Tag Archives: Love

Three Years That Changed the World – Words About Proper Relationships (Jesus in John 15)

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 17

Words About Proper Relationships

(Jesus in John 15)

Jesus continues teaching his closest disciples just hours before he is to be crucified and in this chapter of John he teaches them about the importance of proper relationships.

He begins with the importance of having a proper relationship with God and it is no accident that he makes his seventh “deity claim” in which he declares “I am the true vine”. Each of these “I am” statements found in the gospel of John are his undeniable claims to deity. As such he is declaring himself to be God.

  1. “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
  2. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
  3. “I am the door/gate” (John 10:7)
  4. “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
  5. “I am the resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)
  6. “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
  7. “I am the true vine” (John 15:1-5)

Understanding who God is helps in our having a proper relationship with Him. A true believer recognizes they belong to the vine (Christ) and will choose to abide (remain) in Christ by following him and being obedient to his words. This is the evidence of a genuine follower (disciple of Christ) and results in the blessings found in God’s will (His glory).

We must also maintain proper relationships with one another and one of the primary marks of a Christ follower is shown by how we love one another. It’s not optional – it is a command and love for one another is to be mutual. True Christian love is the churches most powerful example to an unbelieving world. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

The final instruction found in John 15 is to maintain a proper relationship with the world. We are to be in the world but not of the world so the world can see the difference. This will allow us to properly declare the truth that Jesus is God, the promised Messiah!

Words About Proper RelationshipsDownload

Three Years That Changed The World – A Love That Knows NO Limits (Jesus in John 13)

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Three Years That Changed the World – Lesson 15

A Love That Knows No Limits

(Jesus in John 13)

As John pens the words in chapter 13, the 3½ years of Jesus’ public ministry (to Israel) had ended. Jesus was about to prepare his closest disciples for what was soon to take place for his “hour had now come”. This preparation will come through a series of discussions, lessons, and guidance over the next 5 chapters (John 13-17).

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

Jesus knew that his time to “leave this world” and “go to the Father” was in reference to his soon crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus will begin to prepare his closest disciples for what was about to take place and what they were to do. God was in complete control! These teachings/instructions would not be easy for the disciples to accept or even understand but the love of Jesus will become even more evident during this week. Although they will struggle and even feel overwhelmed, through the power of the Holy Spirit, at least 11 of them will endure.

Through the first 12 chapters of the Gospel of John, we witnessed the love that Jesus has for all of mankind (John 3:16) but most notably for his sheep (those who knew him as their savior) to be a special love. He will put that love on full display through humble service, his teachings and ultimately his death on the cross. Contained in these chapters (John 13-17) will be a practical demonstration of Jesus’ continual love for them and the first demonstration of that love will be washing the disciples’ feet.

Despite that love, Jesus knows that one of his very own will betray him. Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to fully trust in him, though Judas’ heart was already moving in the direction of betrayal, Jesus still washed his feet giving him a chance to repent of his sin (the betrayal of Jesus) and receive the same spiritual cleansing that the other 11 disciples were given.

Shortly after Judas is exposed for his betrayal and leaves the room, Jesus will give the other disciples a new commandment to live by – “To Love One Another” and in doing this, everyone will know they are his disciples as they continue his ministry. This will become the focus of the remainder of the time Jesus has with him before his arrest and this “love for others” will become the distinction between the works-based system of “pious religious leaders” and the faith-based practice of the genuine Spirit filled disciples.

A Love That Knows No Limits – Jesus in John 13Download