THE WAY 2 – CHOOSE SACRIFICIAL LOVE, 4-12-26, Lead Pastor Jeff Aenk, New Hope Christian Church
Key Verse - John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - Jesus
JESUS LOVES EVEN HIS ENEMIES & HE EXPECTS HIS FOLLOWERS TO DO THE SAME.
1. Jesus Sacrificial Love for Us
Romans 5:6-8 - 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Jesus Wants His Love Flowing To & Through Us
John 15:9-14 - 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 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. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
3. Jesus Loved His Enemy Judas & Even Washed His Feet
John 13:1-5 - 1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
4. Jesus Wants Us To Love Even Our Enemies
Matthew 5:43-48 - 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
*When Someone Upsets or Hurts you, & you don’t FEEL like Loving them, Stop, & Remember that you’ve Hurt Jesus with Your Sins, & Yet He Still Loves You. Then, Choose to Love Like Jesus, Instead of Hate, & Show it by Choosing to be Kind.
*If you did Not get a , “What Would Jesus Do?” – WWJD – Bracelet last Week, We have some in the Green Buckets at the Communion Tables, to help you Live & Apply the Principles in your Life during this Series.
JESUS LOVES EVEN HIS ENEMIES & HE EXPECTS HIS FOLLOWERS TO DO THE SAME.
1. Jesus Sacrificial Love for Us
Romans 5:6-8 - 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Jesus Wants His Love Flowing To & Through Us
John 15:9-14 - 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 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. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
3. Jesus Loved His Enemy Judas & Even Washed His Feet
John 13:1-5 - 1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
4. Jesus Wants Us To Love Even Our Enemies
Matthew 5:43-48 - 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
*When Someone Upsets or Hurts you, & you don’t FEEL like Loving them, Stop, & Remember that you’ve Hurt Jesus with Your Sins, & Yet He Still Loves You. Then, Choose to Love Like Jesus, Instead of Hate, & Show it by Choosing to be Kind.
*If you did Not get a , “What Would Jesus Do?” – WWJD – Bracelet last Week, We have some in the Green Buckets at the Communion Tables, to help you Live & Apply the Principles in your Life during this Series.