Learning How to Love

Three Seasons Community Church– 8-24-08

Developing Healthy Christ Centered people who passionately love Jesus; genuinely love one another and compassionately love the lost.

John 13:33-35 (NIV) [PAGE 763]

"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus showed them love [1]

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

Remember that more is caught than taught! Do as I say not as I do– doesn’t fly in discipleship.

How can you show your love to: your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, your relatives, your neighbors, your unsaved friends and loved ones, your...?

Jesus got up! [4]

How many times are good intentions not followed through on.

A big part of showing love is getting up! Jesus got up! What did Jesus get up and do?

[4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

How did Jesus show the disciples the full extent of his love? He got up and served!

If necessary, talk [explain your actions] [12]

[12] When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

Jesus didn’t preach– he asked the disciples questions!

[13] "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

If we don’t love one another– then we’re not showing one another or those who don’t yet believe in Jesus the power of God’s love

Do you want to be blessed by God?

[17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

What do we need to do?

What Jesus tells us:

1. Follow Jesus’ COMMAND to Love one another [34-35]

[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

2. How do we love one another? [vs 1]

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

3. How do we show our love for one another? [4-5]

[4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

4. What is our reward? [17]

[17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Whom do you need to serve to show God’s love to them in a tangible way?

Don’t just think about it– DO IT!!!