The Life That God Calls Great: Loving Jesus | Christopher Searcy

The Life That God Calls Great: Loving Jesus

Previous Truths:

We know through scripture that He is a worthy leader because his leadership is perfect:

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP - 4 VALUES

A. Influence – the leader behaves in a such a way that people want to emulate them. They reflect behaviors and attitudes

that others aspire to and want to model - “That’s the kind of person I want to be.”

B. Motivation – The leader says, “I have a vision, a tremendous vison. We’re going to achieve it, you can be apart, and

this is how.” It makes others say “yes.”

C. Partnership – the leader recognizes people have something to contribute, they desire partnership and collaboration.

They see success tied to the contribution and gifting of others beyond themselves. (The Body of Christ)

D. Consideration – knowing the individual – what do people bring to the table? Who are they? More than what they can

do. Personal and knowing what’s going on in people lives. Be sensitive, support and help them work through personal

issues beyond their direct functional contribution

We know through scripture some of the attributes that describe him:

HE IS A LOVER

“I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is toward me.” Song of Solomon 7:10

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you.” John. 15:9

HE IS A FIERCE AND JUST KING.

“3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

4. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach

thee terrible things.

5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Psalms 45:3-5

Jesus is heir of all

Whom He has appointed heir of all things… Heb. 1:2

Jesus is the creator of worlds

Whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom He made the worlds… Heb. 1:2

Jesus is the sustainer of the universe

And upholding all things by the word of His power… Heb. 1:3

Jesus is the redeemer of the universe

He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty… Heb. 1:3

Jesus is the ruler of the universe

13 Behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days…

14To Him was given dominion…that all peoples…should serve Him. Dan. 7:13-14

He wants you with him.

24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory

which You have given Me… (Jn. 17:24)

The Life That God Calls Great: Loving Jesus

John 13-17 is the teaching given by the Jesus during the Last Supper. Jesus spoke this to the leadership of His

new Church to prepare them to walk in a way that God calls “great” and to thrive spiritually even in the face of

intense pressures and temptations.

This is where I believe we find ourselves today.

7“ The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Rev. 19:7

How do we live a life pleasing to God? How do we make sure we are ready?

Love the lord your God

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus defined loving God as the “first” and “great” commandment.

Thus identifying it as the Spirit’s first priority in the kingdom, the “first” calling for our life,

CONTEXT:

In Deuteronomy Moses teaches the Israelites who have turned away from God to idols. This is to the generation

of Israelites about to enter the Promised Land after 40 years

The narrative of Deuteronomy is set on the east side of the Jordan River, on the plains of Moab, within view of

Canaan. This is where the Israelites camped after their 40 years of wilderness wanderings.

The commands are to turn away from Idols, to Obey, and Love will grow.

Deuteronomy 30: 2,6

2 and when you and your children return to the Lord your God,

2 and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today,

6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him

with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

The lord your God will carve your heart over time so that your desires become his, so that your affections

become his, he will teach you how to love him.

Marriage is a carnal parallel. When two people come together they must learn each other’s love language. We

must be taught how to love. Luckily, the Holy Spirit is our teacher, and he is the best!

However, turning away from idols towards obedience is a non-negotiable.

Jesus linked loving God with obeying God five times in John 14:

In John14:15, If you love Me, keep My commandments

In John14:21, He who…keeps them, it is he who loves… Me

In John14:23, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word

In John14:24, He who does not love Me does not keep My words

In John14:31, 31I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do

Jesus defined loving God as being deeply rooted in a spirit of obedience.

THE PROMISE

Deuteronomy 30: 2-4

2 and when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all

your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes[a]

and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you

have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you

and bring you back.

It doesn’t matter how far you have gone, how dark you think the darkness is he will bring you back.

The Lord will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors… Deut 30:9