to the Gospel of John.
And for some of you who are new or visiting,
we have been working through the Gospel of John.
I actually look back to see when the start of this series was,
and it looks like it was the start of January 2020.
So we've actually been working through this Gospel
for three years now, and here we are going on to year four.
So there's a lot in this book of the Bible,
and we've tried to really slow it down and linger
over the words that are here.
We want to understand what did Jesus mean
when he said some of the things that he said,
when he did some of the things that he did.
What's it all about?
Right now, we're in John chapter 15,
and this is where we're at in the story of Jesus,
in case you're kind of just joining us this morning.
Jesus is right now speaking to his disciples
on the evening prior to his crucifixion.
So all the public ministry of Jesus,
that's already all happened.
We heard John talk about the many miraculous signs
that Jesus did,
and the teachings that he gave to the crowds.
We heard about the tensions rising
between Jesus and the religious leaders.
It's estimated that from the time that Jesus was baptized
in the Jordan River and began his public ministry
till this point in the story,
it's been about three years,
and Jesus has now made his last trip
down to Jerusalem
for the week-long Passover festival.
He entered the city to joyful shouts
of, blessed is the king of Israel.
But then all through the week,
tensions have been rising
between Jesus and the religious leaders
and some of the Jews who were there.
And we're here now at the end of the week,
and Jesus has just eaten that Passover meal
with his disciples.
Judas has left
to put his plan into motion
to betray Jesus.
Jesus has been giving some of his last words
to the disciples before his death.
He's been encouraging them.
He's been comforting them.
He's been giving them instructions
about how to live in these days
that are upon them.
First, they were at the place
where the supper was eaten.
Now they're likely somewhere else in the city
or just outside the city,
perhaps at a vineyard
where they stopped
before heading to the Garden of Gethsemane.
So we pick it up this morning
in John chapter 15, verse 9.
I'm just going to read this paragraph
so we can get a little bit of context here.
This is Jesus talking to the disciples.
As the Father has loved me,
so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.
If you keep my commands,
you will remain in my love
just as I have kept my Father's commands
and remain in His love.
I have told you this
so that my joy may be in you
and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this.
Love each other
as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this
to lay down one's life
for one's friends.
You are my friends
if you do what I command.
I no longer call you servants
because a servant does not know
his master's business.
Instead, I have called you friends
for everything that I learned from my Father
I have made known to you.
You did not choose me
but I chose you
and appointed you
so that you might go and bear fruit.
Fruit that will last
and so that whatever you ask
in my name
the Father will give you.
This is my command.
Love each other.
As usual, there is a lot here
that we could ponder
but this morning
we want to focus in on one thing
Jesus seems to emphasize
perhaps the most
in this paragraph
and it's this command
that He gives to His disciples
in verse 12.
Love each other
or love one another
as I have loved you.
Now you might be thinking
oh man
love each other?
That's the most obvious thing here.
We all know what that means.
Let's go on to the
other interesting things
that Jesus has to say here.
I mean we already talked about
love one another
back in chapter 13
verse 34.
If you'll recall
Jesus earlier this evening
said
a new command I give you
love one another
as I have loved you
so you must love one another.
So why do we need to hear
this same basic thing
again?
Well
maybe you could tell me
why does Jesus
the master teacher
the greatest teacher
who ever walked the earth
feel the need
to repeat Himself
and tell them
to love each other
three times
in the same evening?
There's this one
in 1334
it's here again
in 15
verse 12
and it's there again
in 15
verse 17
this is my command
love each other.
Why does Jesus say it
three times
to the men
who are with Him
that night?
Well I'll tell you one thing
He doesn't have
short term memory loss
it's not as though
He forgot
that He said it earlier
it's that we
the disciples of Jesus
need to understand
the importance
of this.
Probably
like the disciples
we too
are prone to thinking
that we've already got it
we've already understood it
when maybe we haven't
or
we already know that
but are we doing it?
So saying it
three times
in one evening
I hope
gets your attention
it sends a clear message
to us
this command
to love one another
is very dear
to the heart of Christ
it's of the utmost
importance
to us living
as followers of Jesus
in this world
now
I already explained
in my previous message
on June 19th
2022
you can find that sermon
on the church website
I already explained
what makes this command
new
we talked about this
I'm not going to
re-preach the whole thing
but basically
the command to love
people is old
God gave that command
a long time ago
at Mount Sinai
through Moses
love your neighbor
as yourself
and
in that previous message
I said that
what makes this command
new
is that we are now
called to
love one another
by a new standard
not as
we love ourselves
but as
I have loved
you
said Jesus
there's a new standard
Christ has defined
he has modeled
how we should love
one another
and if you were here
in that sermon
on June 19th
you'll recall
that I opened it
right up for discussion
in the middle of the sermon
and I asked the question
how did Jesus love
his disciples
and you guys were
telling me all kinds of things
we talked about
how he
washed their feet
how he spent time
with them
how he chose them
and initiated
with them
how he was patient
with them
when they didn't get it
how he spoke the truth
to them
even when it was hard
for them to hear it
we talked about
how he
kind of just
invited them along
for the ride
for this great adventure
wherever they went
he revealed
who he was to them
he encouraged them
like a father
does his children
one day he made
breakfast for them
on the beach
a little thing
but a token of love
he forgave them
when they sinned
against him
he cared about
their needs
even when he was
going through
his own time
of struggle
and suffering
he did all kinds
of wonderful things
for them
he loved them humbly
rather than
lording it over them
he cared for them
when they were sick
he loved them
when they were proud
and argumentative
having fights
with each other
he bore with them
when they said
hurtful things
behind his back
he went to their
funerals
and cried
with them
he went to their
weddings
he celebrated
with them
he helped out
with that supply
shortage in the back
without drawing
attention to himself
there were some
who followed Jesus
who were considered
untouchables
unclean
Jesus was not
afraid to touch
them
to give that
human contact
and connection
that we all
need
he loved them
despite their
lowly professions
he loved them
despite their
low social status
he never played
favorites
he didn't give
extra time and
attention to the
wealthy or the
prominent ones
he spent time
with the kids
and loved the
kids
he treated the
women with
absolute purity
he kept his
promises
and the list
goes on and on
and on
we could just
go on all day
here
these are all
the ways in
which Jesus
loved his
disciples
and of course
most important
of all
he died for
them
he gave up
his life
for them
to atone
for their
sins
so
what's new
about this
command to
love one
another
is that we're
commanded
by Jesus
now to
love one
another
as he
has loved
us
and as I
said in that
previous message
this is it
this is the
most important
thing in the
Christian life
except of course
for the call to
love God
himself
this is it
this is
Christianity
at its core
this is why
Jesus says
it
commands them
three times
in the same
evening
because once
and even
twice
isn't enough
this is just
too important
to say just
once or
twice
this is the
thing that I
want my
followers to
keep coming
back to
as the most
important command
I've given
aside from
loving God
love one
another
as I have
loved you
it's one of
the most
important
and at the
same time
it's one of
the things that
we just struggle
with at times
and wrestle
with
I know
if I was
to ask
any of
you
what does
it mean
to love
one another
what does
that look
like
I'm sure
that probably
all of you
could answer
that question
even the
kids
we know
what that
means
we know
what love
looks like
but this
is a command
we need to
go beyond
understanding
the question
is are we
actually living
this command
are we
loving one
another
like Jesus
has loved
us
you know
what really
struck me
as I was
meditating on
this in the
shower
I do a lot
of meditation
in the shower
it's a great
place of
solitude
there's a
direct
connection
here
between
our
relationship
with Jesus
and our
relationship
with each
other
do you see
that
there's
meant to be
a flow
here
as I
know and
experience
Jesus love
for me
it comes
to me
first
and then
it's meant
to flow
out of me
to you
to one
another
do you
see that
here
I'm
commanded
to love
you
Charles
and my
template
my example
is right
here
in how
Christ
has loved
me
there's a
flow
there's a
connection
here
but here's
the trouble
all too
easily
we as
followers
of Jesus
struggle
with
a
disconnect
here
we want
to enjoy
and live
in
Christ's
wonderful
love for
us
but then
sometimes
the flow
stops
right there
and we
don't treat
one another
the same
way
Jesus
was the
one to
highlight
this
problem
this
tendency
in all
of us
listen to
what he
said
in
Matthew
chapter
18
verse
23
to
35
it's
the
parable
of the
unmerciful
servant
he said
therefore
the kingdom
of heaven
is like
a king
who wanted
to settle
accounts
with his
servants
as he
began
the
settlement
a man
who owed
him
10,000
bags
of gold
was brought
to him
since he
was not
able to
pay
the
master
ordered
that he
and his
wife
and his
children
and all
that he
had
be sold
to repay
the debt
at this
the servant
fell on his
knees
before him
be patient
with me
he begged
and I will
pay back
everything
the servant's
master
took pity
on him
canceled
the debt
and let
him go
but when
that servant
went out
he found
one of his
fellow servants
who owed him
100 silver
coins
he grabbed
him
and began
to choke
him
pay back
what you
owe me
he demanded
his fellow
servant
fell to his
knees
and begged
him
be patient
with me
and I will
pay it
back
but he
refused
instead
he went
off
and had
the man
thrown
into prison
until he
could
pay the
debt
when the
other
servants
saw what
had
happened
they were
outraged
and went
and told
their
master
everything
that had
happened
then the
master
called
the servant
in
you wicked
servant
he said
I canceled
all that
debt of
yours
because you
begged
me to
shouldn't
you have
had mercy
on your
fellow
servant
just as
I had
on you
in anger
his master
handed him
over to
the jailers
to be
tortured
until he
should pay
back
all he
owed
this
is how
my heavenly
father
will treat
each of
you
unless
you
forgive
your
brother
or sister
from
your
heart
wow
what
was
Jesus
getting
at
when
he
told
this
parable
of
the
unmerciful
servant
I mean
isn't it
ironic
that
a man
who had
been
forgiven
a massive
debt
10,000
bags
of gold
was
unwilling
to forgive
the much
smaller
debt
of his
buddy
in
this
parable
we
see
the
disconnect
between
the
king's
mercy
coming
to
that
servant
and
the
mercy
flowing
from
that
servant
to
his
fellow
servant
Jesus
is
saying
this
disconnect
that
happens
with
people
it's
a
problem
in
fact
he
says
it's
wicked
God's
love
God's
mercy
has been
given
to you
so
graciously
so
freely
so
generously
would
you
now
withhold
love
and
mercy
from
your
brother
or
your
sister
now
it's
easy
for us
to look
at this
little
parable
and
agree
and
say
how
could
he
do
such
a
thing
what
a
wicked
servant
but
you
know
this
is
not
a
story
that
Jesus
you
know
he
didn't
see
somebody
that
actually
did
this
he
made
this
parable
up
to
teach
us
a
point
the
point
of this
parable
is to
tell
you
and
me
what
we
all
too
easily
do
it's
to
convict
us
of
our
lack
of
love
toward
one
another
it's
to
show
us
the
irony
and
the
audacity
of
our
own
attitudes
and
behaviors
when
we
have
been
loved
and
forgiven
by
God
so
much
and
yet
how
easily
we
stop
the
flow
of
love
and
forgiveness
to
one
another
so
this
is
why
I
think
Jesus
repeats
this
simple
command
three
times
in
one
night
love
one
another
as
I
have
loved
you
because
it's
rooted
in
our
sin
nature
to
turn
off
the
taps
towards
one
another
and
the
disciples
of
Jesus
did
this
a
lot
they
fought
with
each
other
they
argued
with
each
other
they
jockeyed
for
position
amongst
each
other
wanting
to
be
first
wanting
to
be
the
greatest
and
it
broke
Jesus
heart
when
they
did
that
because
it
was
so
out
of
sync
with
the
love
of
God
and
with
the
love
of
Jesus
here
he
was
loving
them
so
purely
so
deeply
despite
who
they
were
despite
the
things
that
they
had
done
and
there
they
were
all
too
happy
to
soak
in
Jesus
great
love
for
them
but
then
turn
around
and
treat
each
other
with
contempt
harboring
grudges
getting
into
fights
and
arguments
giving
each
other
the
cold
shoulder
and
silent
treatment
and
it
wasn't
just
back
then
that
this
disconnect
happened
in
the
hearts
of
Jesus
followers
it
happened
years
later
among
the
Jesus
followers
in
Corinth
Paul
wrote a
letter
to
address
the
divisions
that
were
going
on
in
the
church
there
it
happened
also
among
Jesus
followers
in
Philippi
maybe
you
remember
some
of
those
words
in
Philippians
where
Paul
urges
them
to
not
just
think
of
their
own
interests
but
think
of
the
interests
of
one
another
have
the
same
mind
in
you
that
was
also
in
Christ
Jesus
that
humble
love
and
I
plead
with
Iodia
and
Syntyche
to
agree
with
each
other
many
of
the
New
Testament
letters
were
written
to
churches
and
highlighted
interpersonal
conflict
within
the
church
caused
by
sinful
and
selfish
attitudes
and
in
many
of
them
instruction
was
given
again
and
again
for
the
people
of
the
church
to
love
one
another
sincerely
from
the
heart
this
disconnect
was
there
and
it's
been
happening
ever
since
then
among
the
followers
of
Jesus
throughout
church
history
and
this
disconnect
happens
even
here
among
us
followers
of
Jesus
here
in
Davidson
right
here
in
our
own
church
it's
something
that we
participate
in
on a
regular
basis
every
time you
say
something
nasty
to
hurt
someone
every
time you
attempt
to
control
or
manipulate
someone
every
time we
say
something
in
pride
or
arrogance
standing
in
judgment
over
someone
every
time
we
act
selfishly
out
of
disregard
for
others
what I'm
trying to
say is
that this
is a
pervasive
problem
it's not
as though
some of
us are
loving
like
Jesus
did
and
others
are
not
and
let's
figure
out
who's
doing
a
good
job
and
who's
not
no
we
all
wrestle
with
this
disconnect
at
some
level
or
in
some
relationships
in
our
lives
and
some
of us
maybe
still
don't
think
we
have
this
disconnect
maybe
we're
still
pointing
the
finger
at
somebody
else
it's
their
fault
it's
the
things
they're
doing
and
they're
saying
I've
been
treating
them
well
I've
been
loving
them
ironically
just
like
with
the
parable
of
the
unmerciful
servant
there
seems
to be
a
sort
of
blindness
towards
this
disconnect
in
our
lives
the
servant
in
the
parable
seemed
to
feel
absolutely
justified
to
throttle
the
neck
of
his
fellow
servant
even
after
his
own
neck
had
just
been
spared
it's
like
he
couldn't
even
see
what
he
was
doing
how
out
of
sync
that
was
with
what
he
just
received
amazingly
when we
lack
love
it
often
seems
that
along
with
that
we
aren't
aware
of
it
we're
blind
to
it
I'll
give you
an
example
isn't
it
amazing
for
those
of us
who
have
been
parents
how
we
can
feel
so
justified
in
our
frustration
and
anger
and
impatience
towards
our
children
even
saying
things
unkindly
rudely
we
can
be
harsh
you
know
what
I'm
talking
about
I
told
you
that
once
already
how
many
times
do
I
have
to
tell
you
it's
like
we're
expecting
their
hearts
to
change
overnight
or
them
to
become
mature
by the
end
of
the
week
meanwhile
we're
not
becoming
mature
by the
end
of
the
week
we
hear
God
saying
all
kinds
of
things
to
us
and
giving
us
his
commands
and
yeah
I'm
still
struggling
I'm
still
wrestling
with
that
be
patient
with
me
God
thank
you
for
your
patience
but
then
we
turn
around
and
we
don't
show
that
same
patience
to
our
own
kids
it's
just
one
example
this
disconnect
is
something
we
all
struggle
with
and
how
easy
it
is
to
be
blind
to
this
disconnect
in
our
own
lives
if
you
want
to
grow
and
become
a
more
loving
person
just
like
Jesus
commands
here
would
you
do
this
thing
would
you
ask
someone
in
your
life
perhaps
a
family
member
or
a
close
friend
ask
them
this
question
am
I
a
loving
person
do
you
see
me
as
a
truly
loving
person
what
do
you
see
in
my
life
that
I
need
to
grow
in
to
become
a
more
loving
person
to
become
more
like
Jesus
to
love
more
like
he
does
am
I
kind
am
I
slow
to
anger
am
I
quick
to
listen
am
I
compassionate
what
do
you
see
in
my
life
now
don't
ask
someone
who
you
know
will
just
tell
you
what
you
hope
to
hear
I
think
you
probably
know
who
some
of
those
people
are
ask
someone
you
know
will
tell
you
the
truth
and
then
just
humbly
listen
and
thank
them
for
whatever
they
share
with
you
blindness
is a
problem
where
love
is
lacking
over
the
past
year
we
conducted
a
membership
review
here
at
the
church
we
sat
down
with
all
of
our
church
members
and
we
asked
them
a
series
of
questions
we
just
wanted
to
get
a
sense
of
where
people
were
at
and
how
things
are
going
with
people
in
the
church
and
of
course
as
we
began
to
do
that
we
started
thinking
about
everybody
who
comes
here
and
where
are
we
at
as
a
church
what
are
those
areas
in
which
we
need
to
grow
and
it
was
really
good
we
had
many
good
conversations
we're
still
reflecting
on
those
we're
still
processing
those
and
as
we
were
going
through
this
process
one
thing
just
kind
of
came
into
my
heart
as
we
were
doing
this
and
I
have
to
say
it
it's
that
we
here
at
the
Davidson
Community
Bible
Church
we
need
to
grow
in
our
love
for
one
another
don't
get
me
wrong
there
were
many
good
things
many
encouraging
things
that
we
we've
been
looking
at
over
the
past
year
and
seeing
but
this
thing
of
loving
one
another
as
Jesus
has
loved
us
it's
an
area
where
we
need
to
grow
as
a
church
now
that
doesn't
mean
that
there's
no
love
flowing
between
us
that
we're
totally
loveless
no
there
is
love
and
we've
seen
lots
of
that
over
the
past
year
we've
seen
people
caring
for
each
other
we've
watched
as
people
go
and
meet
the
needs
of
others
in
the
church
we've
seen
people
serving
each
other
doing
sweet
things
for
each
other
offering
words
of
encouragement
to
each
but
there
is
still
room
for
us
to
grow
in
our
love
for
one
another
here
in
the
Davidson
Community
Bible
Church
one
of
the
things
that
I
have
been
noticing
is
that
we
and
I'm
going
to
include
myself
in
this
many
of
us
are
just
not
good
at
handling
conflict
and
I'll
be
the
first
to
acknowledge
that
conflict
with
other
people
is
hard
nobody
likes
conflict
we
want
peace
we
want
unity
but
we
see
these
dynamics
at
times
people
afraid
to
speak
the
truth
and
love
worried
that
it's
going
to
start
an
argument
or
start
a
fight
I
hear
people
tell
me
things
about
other
people
that's
kind
of
what
happens
when
you're
the
pastor
and
I
hold
those
things
in
confidence
oftentimes
it
goes
something
like
this
somebody
did
or
said
something
and
I'm
upset
about
it
offended
me
and
you
weren't
able
to
just
overlook
it
and
let
it
go
because
you're
still
hanging
on
to
it
even
at
this
point
as
I'm
hearing
about
it
and
instead
of
going
to
that
person
and
talking
with
them
telling
them
how
you're
feeling
how
what
they
said
or
did
hurt
you
or
offended
you
you've
been
kind of
just
holding
on
to
that
offense
and
it's
been
festering
and
suddenly
the way
you see
that
brother
or
sister
is
in
a
negative
light
without
even
realizing
it
you
misinterpret
things
that
they
say
assume
the
worst
of
their
intentions
become
suspicious
suddenly
there
becomes
a whole
list
of
things
that
you
start
to
notice
about
this
person
and
it's
growing
and
it's
affecting
your
relationship
with
that
person
the way
you
interact
with
them
and
treat
them
and
suddenly
you
don't
want
to
be
around
them
or
talk
with
them
at
church
anymore
or
if
you
have
to
keep
it
shallow
keep
it
pleasant
some
of you
are
holding
on
to
bitterness
and
grievances
some
of you
may
think
I'm
singling
you
out
in front
of
the
church
right
now
but
I
promise
I'm
not
I've
heard
and
seen
and
watched
this
similar
kind
of
thing
happen
quite
a few
times
between
a
variety
a
number
of
people
in
our
midst
over
the
past
five
years
and
I
don't
want
you
to
start
looking
around
the
room
and
wondering
who
are
the
offended
and
who
are
the
offenders
instead
I
want
to
encourage
each
one
of
you
to
pray
and
to
ask
God
about
yourself
I
want
you
to
ask
God
about
your
relationships
with
each
other
person
in
this
room
in
this
church
I
want
to
encourage
you
to
humble
yourself
and
ask
God
where
the
disconnect
has
been
happening
in
your
life
between
his
love
coming
in
and
your
love
going
out
to
one
another
don't
assume
it's
all
someone
else
that's
at
fault
you
know
some
of
these
conflicts
have
been
resolved
and
that's
a
joy
for
me
to
see
and
watch
as
a
pastor
people
have
had
the
heart
to
heart
conversation
they've
admitted
fault
to
one
another
apologized
and
asked
for
forgiveness
but it's
interesting
to me
how many
times
in those
situations
the
person
that
said
something
or
did
something
to
offend
they
weren't
even
aware
that
they
offended
you
or
did
something
to
offend
you
or hurt
you
misunderstanding
creeps in
so easily
and the
enemy
loves to
take a
hold of
those
things
and run
with
them
to
divide
us
the
kind
of
love
that
Jesus
has
for
us
it's
not
easy
to love
each other
like that
it takes
effort
it takes
courage
it takes
intentionality
it takes
heart
but
that's
what
Christ
has
commanded
and
that's
what
he
has
demonstrated
to
each
one
of
us
would
you
receive
that
wonderful
love
from
him
and
yet
withhold
it
from
a
brother
or
sister
the
gospel
is
not
that
we
will
ever
be
good
enough
to
deserve
God's
love
or
each
other's
love
the gospel
is that
God
has
loved
us
through
Christ
and
made
us
one
with
each
other
in
him
one
body
one
faith
one
Lord
one
spirit
okay
I get
it
yes
I need
to love
my
fellow
Christians
but that
doesn't
mean I
need to
like
them
right
that
doesn't
mean I
need to
be best
friends
with
them
right
this
is an
attitude
I've
heard
and seen
in our
church
as well
and it
too
falls
short
of the
love
that
Christ
has
commanded
you've
heard it
said
that
we
are
the
Bible
that
most
people
read
I
wonder
what
kind
of
Bible
people
outside
this
church
are
reading
when they
interact
with you
outside
these
walls
do they
read
from your
life
a love
like
Jesus
has
for us
or in
the Bible
they read
from you
did Jesus
say
this is
my
command
just
tolerate
each
other
yes
I have
seen
and heard
this
expressed
in our
own
church
just
tolerate
each
other
that's
good
enough
that's
being
faithful
and it
might
actually
describe
many of
the
relationships
that some
of us
are used
to having
with
difficult
people
in
families
or
friends
but it
still
falls
short
of how
Jesus
has
loved
us
did he
just put
up with
those
twelve
men
did he
just
tolerate
them
we know
his love
went way
way
beyond
that
we just
saw how
he washed
the feet
of Judas
knowing
what was
in his
heart
and Jesus
is saying
here that
our love
it must
go beyond
that too
not just
tolerate
but love
one another
as I
have loved
you
doesn't
mean
that there
won't
be
conflict
it
doesn't
mean
that
we
will
never
say
things
or do
things
to hurt
or offend
each other
we will
things won't
always be
pleasant
but yes
it does
mean
that we
have to
be
friends
it does
mean
that we
have to
be
in each
other's
lives
more
than that
it means
that we
are
family
in the
Lord
Jesus
brothers
and sisters
forever
and here's
the good
news
with God's
help
by the
power of
his spirit
that lives
in us
we don't
have to
be a
dysfunctional
and divided
arguing
fighting
family
we see
that happen
in our
world
that's
normal
for many
but with
God's
power
with his
spirit
in us
we can
actually rise
above that
but it
starts with
all of
us
humbly
admitting
to God
that we
fall short
of this
glorious
kind of
love
that he
has
commanded
it starts
with all
of us
asking him
to change
our hearts
to teach
us that
way of
real
authentic
kindness
gentleness
compassion
humility
and so
this is
something
that I
especially
want to
grow in
myself
this year
in 2023
by God's
grace
I'm praying
that God
will make
me
a more
loving
person
more like
Jesus
in the way
that I
think about
and treat
each one
of you
the way
I think
about and
treat
each
person
in my
family
I want
to encourage
you to
make it
your prayer
too
in this
year
is there
someone in
this church
who you need
to sit
down with
and apologize
to
is there
someone in
this church
who you need
to talk to
because they've
wronged you
and you
can't seem
to overlook
it
maybe there's
something they
said or
did
it's just
eating you up
inside
it's festering
what did
Jesus say
Matthew 18
verse 15
if your brother
or sister
sins
go and point
out their
fault
just between
the two
of you
if they
listen to
you
you have
won them
over
or Colossians
3 13
bear with
each other
it's another
word for
tolerate
so yes
tolerate
is part
of it
bear with
each other
and forgive
one another
if any of
you has
a grievance
against
someone
forgive as
the Lord
forgave you
do you
have a
grievance
against
someone
in this
church
that you've
been carrying
for a while
I want to
say to each
one of you
this morning
if there is
anything that
I have said
or done
that has
offended or
hurt you
please
tell me
come talk
to me
as far as
it depends
on me
I want to
take responsibility
for that
and I want
to make
it right
this is so
important for
us as a
church
if we grow
in every
other way
as a church
but fail
in this way
to love
one another
as Christ
has loved
us
it can
spoil
and hinder
everything
as Paul
says in
that famous
love chapter
1st Corinthians
13
we could have
all the
faith in
the world
faith enough
to move
mountains
we could
understand all
mysteries
have all
knowledge
we could have
all the
giftedness
all the
self
sacrifice
and devotion
to God
but if we
don't have
love
it all
amounts to
nothing
everything
is at
stake
with this
one
command
of
Christ
love
one
another
as I
have
loved
you
it has
to flow
from him
to us
and from
us
to each
other
it's by
this that
everyone will
know
that we
are
disciples
of
Jesus
let's
pray
father in
heaven we
want to
confess we
want to
admit our
own failings
to you
forgive us
for the
times when
we have
not shown
the love
you modeled
to one
another
forgive us
for the
times we've
hurt people
said things
we shouldn't
have said
done things
we shouldn't
have done
thank you
Lord Jesus
that you
died
so that we
could be
forgiven of
all of it
and now we
pray and ask
that you
would
you would
come and
fix that
disconnect
in our
hearts
more and
more so
that more
and more
we would
be a
living
testimony
to your
love for
us
your
awesome
love for
us
please do
that work
in us
we we
ask and
pray for
your glory
and for
your joy
Jesus
amen
happen
you
yeah
you
amen