Friday Morning: 22 Feb 2019 – John 15:12-27 ~ The world hates you, so love each other.

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 15:12-27 (NLT)

Love Each Other

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than 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 slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

The World Hates You

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”
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Morning Reflection:

The world hates you, so love each other.

+ Why does the world hate believers? Because the world hates Jesus –

believers belong to Jesus and are no longer part of it. (vs 19)
the world rejects Jesus and the one who sent him. (vs 21)
Jesus exposes the sin and guilt of the world. (vs 22)

You can see that I’ve reversed the order in today’s reading; the world’s rejection and hatred is not solely the reason that believers are called to love each other. However, it is true that if we are seeking acceptance and love, we should begin with believers.

+ How then are we to love each other? The same way Jesus loved us –

selectively – Jesus chose his friends, they didn’t choose him. (vs 16)
sacrificially – Jesus laid down his life for his friends. (vs 13)
obediently – Jesus’ friends live out his commands. (vs 15)
productively – Jesus’ friends tell others about him. (vs 27)

+ Telling others about Jesus is risky business. Lives lived in Christ threaten unbelievers; expect backlash. And backlash exposes our own hypocrisy, i.e. our inability to love others as Jesus loved us. The good news is – it’s not about us. Our testimony must point others to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will help us.

“But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.” – John 15:26-27

Questions for consideration:

Why do you think that believers tend to hang out with each other? Please explain.
Do you have both believing and unbelieving friends? How does your relationship with them differ? Please explain.
Have you experienced backlash from unbelievers? Please explain.
Who comes to mind when you think of telling an unbeliever about Jesus? What hinders you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Holy Spirit: Enlighten me with the truth of who Jesus is, and who I am in him. Change how I think about other believers, that I might welcome them as your chosen friends, appointed to give and receive the love of Jesus to one another. Help me recall all I have learned and experienced in my relationship with Jesus, that I might boldly bear witness to unbelievers – all to the honor and glory of the Father who sent him into the world. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Love Always Wins” – Michael W. Smith

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 21 Feb 2019 – John 15:1-11 ~ “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – John 15:1-11 (NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
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Morning Reflection:

Are you remaining in (abiding in, living in, staying joined to or untied with) Jesus Christ? The reason I ask, of course, is –

Jesus says: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5b

+ What does it mean to remain in Christ? Brian Hedges offers three interwoven suggestions –

Connection – a union that is life-giving and fruitful
Dependence – a union that requires reliance on its source of life
Continuance – a union that requires maintenance with its source to sustain the flow of life

If you believe in Jesus, you are in him. You are united to him. You are connected to the life-giving branch. But no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you can experience the reality of this connection to Jesus more and more. – Brian Hedges

+ How do we remain in Christ? How do we become more fruitful? How do we experience more of the joy that Jesus promises? How do we become more like Jesus?

By allowing Jesus’ teaching to become part of us, to transform our hearts and minds and will, to become infused onto our being. (vs 7)
By allowing Jesus’ love to overcome our fears, to conquer our doubts, to persevere in trials, and to live guilt-free with eternity in mind. (vs 9-10)

Our union with Christ is an intimate relationship that grows through time spent listening and learning, and through experience gained through loving and obeying.

Questions for consideration:

Rate your relationship with Jesus on a scale of 1-10 (close 1 and distant 10)? Please explain.
Do you want a closer relationship with Jesus? Yes/No/Maybe? Please explain.
How much time do you spend with Jesus, listening and learning? Please explain.
How has Jesus’ love and your obedience deepened your relationship with him, and been fruitful in your life and the life of others? Please explain.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in all of this? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Prune away the dead wood in my life and implant me into your Son, Jesus Christ, that his life might flow in me and through me and your Spirit might produce good fruit and loving service that glorifies you and advances your Kingdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Remain in Me”

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 20 Feb 2019 – John 14:25-31 ~ a gift of peace

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – John 14:25-31 (NLT)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit (Continued)

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
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Morning Reflection:

Is there something on your mind that’s unsettling you today? Is there something on your heart that’s troubling you – a fear or anxiety, a sadness or sorrow, a relationship or family issue, a financial or work-related issue, the immorality and evil run rampant in society, the corruption and deceit of government, something else? Make up your own list; it’s not difficult because we are living in troubled times.

The good news is that Jesus has given us his peace for such a time as this.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

Two aspects of the peace that Jesus offers stand out in today’s reading –

+ Jesus has given us his Spirit (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby) – we are not alone, his Spirit is with us and in us:

to teach us everything, or make everything plain to us. (vs 14:26)
to remind us of everything that Jesus taught. (vs 14:26)

+ Jesus will come back again, in all his eternal glory:

to usher in the Day of Judgement, and right all wrongs. (vs 12:48)
to take us to the heavenly home he has already prepared for us. (vs 14:2)

Questions for consideration:

What’s troubling your heart? Is it the Holy Spirit stirring within you, or a deceitful spirit sent from the evil one? How do you tell the difference? Please explain.
What has the Holy Spirit taught you? What teaching, or command, of Jesus has the Holy Spirit brought to your attention? What did you do about it? Please explain.
When everything seems to be going wrong around you, how does the promise of Jesus’ glorious return affect you – strengthen or encourage you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Almighty God: Our minds and hearts are troubled by all the ills that beset us and the world in which we live. In the midst of the chaos and confusion around us, we seek the peace of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In his name, we give all our worries and cares to you! Give us the discernment to distinguish between the movement of your Spirit within us, and the wiles and deceit of the devil who seeks to destroy us.

And, by your grace, restore us, support us, and strengthen our foundation in Christ Jesus as await his glorious return. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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“It Is Well” – Kristene DiMarco | You Make Me Brave

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 19 Feb 2019 – John 14:15-24 ~ obedience is the consequence of love

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

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Morning Reading – John 14:15-24 (NLT)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

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Morning Reflection:

Today’s reading is a continuation of yesterday’s – click here. The disciples were troubled because Jesus told them that he would soon be leaving them. And today, Jesus moves the conversation along –

From believing in him – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” – John 14:9
To loving and obeying him – “If you love me, obey my commandments.” – John 14:15

Jesus links believing in him with loving him, and loving him with obeying him. Follow Jesus’ reasoning:

If we believe that Jesus, the Word of God, was “with God and was God,” then are we are to love him (with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength). Obedience, then, is the natural consequence of our love.

And Jesus restates it three times –

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (vs 15)
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.” (vs 21)
“All who love me will do what I say.” (vs 23)

But obedience is not simply an act of our will. Jesus knows that we will need help –

“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that Jesus is worthy of the same love and devotion due God? Please explain.
Is it possible to love Jesus without obeying him? Please explain.
Is it possible to obey Jesus without loving him? Please explain.
Is it possible to love and obey Jesus without the help of the Holy Spirit? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus: I believe that you and the Father are one, and with the Holy Spirit, you are one God – the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help me love you with all my heart, and all my mind, and all my strength that I might serve you faithfully and do the work you have given me to do – to the honor and glory of your Name. Amen.

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“If Ye Love Me” – Cambridge Singers under John Rutter (Thomas Tallis)

If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another comforter,
that he may ‘bide with you forever, e’en the spirit of truth.
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 18 Feb 2019 – John 14:1-14 ~ Only one way!

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – John 14:1-14 (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
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Morning Reflection:

The disciples are troubled because Jesus has just told them that he would soon be leaving them. Where was he going? Why couldn’t they go with him? What would they do without him? And Jesus responds –

“Trust in God, and trust also in me.” – John 14:1b

And then Jesus adds –

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

In tomorrow’s reading, Jesus promises to send his Spirit to be with us while we await his return. But let’s look at how Jesus’ “I am…” declarations speak to us today.

+ Jesus is the “Lamb of God,” the only Way into the presence of God.
+ Jesus is “God with us,” the personification of the Truth of God.
+ Jesus is the “Word of God,” the giver of Life with God, now and forever.

Questions for your consideration:

How do you respond to the popular notion that all religions lead to God? What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as the “Lamb of God?” Please explain.
How do you respond to the popular notion that all truth is subjective, i.e. my truth is not necessarily your truth? What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as “God with us,” the personification of Truth? Please explain.
How do you respond to the popular notion that this life is all there is, “the one with the most toys at the end wins?” What significance do you place in Jesus’ unique role as the “Word of God,” the giver of a full, satisfying life – both now and forever? Please explain.
How do you respond to the popular notion that evangelism is an intrusion into another person’s personal space, even hateful? If you believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and that no one can come to the Father except through him, what responsibility do you have to say so? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: You alone are the “Lamb of God,” who takes away our sin; you alone are “God with us,” the one who reveals absolute Truth; you alone are the “Word of God,” the giver of Life – there is no other Way to come to the Father. Fill us with a wellspring of love for the lost, that we might overcome all our inhibitions and reach out to them for their good and your glory. I ask this in your Name. Amen.
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“The Way” – Pat Barrett (New Horizon)

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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