John 15:9-14 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Looking over the past year or so Jesus declares to His disciples that He loves them just as God the Father loves His only Son Jesus. That’s a whole lot of love. It’s the same love He has for all people. Jesus uses the word agape for love referring to sacrificial and unconditional love, something rare in our day.
No matter what your life has been like God loves you unlike any human being is capable. At times we may think God loves us more because we did good things for people, went to church and didn’t say anything bad. When we have a bad day and our words reflect our day, we think God loves us less. Not true! God’s love for you is consistent and always will be.
His love means we can be filled with His joy. Not the joy according to the world’s standards which will always disappoint, but God’s joy that is present even in difficulties. What does God ask in return for His love? Love Him and others, not in word only but primarily in action. Simple things like being a listening ear, call or visit someone who is having a difficult day etc.
How does God show His love to you? First of all, he is anxious to hear from you in the morning and the remainder of the day and night. He wants to know what’s on your mind and include Him in all your activities. He showed it by coming to earth as a man and living as one of us. He left His glory behind and came to live a prefect life to become a God pleasing sacrifice for your sin. Vs. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Are you willing to die for someone who could care less about you? Jesus did when we didn’t want Him. Insert your name in the following spaces: John 3:16-17 For God so loved __________ that he gave his one and only Son, that when __________ believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn ____________, but to save __________ through him. This is the truth about Gods love for you.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Sunday 16, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Divine Protection
Funeral for Harold Nyhus Friday 14, 11:00. Visitation 10-11:00
