In this World		“Love One Another”		John 15: 7-17

Intro:	I was like one of these 1st graders…  church kid.
•	No meal on Sunday night!  PB&J; popcorn; fried balony;
	At times; Leftovers…  Mom would just put it all out on 	the counter and you could get whatever you wanted!

t/s – Tonight; I am going to put a lot out on the counter…
	… more concerned with nourishment than presentation.
	You grab on to something you need this week!

John 15: 7-8  (a point of clarification)

“Ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you!”  (wow!)

Many have misused this promise…  
Would it be a blessing or a curse if God gave you whatever you asked?
	ILL – Imagine a mother and young child at lunch…

I thank My Father; that He has not given me everything I ask!

Context:  Abiding in Christ; His words abiding in you; bearing fruit 		and Glorifying the Father…

ILL – FB Meyer, “Words like a solemn council sitting to try our
		Prayers before they pass into the Master’s presence.”

John 15: 9-12	(mentioned this AM as “fruit”; but let’s read together)

Vs. 9a		Settle here a moment… amazing… settled reality
Vs. 9b		Make yourself at home in My love…
VS. 12		I am struck by how wrong are the instinct of sinful man.
a)	Obedience is Tyranny
b)	His Joy and my Joy are mutually exclusive!

ILL – It is better not to know so much….

Obedience is Freedom; 
My Joy is made full when His Joy is in me.
John 15: 12-17	Plowing new Ground…

Love Is the Theme of this paragraph… book ends!
The Standard and Motive for our Love == His Love for Us.

Substitution (13)
“For” = Voluntary and Substitutionary…  
	More than an example of love… a redemptive act.

	Do you need help loving your brother?
	Go to the Cross.

Revelation (14-15)
Exp – Jesus is using “friends” for a specific purpose.
•	obviously, over applied… “buddies”
•	Friends and Slaves both Obey the Master.
	Difference = privileged to deeper insight of purpose
•	Abraham and Moses are called friends of God.

Election (16)
Exp – In the normal order, disciples chose their teacher… Not Jesus.
	Some restrict this talk of Choice to the 12… not consistent.
	Disciples in This World… Revelation might bring pride…

	“He Chose me” – emphatic… 
		“It was not you that chose Me.  I Myself chose you.”
	
	Point:  Initiative of Grace.
		Purpose of Grace --- appointed, ordained, set you apart

App – Don’t be afraid of election.  He chose us.  He knew me before I 	knew him; love me before I loved Him; chose to call me before 	I chose to answer Him.  All This is His Love!

Ill – Josiah Ponder, “My Lord, I Did Not Choose You.”  Hymn # 289

Conclusion:  Are you struggling to fulfill the Law of Love?
•	Consider how He has loved you!
•