5-16-10 Sorrell AM: A Place to See Jesus

A Place to See Jesus

Text: John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Intro: We want this. Anything else sends a hypocritical message to the world.

I.       What is the Context of the Statement?  It’s us.  (Let’s get us right, then we’ll look at enemies.)

John 13:30-31 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. ³¹Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

II.      To what extent should we love one another?

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

III.     How does Jesus Love Us?

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

IV.     Love one for another is all of us.  Who is exempt from God’s command to love?  Who is exempt from God’s command to be loved?

V.      They were Called Christians First at Antioch

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Recall text – John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

VI.     What was it about the Church at Antioch that sent this message?

Acts 11:19-26 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. ²⁰And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. ²²Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. ²³Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. ²⁴For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁵Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: ²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

A.      Acts 11:20 – Willing to break from party lines and follow God

B.      Acts 11:20 – No restrictions on the Grace of God

C.      Acts 11:20 – Preached Jesus

D.      Acts 11:21 – God did the work and they knew it

E.      Acts 11:21 – Their salvation experiences included repentance

F*.     Acts 11:23 – God’s grace was visible to every person and in every direction

G*.    Gal 2:11-13 – Willing to confront those who attempted to hinder their love for each other

Galatians 2:11-13 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. ¹²For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. ¹³And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

VII.   We must be like this Shady Grove