Follow Me… …Love One Another. The words of Jesus as recorded in Johns Gospel, the 13 th...
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Transcript of Follow Me… …Love One Another. The words of Jesus as recorded in Johns Gospel, the 13 th...
Follow Me…Follow Me…
…Love One Another…Love One Another
The words of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel, the 13th chapter…
The words of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel, the 13th chapter…
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We missed something last week
We missed something last week
Something was said last week that we did not pay attention toSomething was said last week that we did not pay attention to
In fact, something was said last week that we
completely ignored
In fact, something was said last week that we
completely ignored
Now, I guess our neglect of what was said last week is somewhat
excusable
Now, I guess our neglect of what was said last week is somewhat
excusable
After all, we wanted to focus our attention on the theme of the day:
“Follow Me… Tell Others”
After all, we wanted to focus our attention on the theme of the day:
“Follow Me… Tell Others”
And quite frankly, what was said last week during the worship service did not
pertain to the topic at hand
And quite frankly, what was said last week during the worship service did not
pertain to the topic at hand
So it was ignoredSo it was ignored
But should we have ignored what was said?But should we have ignored what was said?
Should we have simply gone on with the topic at hand as though what was said had not been said?
Should we have simply gone on with the topic at hand as though what was said had not been said?
No, we should not have done that.No, we should not have done that.
Because, you see, what was said was a cry for helpcry for help!
Because, you see, what was said was a cry for helpcry for help!
This is what was said:This is what was said:
“Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.”
“Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.”
(These were the words of Job, chapter 7 - our Old Testament reading for last week)(These were the words of Job, chapter 7 - our Old Testament reading for last week)
The words of Job were a cry for helpThe words of Job
were a cry for help
He was in anguishHe was in anguish
His children were dead
His children were dead
His fortune was lost
His fortune was lost
His health was ruined
His health was ruined
He was lost in sorrow, grief, confusion and
doubt
He was lost in sorrow, grief, confusion and
doubt
And so, in the words of last week’s Old Testament reading, Job cries out
And so, in the words of last week’s Old Testament reading, Job cries out
And he despairs about his hard service, his feelings of futility and hopelessness, his physical pain and suffering, and his sleepless nights of misery.
And he despairs about his hard service, his feelings of futility and hopelessness, his physical pain and suffering, and his sleepless nights of misery.
He is certain that he will never see happiness
again.
He is certain that he will never see happiness
again.
And we ignored himAnd we ignored him
Now I know what you might be thinking…Now I know what you might be thinking…
“Gee, Pastor… give us a break. It’s not like we ignored a REAL person. Job’s one of those ‘Bible People.’ The guy lived thousands of years ago. His problems existed thousands of years ago. There’s nothing we could have done for him.”
“Gee, Pastor… give us a break. It’s not like we ignored a REAL person. Job’s one of those ‘Bible People.’ The guy lived thousands of years ago. His problems existed thousands of years ago. There’s nothing we could have done for him.”
“Plus, we had that sermon series to do, too. You know, the one about following Jesus? And last week we were talking about evangelism and mission work and telling others about Jesus and about being ‘fishers of men’ - the whole nine yards! That was what we had to talk about.”
“Plus, we had that sermon series to do, too. You know, the one about following Jesus? And last week we were talking about evangelism and mission work and telling others about Jesus and about being ‘fishers of men’ - the whole nine yards! That was what we had to talk about.”
Besides, you’re the guy choosing what the sermons are about. So… WE didn’t ignore anyone!”
Besides, you’re the guy choosing what the sermons are about. So… WE didn’t ignore anyone!”
“This one doesn’t count.”“This one doesn’t count.”
Okay, so maybe this one doesn’t actually count. Maybe it IS a stretch to say that we ignored Job last week.
Okay, so maybe this one doesn’t actually count. Maybe it IS a stretch to say that we ignored Job last week.
So, maybe we can say that we’re all excused.So, maybe we can say that we’re all excused.
But what’s our excuse when we DO ignore cries for help?But what’s our excuse when we DO ignore cries for help?
What’s our excuse when we ignore REAL people in need?What’s our excuse when we ignore REAL people in need?
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
The are people of all ages who are
sick - some desperately.
The are people of all ages who are
sick - some desperately. There are people
who feel alone.There are people who feel alone.
There are people who
have suffered
terrible loss.
There are people who
have suffered
terrible loss.
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
At times their sadness never seems to end
At times their sadness never seems to end
At times they feel isolated from the rest of the world
At times they feel isolated from the rest of the world
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
We do live in a world that is filled with need… with cries of anguish and
despair…
People of all walks of life can go through periods of time when they are lost and confused, feeling helpless and hopeless, overwhelmed and beaten down.
People of all walks of life can go through periods of time when they are lost and confused, feeling helpless and hopeless, overwhelmed and beaten down.
And we need to do something about it!And we need to do something about it!
Remember the words of our text…Remember the words of our text…
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
With these words, Jesus further expands His definition of what it means to be
people who follow Him.
With these words, Jesus further expands His definition of what it means to be
people who follow Him.
Not only do followers of Jesus recognize Him to be in charge…Not only do followers of Jesus recognize Him to be in charge…
Not only do followers of Jesus “abide in His Word…”Not only do followers of Jesus “abide in His Word…”
Not only do followers of Jesus make disciples of all nations…Not only do followers of Jesus make disciples of all nations…
Followers of Jesus love one another.
Followers of Jesus love one another.
We love one another within the Family of God - fellow believers within the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We love one another within the Family of God - fellow believers within the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And we love one another within the Family of Humankind - all those whom
God has created.
And we love one another within the Family of Humankind - all those whom
God has created.
Jesus makes it clear…Jesus makes it clear…
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have if you have love for one anotherlove for one another.”
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have if you have love for one anotherlove for one another.”
Being a follower of Jesus will show itself by the love that we have for
others!
Being a follower of Jesus will show itself by the love that we have for
others!
No love…No love… No disciples!No disciples!
The kind of love that Jesus is talking about is the kind of love that shows itself
in word and deed!
The kind of love that Jesus is talking about is the kind of love that shows itself
in word and deed!
It is coming alongside people in their hour of need
It is coming alongside people in their hour of need
It is giving them your time and attention…
giving them a shoulder to lean on
It is giving them your time and attention…
giving them a shoulder to lean on
It’s getting involved in their lives
It’s getting involved in their lives
The kind of love that Jesus is talking about is the kind of love that shows itself
in word and deed!
The kind of love that Jesus is talking about is the kind of love that shows itself
in word and deed!
Sometimes showing this love takes us to
far away places
Sometimes showing this love takes us to
far away places
Sometimes it takes us outside of our comfort
zones
Sometimes it takes us outside of our comfort
zones
And sometimes it forces us to deal with the issues and crises that
plague our world
And sometimes it forces us to deal with the issues and crises that
plague our world
But always this kind of love that Jesus is talking about shows itself by us getting
involved in the lives of others!
But always this kind of love that Jesus is talking about shows itself by us getting
involved in the lives of others!
It is simply who we are and what we do as followers of
Jesus Christ
It is simply who we are and what we do as followers of
Jesus Christ
Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…
A man who suffered from leprosy came to Jesus and begged Him...
A man who suffered from leprosy came to Jesus and begged Him...
“If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
“If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…
Look at what happens next:Look at what happens next:
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…Our Gospel reading for today shows us how Jesus did it…
"I am willing," He said. "Be clean!""I am willing," He said. "Be clean!"
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
In doing what He did, Jesus did the sort of things that made the people of His day
queasy.
In doing what He did, Jesus did the sort of things that made the people of His day
queasy.
He showed compassion to someone whom most people had identified as an outcast of society
He showed compassion to someone whom most people had identified as an outcast of society
He gave His time and energy to a person that other people would literally run away from
He gave His time and energy to a person that other people would literally run away from
And then He did the unthinkable!And then He did the unthinkable!
He touched him.He touched him.
He touched a leper.He touched a leper.
And in touching the manAnd in touching the man
Jesus showed the depth of His compassion
Jesus showed the depth of His compassion
…He showed the depth of His love.
…He showed the depth of His love.
We are called upon, as followers of Jesus, to show forth the compassion
and love of Jesus to others.
We are called upon, as followers of Jesus, to show forth the compassion
and love of Jesus to others.
And we are to do this as a congregation & school
And we are to do this as a congregation & school
We are the people who have already known and cherished the love and compassion of Jesus in our own lives…
We are the people who have already known and cherished the love and compassion of Jesus in our own lives…
He has died for us!He has died for us!
He has risen from the dead for us!He has risen from the dead for us!
He has granted us our salvation &
eternal life!
He has granted us our salvation &
eternal life!
And what’s more is that He surrounds us with His love and compassion
through each other within this Family of Believers.
And what’s more is that He surrounds us with His love and compassion
through each other within this Family of Believers.
So… the expectations that He has for us should be clear!
So… the expectations that He has for us should be clear!
If we are to be serious about following Him, then we need to be serious about loving one
another within this church & school.
If we are to be serious about following Him, then we need to be serious about loving one
another within this church & school.
It starts here.It starts here.
The love we have for one another here at St. Paul Lutheran Church
and School needs to be the witness we give to the rest of the
world.
The love we have for one another here at St. Paul Lutheran Church
and School needs to be the witness we give to the rest of the
world.
It needs to be the way others recognize us to be Christ’s
disciples.
It needs to be the way others recognize us to be Christ’s
disciples.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
No matter at what stage of life they are at…No matter at what stage of life they are at…
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
No matter what their need…No matter what their need…
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
No matter where we find them…No matter where we find them…
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
No matter the kind of work we have to do…No matter the kind of work we have to do…
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And then, as we love one another here in this gathering of believers, we let that same love extend to the
rest of the world.
And no matter how hard.And no matter how hard.
We are called upon to be the hands of JesusWe are called upon to be the hands of Jesus
Touching each other and the rest of the worldTouching each other and the rest of the world
With His Love.With His Love.
Because that’s what disciples of Jesus do.Because that’s what disciples of Jesus do.
That’s who disciples of Jesus are.That’s who disciples of Jesus are.
We started things off today acknowledging the fact that we ignored
the cries of anguish that Job gave in last weekend’s Old Testament lesson.
We started things off today acknowledging the fact that we ignored
the cries of anguish that Job gave in last weekend’s Old Testament lesson.
But I guess that was okay, because last week it really didn’t
count.
But I guess that was okay, because last week it really didn’t
count.
May Jesus grant us, His disciples, the ears, eyes and hearts to hear, see and respond when the cries of anguish are
around us…
May Jesus grant us, His disciples, the ears, eyes and hearts to hear, see and respond when the cries of anguish are
around us…
when it does count.
when it does count.
AmenAmen
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for
one another.”