Unfortunately, more want to be part of that community, but are not willing to sacrifice to create it.
“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 (34-35).”
Main Idea: Jesus calls us to be an apologetic; a witness to the world of His good news by BEING a community of self-sacrificing love.
Downtown Church exists to create a radical new community loving God and neighbor.
I. Love will not go unchallenged.
First, the other 11 disciples had no clue Judas was Judas.
Second, every indication is that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, and yet He still washed his feet, he still loved! ...if Jesus can love Judas, He can also empower you to love the Judas’ in your life.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that (Mt. 43-47)?”
Third, you will not win everyone with love, but don’t stop loving. “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
II. The Love to which we are called is defined by Love Himself. Jesus calls us to Jesus' love, not an invention of our imagination or culture.
“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 (34).”
WE are created and redeemed to be a reservoir, not a lake.
Our hearts must continually be humbled by our sin, more than hardened by the sins of others. “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17).”
The way of sin is hiding, the way of Jesus is vulnerability, honesty, confession, repentance, faith and delight in the sufficiency of His finished work that empowers a radical, thus self sacrificing love.
III. The world will know us, not by a perfect witness, but a sacrificial love.
“Peter asked, ‘Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times (37-38)!”
“We are philosophers not in words but in deeds; we exhibit wisdom not by our dress but by truth; we know virtues by their practice rather than through boasting of them; we do not speak great things but we live them.” Cyprian of Carthage describing the early Christians.
