Reflections on Sunday’s Sermon

Prayer

As you begin your study this week, spend a few moments thanking Jesus for the love He demonstrated in laying down His life for you (John 15:12-13). Thank Him for graciously choosing you and appointing you to bear fruit in His name (15:16). As you pray, make the following words your own before the Lord (prayer taken from Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith).

“Jesus, there are times when just the right Scripture comes into view at just the right time…These words, your words, cut through my confusion and cut to the chase. Because you love me, I’m to obey you…
The hardest part is to believe you actually love us as much as the Father loves you. How can you possibly love us with the same passion and delight you’ve enjoyed from the Father throughout eternity? Every time I ask you that question, you direct my gaze to the cross. Because you were obedient to death upon the cross, I can be certain of God’s love for me.
Here’s where my obedience comes in. I’m to remain in your love by my obedience in the same way you remained in the Father’s love by your obedience. Obviously this doesn’t mean you earned his love, any more than I can earn your love. I can see how your obedience to the Father’s commands was a primary way of communing with him — of enjoying your relationship with him and bringing him great glory. You spoke of his will being your bread, and bread is a life-sustaining gift.

May the same be true in my life, Jesus. Deepen my awareness of your love for me, even as you draw forth a more consuming and consistent obedience to your commands. Because the gospel is true, your commands are not burdensome to me. They are beautiful. They are bread. They are life. I have been saved by your obedience; be glorified in mine. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Scripture

John 15:12-17 - (English Standard Version)

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

Handling the Word

Jesus’ words in our passage this week continue to build upon that which He said in immediately preceding verses (John 15:1-11). Reread those verses and summarize them below. What is the main idea, or theme, in those verses that Jesus builds upon in our text this week?

Understanding and Applying

In our passage this week, Jesus continues the theme of commanding his disciples to “love one another” (v. 12). Notice that he bookeneds the command in v. 12 and v. 17, and again Jesus add’s the phrase, “as I have loved you” (v. 12). Remember that Jesus said a very similar statement in John 13:34,35. Why is that phrase important to our understanding of how we are to love one another? Why is it so crucial that we love one another? Does this love for one another come naturally? Why or why not?
In what practical ways are you loving the bretheren at Living Grace Community Church? How might you increase your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ? What might you do to love better?
John 15:13 is one of the most quoted verses in all of the Bible. We hear it quoted often on Veterans Day or when a First Repsonder dies in the line of duty. Why do you think this verse rings so profoundly in the hearts of people everywhere? Why is this level of sacrifice the “greater love?”
In John 15:13, Jesus speaks of laying down his life for his friends. In the next verse, Jesus will call us His friends. But in reality, before we came to Jesus in repentance, were we His friends? Look up the following verses for clarity on this. After reading these verses, does v. 13 mean even more to you? How or why?
If Jesus didn’t die for you because you were His friend, why did he die for you?…Because you were such an amazing person?…Because He needed you on His team? Look up the following verses to find out at least one of the motivations of why Jesus died for you. How does this knowledge impact your own life?
Amazingly, and somewhat shockingly to the disciples, Jesus calls them “friends” in v. 14. Jesus had called Lazarus his friend, but only Abraham had been called a friend by God (James 2:23). Why would it have been particularly comforting to the disciples at this point in time to be called “friends” by Jesus? What does it mean to be the friend of Jesus? Is Jesus your friend? How might others know this to be true?
In v. 16 Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” In the context of friendship, why might this phrase be intriguing? While this concept of Jesus (or God) choosing people is not always popular, it is theologically accurate. Look up the following verses are write down what you discover aobut God’s soverign choosing of His people:
Of course there is a very real sense in which we also choose to follow Jesus or not follow Jesus. There is nothing fatalistic about the doctrine of election. While there is no doubt that God chose us first (and if he didn’t we would never choose Him) is it still true that people must still decide to follow Him? Look up the following verses that drive this point home as well:
In v. 16 Jesus says, “but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” One of the key phrases here is the statement, “that your fruit should abide.” We all know that real fruit doesn’t last forever—in fact, it doesn’t last that long at all. What kind of fruit is Jesus speaking of that would last forever? Are you producing eternal fruit or fruit that won’t last for eternity? Please explain your answer.
What truth, verse, or concept in this passage increases your love of Christ and your desire to know Him intimately? As you finish your study, spend some time praying about that truth, verse, or concept and ask the Lord to use it to lead you to worship.

“As we draw upon Christ, realizing that apart from him we can do nothing, we will love [one another]. When our relationship with God is what it ought to be, when we are walking, resting, and relying on him, it is remarkable how loving we can be!” —R. Kent Hughes