners.
The glory of the Father and Son were wrapped up in each other. When the Son is glorified so too is the Father.
The resurrection would glorify the Son in that it demonstrated the victory of the Son over death. This latter glorification would happen straightaway, at once. This was not something that would happen at the end of the age but right away. Specifically, after three days in the tomb.
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that His death and resurrection would show them something of God’s heart and power. Together they would demonstrate the infinite love and power of God.
God is glorified in the passion of Jesus, Jesus would be glorified in heaven
God loves us — This is a simple little phrase isn’t it. It can be a platitude. A little three word sentence to throw out at times of joy and sorrow. But, it is more than all of that.
However, the love of God carries a weight and significance we can only begin to understand in the cross of Jesus and the glory of God revealed there.
God is holy, perfect and lacks nothing — I remember someone telling me as a child that God created humans because He needed fellowship…this isn’t scriptural. There is no truth in that statement.
Wayne Grudem — “People have sometimes thought that God created human beings because he was lonely and needed fellowship with other persons. If this were true, it would certainly mean that God is not completely independent of creation. It would mean that God would need to create persons in order to be completely happy or completely fulfilled in his personal existence.”
God created everything and is completely independent of His creation. In Himself, He contains everything He could ever need.
Jesus was about to die and go away. But He would soon thereafter be glorified by the Father again in His resurrection. It would be straight away or at once.
“For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills.
“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
“If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.
“I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
“If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains.
So why did God create us? To glorify Himself through the meeting of our needs. Originally this was to be done in a perfect world without sin. God would meet all of our needs, in every possible way and, in so doing, demonstrate His character and power.
— Wayne Grudem
But, we sinned against God and this required a different method or way in which God would glorify Himself. It would necessitate the cross and resurrection. The cross and empty tomb demonstrated God’s great love…It is infinite, not dependent upon us () and sacrificial…and His great power…even the grave could not hold Him.
Think of that last point for a moment. Who has ever returned from their grave, never to return? Only one…Jesus. And the promise is that someday we too will leave our own grave forever as well…all by and through His power.
So God is glorified in the passion and resurrection of Jesus…Showing us something of His love and power.
A New Commandment
A New Commandment
Realizing we have this privilege is the greatest gift and mystery of the Christian life. And someday this will be taken to an entirely new level...
God loves us — This is a simple little phrase isn’t it. It can be a platitude. A little three word sentence to throw out at times of joy and sorrow. But, it is more than all of that.
However, the love of God carries a weight and significance we can only begin to understand in the cross of Jesus and the glory of God revealed there.
God loves us by saving us and then loves again by permitting us to participate in His glory. To become like Him and be like Him. Not to become God but to be like God.
Part of God’s glory — Here is where it gets really exciting guys. God loves us to the extent that we are privileged to be a part of the way He glorifies Himself. We participate in His glory. Being a part of God’s glory is something beyond our comprehension. Being a means by which He reveals His glory is the highest gift creation can know.
Realizing we have this privilege is the greatest gift and mystery of the Christian life. And someday this will be taken to an entirely new level...
John Piper — Then we will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and we will become glorious as he is glorious. We will be changed by the sight of his incomparable glory. “When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (). For now, we suffer with him. But this happens “in order that we may also be glorified with him” ().
Piper Cont. — Our union with him will be changed from invisible to visible. And in him we will become glorious. “God has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (). The union will be mutually radiant, so that not only are we glorified in him, but also he in us. “The name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in him” (). And we will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father ().
Because God provided for our needs in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ we now are new creatures. We are born again. We are changed. This is an actual change not just an idea or perception. We are truly different creatures with a new nature.
John Piper — Then we will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and we will become glorious as he is glorious. We will be changed by the sight of his incomparable glory. “When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (). For now, we suffer with him. But this happens “in order that we may also be glorified with him” ().
Jesus gives a command to those who have been changed by Him through their faith…Love one another.
He says that this is a new commandment but it is not new in that God has never told His people to love one another. God tells His children to love one another.
‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
However Jesus is creating the church through His passion. He is creating a new community of people and this is His commandment to them…a new commandment for the community of believers in Christ…love one another.
Our union with him will be changed from invisible to visible. And in him we will become glorious. “God has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (). The union will be mutually radiant, so that not only are we glorified in him, but also he in us. “The name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in him” (). And we will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father ().
Piper Cont. — Our union with him will be changed from invisible to visible. And in him we will become glorious. “God has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (). The union will be mutually radiant, so that not only are we glorified in him, but also he in us. “The name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in him” (). And we will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father ().
This is not a command to love the world…but a command for believers in Christ to love one another. Doesn’t mean we are given a pass and don’t have to love those who stand separated from Christ. But, we are to love each other in such a way that is so unique and complete that it looks different from the way we love others.
Christians are supposed to love one another as Christ loved us. He demonstrated what this looked like when He washed the feet of the disciples and He demonstrated the extent of it in His death on the cross.
We are called to love one another through sacrificial service toward one another. This kind of love would be the distinguishing mark of the believer in Christ.
Love
Love
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
Jesus commands us to do this…He made it possible by making us a new creation.
God loves us — This is a simple little phrase isn’t it. It can be a platitude. A little three word sentence to throw out at times of joy and sorrow. But, it is more than all of that.
However, the love of God carries a weight and significance we can only begin to understand in the cross of Jesus and the glory of God revealed there.
So what does this look like? “This is unselfish love, self giving love, it is love without the expectation of returned affection. It is pure love, the love that acts simply out of the conviction that the right thing must be done for another human being.”
One of the ways God loves us is by saving us from sin and death. Another way He loves us is by permitting us to participate in His glory. To become like Him and be like Him. Not to become God but to be like God.
I took Helen (eight years old) and Brandon (five years old) to the Cloverleaf Mall in Hattiesburg to do a little shopping. As we drove up, we spotted a Peterbilt eighteen-wheeler parked with a big sign on it that said, "Petting Zoo." The kids jumped up in a rush and asked, "Daddy, Daddy. Can we go? Please. Please. Can we go?"
"Sure," I said, flipping them both a quarter before walking into Sears. They bolted away, and I felt free to take my time looking for a scroll saw. A petting zoo consists of a portable fence erected in the mall with about six inches of sawdust and a hundred little furry baby animals of all kinds. Kids pay their money and stay in the enclosure enraptured with the squirmy little critters while their moms and dads shop.
"Sure," I said, flipping them both a quarter before walking into Sears. They bolted away, and I felt free to take my time looking for a scroll saw. A petting zoo consists of a portable fence erected in the mall with about six inches of sawdust and a hundred little furry baby animals of all kinds. Kids pay their money and stay in the enclosure enraptured with the squirmy little critters while their moms and dads shop.
A few minutes later, I turned around and saw Helen walking along behind me. I was shocked to see she preferred the hardware department to the petting zoo. Recognizing my error, I bent down and asked her what was wrong.
A few minutes later, I turned around and saw Helen walking along behind me. I was shocked to see she preferred the hardware department to the petting zoo. Recognizing my error, I bent down and asked her what was wrong.
She looked up at me with those giant limpid brown eyes and said sadly, "Well, Daddy, it cost fifty cents. So, I gave Brandon my quarter." Then she said the most beautiful thing I ever heard. She repeated the family motto. The family motto is in "Love is Action!" She had given Brandon her quarter, and no one loves cuddly furry creatures more than Helen.
She looked up at me with those giant limpid brown eyes and said sadly, "Well, Daddy, it cost fifty cents. So, I gave Brandon my quarter." Then she said the most beautiful thing I ever heard. She repeated the family motto. The family motto is in "Love is Action!"
She had given Brandon her quarter, and no one loves cuddly furry creatures more than Helen. She had watched Sandy take my steak and say, "Love is Action!" She had watched both of us do and say "Love is Action!" for years around the house and Kings Arrow Ranch. She had heard and seen "Love is Action," and now she had incorporated it into her little lifestyle. It had become part of her.
What do you think I did? Well, not what you might think. As soon as I finished my errands, I took Helen to the petting zoo. We stood by the fence and watched Brandon go crazy petting and feeding the animals. Helen stood with her hands and chin resting on the fence and just watched Brandon. I had fifty cents burning a hole in my pocket; I never offered it to Helen, and she never asked for it.
What do you think I did? Well, not what you might think. As soon as I finished my errands, I took Helen to the petting zoo. We stood by the fence and watched Brandon go crazy petting and feeding the animals. Helen stood with her hands and chin resting on the fence and just watched Brandon. I had fifty cents burning a hole in my pocket; I never offered it to Helen, and she never asked for it.
Because she knew the whole family motto. It's not "Love is Action." It's "Love is SACRIFICIAL Action!" Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive. When you love, benefits accrue to another's account. Love is for you, not for me. Love gives; it doesn't grab. Helen gave her quarter to Brandon and wanted to follow through with her lesson. She knew she had to taste the sacrifice. She wanted to experience that total family motto. Love is sacrificial action.
Because she knew the whole family motto. It's not "Love is Action." It's "Love is SACRIFICIAL Action!" Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive. When you love, benefits accrue to another's account. Love is for you, not for me. Love gives; it doesn't grab. Helen gave her quarter to Brandon and wanted to follow through with her lesson. She knew she had to taste the sacrifice. She wanted to experience that total family motto. Love is sacrificial action.
We are called to love one another through sacrificial service. This kind of love would be the distinguishing mark of the believer in Christ.
Our love for one another is the marker, identifier, the clear indication that we are believers in Christ.
Such acts of love cause the unbelieving world to take notice of us. Causes them to realize there is something genuinely different about us.
Part of God’s glory — Here is where it gets really exciting guys. God loves us to the extent that we are privileged to be a part of the way He glorifies Himself. We participate in His glory. Being a part of God’s glory is something beyond our comprehension. Being a means by which He reveals His glory is the highest gift creation can know.
“We are not His disciples because we demonstrate this kind of love to one another, but if we are his disciples, this is not an option.”
Realizing we have this privilege is the greatest gift and mystery of the Christian life. And someday this will be taken to an entirely new level...
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
You cannot harbor hate toward anyone but especially not another believer in Christ. If you can do so it is an indication there is something seriously wrong with you…you very well may not be a believer in Christ at all.
John Piper — Then we will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and we will become glorious as he is glorious. We will be changed by the sight of his incomparable glory. “When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (). For now, we suffer with him. But this happens “in order that we may also be glorified with him” ().
Piper Cont. — Our union with him will be changed from invisible to visible. And in him we will become glorious. “God has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (). The union will be mutually radiant, so that not only are we glorified in him, but also he in us. “The name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in him” (). And we will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father ().
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus didn’t say they would know us by our buildings…our organizations…our politics…our shouting, arguing or debating skills. He said they would know us by our love. Specifically, our love for each other.
Note — He didn’t say they would know us by our love for Him! But our love for each other. It is easy to love Jesus…after all He loves us perfectly...loving each other can sometimes be a bit of a challenge!
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."
Our love for one another is the marker, and identifier of our relationship with Christ. It is the primary means by which we can glorify God on this side of heaven.
Our need for salvation has been met in Jesus. Our deliverance from sin has been met in Him. Our deliverance from death has been met in Him. He has saved and changed us. This enables us to love as we ourselves have been loved.
Serve and sacrifice for one another. Jesus washed our feet and died on the cross for our sins. We should do the same for one another. We should serve serve serve in whatever capacity we can to love one another. There should be no limits…nothing beneath us.
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
We should put the needs of others ahead of our own. We should love one another sacrificially. This means it will cost us something. It might cost us time, money, it might cause an inconvenience. But nothing should separate or impede us from loving one another.
When we love one another like Jesus has loves us, it glorifies God. It testifies to the way God has met all of our needs in Jesus. It makes much of Him to a world lost in darkness.
Jesus didn’t say they would know us by our buildings…our organizations…our politics…our shouting, arguing or debating skills. He said they would know us by our love.
The glory of God is something to be enjoyed but it is also something in which to participate. In fact, one day we will
Agape love — Sacrificial, selfless, Christ like love.
We really need to make sure we are loving each other this way…especially in those moments when we disagree with one another.
There is no greater privilege in this world than the opportunity to glorify Christ. We do this by living out our purpose as redeemed humanity…we testify to how god has met our needs…primarily of which is the need for salvation.