Loving as Jesus Has Loved
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
John 15:1-17 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
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.
Sermon Outline
Establishing a connection with Jesus will change how you relate with everyone.
1. Connection
vv4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you… apart from me you can do nothing”
v10 “if you keep my commandments” (v7 “my words abide in you”)
v15 “no longer do I call you servants… but… friends”
2. Imitation
v12 “this is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (cf. v17)
v9 “as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you”
v13 “greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Prayer of Confession
God of love and grace, there is no greater love than the love with which you have loved us in Christ. Forgive us for being so stubborn, untrusting, self centered, and foolishly independent. We have lived as though we could do much apart from you. We have not loved others as Jesus has loved us. Our lives have not been fruitful. Instead of imitating the love of Jesus for us, we have imitated the ways we have been mistreated by others. Forgive us all of our sins, and abide in us, even as we again hear the call to abide in Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What do you find hard about relationships?
What does it mean to be vitally connected to Jesus? How does the vine/branches imagery work itself out in how a Christian lives?
Is it easier for you to conceive of Jesus as a master to whom you owe obedience, or as a friend you share life with? How are we both servants and friends? What gets clarified when we try to hold both of these together?
How does the love between God the Father and Jesus Christ help you understand the nature of God’s love (or the nature of love in general)?
How is Jesus’ love for you a model to imitate? What about Jesus’ love for you are you supposed to imitate?
How can Jesus’ love for you help you in difficult relationships, or when you are disappointed by people?
Are there occasions when you should not make sacrifices for others? How do you determine what love looks like in a particular situation?
Why is it challenging to love someone who doesn’t appreciate, thank, or return your love? What are things you should do? What are things you should not do?
How can your connection with Jesus heal you from problems in previous relationships? How can it strengthen you to relate differently