Series Big Idea: "Exploring the heart and purpose for the Church”

Series Big Idea: “Christ’s command/example to love as He did form the foundation of Christian discipleship and communiity”

Key Scripture (John 13:31-35)

Jesus spoke these words during His final hours on earth just before His arrest, as He was sharing the Last Supper with His disciples. He had just predicted that Judas would betray Him and that His death on the cross was near. It was a moment filled with anticipation heaviness. But Jesus was not focused on the suffering He would undergo but rather on love, teaching His disciples to love as He loved, by continuing to love one another.

This world seems to be void of genuine love. In this type of society these words of Jesus ring loud and clear. They call believers to a higher standard of love that is rooted in the selfless actions of Christ Himself. This passage invites us as believers to remember the essence and power of love that was demonstrated by Jesus. How do we carry this love on in our lives as believers and part of the Church? Let’s look at what this passage says, what it means, and finally how it works in our lives.

(John 13:31-35)

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself and will glorify Him at once. 33 “Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ so now I tell you. 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Glorification of Jesus (v. 31-32)

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him." Here, Jesus is speaking of His crucifixion not as a tragedy, but as a glorification. Jesus saw His suffering and death as the moment of His glorification because it was through this act of love and obedience that God’s redemptive plan for humanity was fulfilled. It highlights the idea that the cross, a place of shame is transformed into the ultimate display of divine glory and love. Christ calls us too to see the challenges and sacrifices in our lives as opportunities to glorify God. God’s glory will be revealed though us when we face our trials with faith and embrace this sacrificial love.

With this foundation of glorification set, Jesus moves on to provide His followers with a new commandment, solidifying the essence of living as His disciples.

The New Commandment (v. 33-34)

Jesus tells His disciples that He will only be with them a little longer. He then gives them a new commandment: to love one another just as He has loved them. But this command to love is not entirely new. Jesus elevated it by making His sacrificial love the standard. His love is selfless, unconditional, and transformative. It calls His followers to mirror His love even in difficult times and betrayal.

Today, we are to show this standard in our relationship with others. To love as Christ loves means to serve selflessly, forgive generously, and act compassionately, even towards those who hurt us. This love knows no boundaries. It reaches beyond our comfort zones and into the heart of what it means to live like Christ. This command to love is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching, but it also becomes the distinguishing mark of those who follow Him.

Love as the Mark of Discipleship (v. 35)

Jesus said, "By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Jesus was emphasizing love as the evidence of true discipleship. The world will recognize His followers not by their religious rituals or theological knowledge, but by their genuine, Christ-like love for each other. This love testifies to the transformative power of Jesus’ message and His presence in our lives.

As believers, we are challenged to live in a way that our love becomes a light to the world. In our communities and beyond, our love should be visible, drawing others to Christ through the authenticity of our relationships and the compassion we show.

Conclusion

So, remember, this journey of faith we are on must be marked by love. It is the very foundation of our connection to Christ and one another. Look for opportunities this week to choose love over conflict. To choose service over selfishness and compassion over indifference. When we do this we are not only honoring the commandment Jesus left with us but we are illuminating God’s glory in a world that desperately needs Him.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Klink, Edward W., III. John. Edited by Clinton E. Arnold. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016.

Burge, Gary M. John. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2000.

Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Borchert, Gerald L. John 1–11. Vol. 25A. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996.

Osborne, Grant, Philip W. Comfort. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 13: John and 1, 2, and 3 John. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Burge, Gary M. Letters of John. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

Kruse, Colin G. The Letters of John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos, 2000.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Life Application Bible Notes. Tyndale, 2007.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

AFTER THE MESSAGE

After hearing today's message there may be a decision you have made and you want a pastor to connect with you. We want to make it easy for you. Just scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form and our pastor will contact you.