A New Commandment

Transformed By The Gospel

A New Commandment

John 15:12-13 & 13:34-35

God designed us to be Dependent on Him and Interdependent with one another

Q: How is this a new commandment?

“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)

• A new Pattern – To live out the love of Jesus

• A new Power – To live on the love of Jesus

How Did Jesus Love?

1. Jesus Came

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

How I can begin to move toward people?

2. Jesus set aside His rights to Serve (John 13)

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:3–7)

What might it look like for me to set aside my rights and proactively look for ways to serve others?

3. Jesus had Compassion

“Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.” (Mark 1:40–42, CSB)

• Jesus Reached Out – What might it look like to stretch beyond my comfort zone to reach out to another?

• Jesus Touched – What might it look like to touch someone else’s life (listening ear, meeting a practical need, an appropriate physical touch, etc.)?

• Jesus Spoke – What might it look like for me to be the voice of Jesus and speak God’s love and truth into the life of another?

4. Jesus Bridged The Gap between God and man (15:13)

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–8)

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5–6)

How can I help bridge the gap between God and man by pointing people to the perfect provision of Jesus Christ?

Rules To Love By

• Golden Rule

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

• Platinum Rule

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

 (John 13:34)

Ask:

• What does God’s love for me require of me?

• What does love require?

Note:  The commands of the New Testament help us to answer the questions above.  They help us to apply Jesus’ new commandment. 

An Important Reminder:

We obey God’s commandments not to be Loved but because we are Loved in Christ

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2)

Making It Personal:

• Have I genuinely experienced the life changing power of the gospel in my life through renouncing my sin and relying totally on the finished work of Jesus Christ?

• How will I keep the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule before me this week?

• Review the questions in the section on “How Did Jesus Love.” How will you love like Jesus loved this week?

• Who can I share these truths with?