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[0:00] John chapter 14, verse 15. If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever.

[0:12] The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and he will be in you.

[0:24] I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore. But you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

[0:37] On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he's the one who loves me.

[0:49] He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to him. Then Judas, not Judas Iscariot, said, But Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?

[1:07] Jesus replied, If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.

[1:20] These words you hear are not my own. They belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while I while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

[1:39] Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

[1:53] You heard me say, I am going away and I am coming back to you. If you love me, you would be glad that I'm going to the Father. For the Father is greater than I.

[2:05] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer. For the Prince of this world is coming.

[2:17] He has no hold on me. But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

[2:28] Come now. Let us leave. Our Lord Jesus, we thank you for these words that we have read. Thank you for preserving them for us and bringing them to our attention and our ears and to our hearts for the many promises that we find there.

[2:47] Pray for our brother, our pastor, as he comes and he speaks to us. Give him the words of life. Holy Spirit, bring the word of truth to our hearts, not merely in word, but with power.

[3:04] With a clear evidence that these words are divine so that they will change us. And that word will encourage us and convict us.

[3:15] That it would lift up the downhearted. And it would cast down the proud. That it would pull up and it would build up.

[3:27] It would do all the things that you call your word to do. Pray that in the next hour that it would have a powerful effect upon us by the might of the Holy Spirit himself.

[3:40] Father, we want to pray for our brother Max and Michael and Monica and the rest of the family. The passing of a wife and a mother.

[3:53] Lord, thank you for that promise that you are close to the brokenhearted. And we pray that you would remember your promise to them to be close in this time.

[4:04] To uphold them. To comfort them. To do them good. To sustain them and just hold them together in these days of sadness.

[4:15] And we pray, Lord, that you would help us to mourn with those who mourn. To know how to comfort and to know what to say.

[4:29] That we would be a blessing to them. And I pray also for our brother Naftali. He's had a week of this conference in Washington, D.C.

[4:40] And I pray that that would have been a great time for him. And that the things that he learned and saw and heard. And the people that he met. That all those things would be a blessing to him.

[4:51] And that they would translate to more effectiveness. And a better ministry. A closer ministry to what you desire. Back in Eldoret. We pray for the church there while he is gone.

[5:05] That you would give them good teaching. That you would protect them. And Lord Jesus, that you would be their shepherd. And care for them. And we do pray for our brother as he has this week.

[5:18] With Pastor John and Jose. That it would be a time of rest. And restoration. It would be a time of revival. In his own heart. That you would do him good.

[5:29] And through him. The church there in Eldoret. And finally. There are those. Father here. Who.

[5:40] Have hardened hearts. And who are unresponsive to your word. And so we pray that you would take out the heart of stone.

[5:51] Just as you have promised. And put in. Into them a heart of flesh. That would obey. That would believe. Lord you have promised that you would do this. That you would take out hearts of stone.

[6:03] And put in hearts of flesh. And so we. So I pray that you would do. And accomplish. And fulfill that promise. Even in this hour.

[6:15] The Holy Spirit. You would come and blow. And hover upon their hearts. And bring. Out of their darkness. And their death. New spiritual life. That they would hear.

[6:26] Where they're not hearing. That they would see. Where they're not seeing now. That you would save. Lord you are glorified. In the salvation of sinners.

[6:37] And so please glorify yourself. In this way. We pray. Please help us. Please do us good. Through this whole day. And bless us.

[6:47] In Jesus name. I do pray. Amen. Amen. Let's hear the preaching of God's word. The most loving and lovable person in the universe.

[7:09] Is the Lord Jesus Christ. He's the most lovable. He's the most beautiful. He's the fairest of ten thousand.

[7:21] He's the one standout. Among all the rest. He's made beautiful. With the beauty of holiness. That means there's no sin.

[7:32] To mar. His loveliness. No self-centeredness. No ugly arrogance. To repel us. Nothing in all of his character. Or action. That would make it hard for us.

[7:43] To love him. He's all together. Lovely. Every single thing about him. Draws us to him. As a magnet. To know him.

[7:54] Is to love him. And indeed. The one who knows him best. Loves him the most. His own heavenly father. This is my beloved son.

[8:05] He loves his son. And the more we get to know him. The more we love him. That's not quite like some people. That we. We know from a distance.

[8:16] And we. Come near to them. And we get to know them better. And we seem to. Find it harder to love them. Not with our savior. He is the most lovable person. In the universe. He's also the most loving.

[8:29] Person. His love is perfect. It's intense. It's selfless. It's unfailing love. And we're going to say more about his love. In. This.

[8:40] Sermon. But suffice it to say. At this point. That no one. Has ever loved like Jesus. Now.

[8:50] He's the most lovable. And loving person. We might conclude then. That everyone would love him. Right. Who would not love him. Well.

[9:01] That would be to make a mistake. Wouldn't it. A lot of people say. They love Jesus. Who don't really. Love him. They may have fooled themselves. And. And others. But they don't love him.

[9:13] And did you know. That the Bible pronounces. A curse. Upon everyone. That does not love Jesus. First Corinthians. 16. 22. If anyone. Does not love the Lord.

[9:24] A curse. Be upon them. So this whole matter. Of love for Jesus. It's a big thing. It's a very important matter. So. So how do we know.

[9:35] Who loves Jesus. How do I know. If I love him. Well. It's not by some warm. Fuzzy feeling. That we have inside.

[9:45] Though. Love is in part. An emotional. Thing. And neither. Is it something. So mysterious. That it's difficult. To know. Do I love Jesus.

[9:57] Who loves Jesus. No. There's an unmistakable mark. Upon every single one. Who loves Jesus. And it's Jesus himself. Who tells us.

[10:07] What that is. Here in our text. Not once. Not twice. But three times. He tells us. Verse 15. Of John 14.

[10:18] If you love me. You will. Obey. What I command. John. 14. 21. Whoever has my commands. And obeys them.

[10:28] He's the one. Who loves me. And then. In verse 23. If anyone loves me. He will. Obey. My teaching.

[10:40] We have it from the Lord's lips. Love. Obeys. Or it's no love at all. Now. To be sure that we get it.

[10:51] He says it once more. In the negative. In verse 24. He who does not. Love me. Will not. Obey. My teaching. So. Nothing could be clear. Our first point.

[11:02] I trust it's been established. Is the unmistakable proof. Of love for Jesus. Is obedience. The unmistakable. Proof of love for Jesus.

[11:12] Is obedience to his commands. But why? Why is that true? Why is it that. Everyone. Who loves Jesus.

[11:24] Obeys Jesus. Obeys Jesus. What's the connection. Between loving him. And obeying him. Just this. That love. Always generates. Obedience. Love produces.

[11:36] Obedience. Obedience is the way. That real love behaves. Toward Jesus. Indeed. Love is the fulfilling.

[11:47] Of the law. So. Imagine that you're a frightened. Teenage slave girl. In pre-civil war. Times in the south. You're in rags.

[11:57] You're hungry. You've just got off a ship. From Africa. A few days earlier. And now you're on. The auction block. For sale. And there's a wealthy.

[12:08] And wicked plantation owner. Who's known to mercilessly. Beat his servants. To barely feed them. And especially to mistreat. His slave girls.

[12:19] And he looks at you. With an evil eye. And starts the bidding. And a few others. Bid against him. But it soon becomes clear. That he intends to have you.

[12:29] And there's no one. In those parts. That can compare. With the wealth. That he has. What he wants. He gets. And so. With all the other bidders. Dropping out.

[12:39] One by one. The auctioneer. Cringes. And says. Going once. Going twice. And then a voice. From the back. Raises the bid.

[12:51] Tremendously. And all the eyes. Turn to see. Who this is. And there's a gentleman. With his wife. They were just passing. Through town.

[13:01] And they saw the crowd. Gathered. They pressed in. And soon put together. What was happening. And had pity on this. On you. This poor slave girl. And angered.

[13:13] By someone. Opposing him. The wicked plantation owner. Greatly ups his bid. And back and forth. The bidding goes. At a ferocious pace. To a price. That had never before.

[13:24] Been paid. For a slave. And at last. The wicked man. Just curses. And walks away. You can have her. He says. And to your great relief.

[13:35] You're handed over. Then to the gentleman. And his wife. And they promptly. Take you to the store. And buy you. New clothes. And shoes. And then to the restaurant. And feed you.

[13:46] And then. The long journey home. When you get there. You're taken to. A comfortable room. Of your own. In the home. And the next morning.

[13:57] After breakfast. The kind wife. Gives you. Your first command. I want you to go. To the bakery for me. And buy five loaves. Of bread. Here's the money. And the directions.

[14:08] How do you respond. To that command. From your master. Well your love. For your new masters.

[14:19] And all they've done. For you. Would move you. To willingly obey them. Because real love. Generates obedience. Obedience.

[14:29] Is the way. That real love behaves. And it's the same way. Whenever Jesus. Redeems a sinner. From that hard task master. That slave driver.

[14:42] Satan. And bondage to Satan. Well. A love for the redeemer. Is born in the heart.

[14:53] It's a love. That generates a desire. To please the new master. A love that moves you. To follow his decrees. And to be careful. To keep his laws. When we love Jesus.

[15:04] His commandments. Then become. Our happy choice. Love makes us feel. That we're never more free. Than when we're in bondage. To him. And to his commands. This is what I was made for.

[15:16] To obey. And to serve. This master. Yes. That's what Jesus says. If you love me. You will obey. What I command. And children.

[15:27] That's as true as you. As it is of adults. Here today. If you love Jesus. You will obey. His commands. It's so consistent. Is this connection.

[15:38] Between loving. And obeying. That where the life. Is not marked. By a new obedience. To. To Jesus word. It's evidence. Of an absence.

[15:48] Of love for Jesus. Because every lover. Of Jesus. Obeys him. Without exception. Down to the last one. They become his willing servants.

[15:59] Moved by love. To do his will. Rather than their own. So Saul of Tarsus. Has no love for Jesus. And he doesn't give a rip.

[16:10] About what he says. His words. He hates Jesus. He blasphemes Jesus. He murders. And persecutes. Jesus followers.

[16:23] But when Jesus. Showed mercy. To Saul. On the road. To Damascus. His reflex. Response. Was. Lord. Master. What would you have me.

[16:37] To do. What would you want. Me. To do. And Jesus commands. That meant nothing. To him before. Now become the marching. Orders of him.

[16:48] Whom his soul. Now loves. His newfound love. For Jesus. Moves him. To pour out his life. In obedient service. To his commands.

[17:00] And he views himself. As the winner. For having done so. The love of Christ. Compels us. To no longer. Live for ourselves. But for him. Who died for us.

[17:12] And rose again. So the saving love of Jesus. Always wins the heart. Of his saved ones. That's why they keep his commands.

[17:22] They love him. And keep. His commands. Even his. Hard commands. Like deny yourself. Like say no.

[17:34] To that. Evil desire. Like take up your cross. An instrument. In which you must die. To sell. And follow me. Love enables.

[17:45] Love produces. Obedience. To the hardest. Commands. Of Jesus. And the reason. They keep his commands. Is because they are the commands. Of the one that they love.

[17:56] And that makes all the difference. Love makes. Obedience. Sweet. So I must ask you. Has. Jesus love. Won your love.

[18:07] And obedience. It's not something mysterious. And on. Something we can't. Learn. No. Those who love me. Keep my commands. The unmistakable.

[18:19] Proof of love. Now if you're still. Must answer that. Honestly. And say no. I don't. I don't love Jesus. And I don't. I don't keep his commands. I'm still going my way.

[18:32] Rather than submitting. To his way. Well the answer for you. Is not just to try harder. To love and obey Jesus. It's rather to bring your sins. To Jesus.

[18:42] Just as you are. And to confess. That you haven't loved him. You haven't obeyed him. And to plead.

[18:53] That he will have mercy. On your poor soul. And to trust. In what he did. On the cross. To make you right. With God. And he will forgive you. He will delete your sins.

[19:04] He will adopt you. Into his own family. And then what will you do? You will love him. And you will keep his commands. Well. You will fall again.

[19:17] But you will get up. And you will confess again. And you will walk again. In his ways. And you will grow in your love. And you will grow in your obedience. But that is the unmistakable proof.

[19:28] Of love for Jesus. It's obedience. To his commands. Now that's our first point. And it's as plain as the nose on your face. In this passage. Repeated over and over.

[19:39] The second point this morning. Is the gracious rewards. Of love for Jesus. The unmistakable proof of it. Now the gracious rewards of.

[19:49] It's really amazing. That Jesus would reward us. For loving him. That's why I say. The gracious rewards. You don't earn these rewards.

[19:59] By loving Jesus. No. In fact. If you love Jesus. You're only doing your duty. Listen to the way. Jesus puts it. In Luke 17. Suppose one of you.

[20:11] Had a servant. Plowing. Or looking after the sheep. Would you say to the servant. When he comes in from the field. Come along now. And sit down and eat. Would he not rather say.

[20:23] Prepare my supper. Get yourself ready. And wait on me. While I eat and drink. And after that. You may eat and drink. Would he thank the servant. Because he did what he was told to do.

[20:34] So you also. When you have done. Everything you were told to do. Should say. We are unworthy servants.

[20:45] We've only done. Our duty. You see. If you could possibly. Love God. With all of your heart. Soul. Mind.

[20:55] And strength. If you could do all. That you were. Commanded to do. It would not put God. Into your debt. You remain indebted to.

[21:05] You owe him that love. From the get go. He's your good creator. You owe him that love. You don't. Make him owe you something. He doesn't owe you. Some reward. For loving him. Jesus is God.

[21:19] And so it is. Our greatest duty. To love him. With all of our heart. All of our mind. All of our soul. All of our strength. That means.

[21:30] That any rewards. For loving Jesus. Are pure grace. Unmerited. By us. Who have only done. Our duty. Furthermore. The value. Of these rewards. Far outstrips.

[21:41] The value. Of our faltering. Love for Jesus. I mean. When you put the two. In the balance. My love for Jesus. And the rewards. That he gives for that.

[21:52] As we're going to see. In a moment. They're not an equal. Tit for tat. Like. Like when you earn. A paycheck. What happens? Well. You put in. So many hours.

[22:03] Of your time. Working. And that brings to you. An equal reward. For what you put in. Your time. For his money. You earned it.

[22:16] But when we come. And see these rewards. That God gives. For our. Little love. For Jesus. We know. It can't be something.

[22:27] That is earned. It's rather. Free. Unreserved. Gifts. But they are only given. To those who love him. Now.

[22:39] Notice what they are. Verse 21. He who has my commands. And obeys them. He is the one who loves me. Now here they come. He who loves me.

[22:50] Will be loved by my father. Father. And I too. Will love him. And will show myself. To him. Now let's impact. Unpack. These three rewards. One by one.

[23:02] The one who loves me. Number one. Will be loved by my father. We've just heard something. About that in our worship. Haven't we? What it means. To be loved by. Jesus own father.

[23:15] To have his father. Love us. As his own children. To have him caring for me. With a perfect wisdom. That knows exactly. The best thing for me.

[23:27] In every situation. To have him caring for me. With an amazing love. That wants the very best thing. For me. And caring for me.

[23:38] With an almighty power. That is able to bring about. What is best for me. To love Jesus. Is to be loved by his father. The father.

[23:48] The father loves his son. And so he loves. Everyone who loves his son. But there's even more. For Jesus goes on to say. In the second place.

[23:58] I too will love him. The one who loves me. I too will love him. Not just my father's love. But my own love. And what is this?

[24:10] To be loved by him. Who my soul loves. Some of you know.

[24:21] What it is. To love someone. That does not love you. In return. Unrequited love. It is downright torture.

[24:33] To be in love with someone. That doesn't love you. Anyone know what I mean? You don't need to.

[24:43] Raise your hand. The broken heart clubs. But if you. If you have. Known the reality. Of being in love. With someone. Who's not. Loved you. In return. You know what I mean.

[24:53] When I say. It is torment. It is torment. Indeed. It's one of the four things. In Proverbs 30. That are so heavy. That the earth trembles.

[25:04] Under the weight of it. Unable to bear it up. An unloved woman. Who is married. To love someone. Who doesn't love you. Is a burden.

[25:15] Too heavy. For the planet. Ah. But the opposite. Is as blissful. As that. Is miserable. And some of you know that.

[25:27] I was going to ask Georgie. If that's not true. I don't see her this morning. But she'll tell you. That it's a glorious. Blissful thing. To be loved. By someone. That you love.

[25:38] Love. And there's gobs of you. That I could call out. Who know the reality. Of that. By the grace of God.

[25:48] In your relationships. With each other. It's joy. It's euphoric. It's bliss. It's not something heavy. That the earth buckles. Under the weight of. It's rather.

[25:59] You're so light. Your feet barely touch the ground. And the sun's always shining. And the birds are always singing. Because the one I love. Loves me. And what's true.

[26:09] Of an earthly relationship. Of being loved. By the one you love. It's but a faint shadow. Of this far more glorious reality. Of loving Jesus. And having him.

[26:21] Love you. In return. It's the blessed state. Of those. Who love Jesus. That he promises. To love them. And his love for us.

[26:32] Is always so much better. Than ours for him. His love is perfect. His love is unfailing. Whereas mine for him. Is faltering. Fluctuating.

[26:43] His love is eternal. And yet ever new. Always fresh. Whereas. I can lose my first. Fresh love. His love is self kindling.

[26:55] Ours depends upon his. And so I trust. You can see. That my pathetic love. For him. Can never merit. His perfect love. For me. That's grace.

[27:06] But it is a gracious. Reward. That is given to who? To those who love Jesus. Jesus love.

[27:20] Who can put a price tag. On being loved. By the one that you love. Even Jesus. Being loved. With a love. That will not let you go. Woe. What's it worth to you.

[27:31] In days of weariness. And woe. Would you not agree. That there's no higher reward. For loving Jesus. Than being loved. Back by him. It's a heaven on earth.

[27:46] There was a great theologian. Who spent his life. Studying and teaching. The word of God. And. Someone toward the end. Of his life. Said sir. What's the greatest truth.

[27:56] You ever discovered. In the Bible. And without. A break. He said. Jesus loves me. This I know. For the Bible. Tells me so.

[28:07] The greatest. Truth. Do you still find. Jesus love. For you amazing. Lovers of Jesus. Do you still.

[28:19] Stand amazed. In the presence. Of Jesus. The Nazarene. And wonder. How he could love me. A sinner. Condemned. Unclean. Do you know. For a thousand years now.

[28:30] The lovers of Jesus. Have been singing. These words. About his love. But what to those. Who find. Ah this. Nor tongue. Nor pen.

[28:41] Can tell. The love of Jesus. What it is. None. But his loved ones. Know. They know. Just how precious. And blissful. It is.

[28:51] To be loved. By the one. We love. Even Jesus. Do you know that. By experience. The apostle John did. It formed part of his identity.

[29:01] As he speaks in his own gospel. Of himself. He describes himself. As the one. The disciple. That Jesus loved. There was no higher. Thought in his mind.

[29:13] No higher honor. To. But to think of himself. Do you think of yourself. That way. Child of God. Lovers of Jesus. That Jesus loves me. I am the disciple.

[29:23] That Jesus loves. Nothing better. Than this. Well. It is something. The apostle Paul.

[29:34] Could never get over. That the son of God. Loved me. And gave himself. For me. Indeed. Whoever has my commands. And obeys them. He is the one. Who loves me. And he who loves me.

[29:46] Will be loved. By my father. And I too. Will love him. And show myself. To him. That's the third reward. Gracious reward. For lovers of Jesus.

[29:57] He says. I will show myself. To you. Now we only know. As much of Jesus. As he shows us. And here is this promise.

[30:09] That I will show myself. To you. In ways that I will not. Show myself. To those that don't love me. And this is not. A showing of himself. In a physical appearance.

[30:23] As he showed himself. To his disciples. In the upper room. And showed his hands. In his feet. A physical. Showing of himself. No. This. Is talking here and now.

[30:34] A spiritual revealing. Of himself. To the eyes of faith. Of those who love him. He shows us. Himself. He makes himself. Known to us.

[30:45] He. He shows us more of his glory. More of his. Nearness. His presence. His. His love for us. Through the work of this comforter.

[30:56] The Holy Spirit. That the Father would send. Who does what? Who takes the things of Christ. Christ. And makes them known to us. Who shows us the things of Christ.

[31:07] He makes them real to us. So that when we read in the scriptures. About Jesus glorious. Not some fairy tale. Fantasy. And far off. No. It's real.

[31:18] It's as real as the things we do see. With the physical eye. I will show myself. To you. And I confess. I don't know what all this means.

[31:28] To have Jesus show himself. To those that love him. But what little I know of. Experience of it. Is pure treasure. To have Jesus show himself.

[31:40] To us. In the reading. In the preaching of the word. To have him open our eyes.

[31:51] To see. More of himself. More of his character. More of his love. Who died for me. In the Lord's Supper. To have him shed abroad.

[32:03] His love in my heart. Clear views of himself. A heartwarming reality. His love. I love you.

[32:14] That's what he says in the Lord's Supper. He's showing himself to us. In times of prayer. Showing himself to be one who's listening. With rapt attention to what we say.

[32:27] In times of grief and sorrow. Showing himself to have a sympathetic heart. Beating with love for your heart. Knowing what you're going through. Showing himself to you in troubles and confusion.

[32:40] That his presence. That his presence is real. He is with you. As an ever present help. In trouble. And it's made real to you.

[32:51] He's showing himself to you. In our joys and victories. And answered prayers. We're overwhelmed with his goodness. He's showing himself. In these and so many other ways.

[33:04] He shows himself to those who love him. And what's the result of him showing himself. To those who love him. Well we know him better.

[33:17] And we love him better. And we obey him better. Who can put a price tag. On Jesus.

[33:28] Showing himself to us. Three wonderful gracious rewards. There's another. There's a fourth in verse 23. Because he says. If anyone loves me. He will obey my teaching.

[33:38] And my father will love him. And here it is. And we will come to him. And make our home. With him. Wow.

[33:50] Wow. This is the most intimate love. When someone loves like this. We want to be near them.

[34:01] And not just for a visit. We want to dwell with them. We want to be with them at all times. And that's true of Jesus and his father. And so. To the ones who love Jesus.

[34:11] He promised. We will come. And we will make our home. With him. An abiding presence. And fellowship. It was a question.

[34:24] That Solomon. Asked at the dedication. Of the temple. But will God. Really dwell on earth. With men. And here Jesus answers.

[34:34] Yes. We. My father and I. We will come. And make our home. With the one who loves me. This very passage. Tells us. That the Holy Spirit. Also.

[34:45] Comes and makes his home. In the lovers of Jesus. What's it worth. To have the living God. Father. Son. And Holy Spirit. Dwelling in us. To have. The most lovable.

[34:56] And loving. Person. Jesus. Dwelling in our hearts. By his spirit. Rewards. Of pure grace. For those who love Jesus.

[35:07] Oh. Who would not love him. We've seen. The unmistakable. Proof of love for Jesus. It's obedience. To his commands. We've seen. Something of the.

[35:19] Gracious rewards. That are given. To those who love Jesus. In the time remaining. I want to show you. That. It was no different. For Jesus. And his relationship.

[35:30] With his father. That the unmistakable. Proof of Jesus. Love for his father. Was obedience. To his commandments. You see. There was no special.

[35:40] Deal cut. For the son of God. That you and I. Show our love. To Jesus. By obeying his commands. But. But Jesus. You've got a different. Way to show your love.

[35:51] No. It was the same. By obeying. His father's commandments. So. Jesus has been teaching. We're in John 14. He's in the upper room.

[36:02] He's. He's teaching his 12 disciples. These things. There on the night. Of his betrayal. He's preparing them. For his departure. And so we get to the end. Of John chapter 14.

[36:12] The text that was read. For us. In verse 30 and 31. He says. I'll not speak with you. Much longer. For the prince of this world. That would be Satan. Is coming. He has no hold on me.

[36:24] But the world must learn. That I love the father. And that I do exactly. What my father. Has commanded me. Come now. Let us leave.

[36:36] Do you see the same principle. Love. And obedience. The same connection. How was Jesus love for the father. To be shown. And seen by the world.

[36:48] To be proven. To be real love for the father. By his obedience. To his father's commandments. And because Jesus love for his father. Was perfect love. So his obedience.

[36:58] To his father's commandments. Was perfect obedience. Love. Produces. Obedience. And the world must know this.

[37:09] So come on. Let's go. Where's he going? Into dark. Gethsemane. And then the betrayal.

[37:21] And then the mistrial. Then the mocking. The scourging. The beating. The spittle. And then the accursed cross. To obey. His father.

[37:32] To do exactly. What his father had commanded him. Because in that way. The world would learn. How much he loves the father. What's the hardest commandment.

[37:45] For you to obey? What's the hardest commandment. Found in Jesus book. The Bible. For you to obey? I suppose it's different. For each one of us. But there is such a power.

[37:58] In love. To bring you. To willing obedience. To the hardest. Commandments. Of Jesus. But our Lord Jesus.

[38:10] Was given a command. From his heavenly father. That was the hardest commandment. Ever given. When the father. Said to his son.

[38:22] In heaven. You go. And be damned. For our people. You go. And. Be the substitute. Standing in.

[38:33] And receiving. All the wrath. Of deity. Do unto them. That's the command. Go to the cross.

[38:48] So when Christ. Came into the world. He said. Here I am. It's written about me. In the scroll. I've come. To do your will. Oh God. And for 33 years.

[39:02] He did exactly that. He did everything. That the father. The father commanded him. Never once breaking. God's commands. Tempted in every way. Like we are. Yet without sin.

[39:13] And we say. Amazing obedience. And we say. Amazing love. For the father. Who gave him.

[39:23] Such a command. And now. He's just hours away. And there remains. The hardest command. Of all. His death. Death. This death too.

[39:35] Is obedience. And so Jesus says. What? Come on. Let's. Let's leave. Let's go. I've got work to do. That the world might learn. That I love the father.

[39:45] And that I do exactly. What my father. Has commanded me. And on to dark. Gethsemane. They go. And there. In the shadow. Of Calvary. He prays. Father. If it be possible.

[39:56] Let this cup. This. This drinking. Of your. Infinite wrath. For sinners. Let this cup. Pass from me. Nevertheless.

[40:07] Not my will. But yours. Be done. Three times. He prays. With such intensity. That he sweat. As it were. Great drops of blood.

[40:18] Three times. He submits. His human will. To obey the will. And command. Of his heavenly father. And then he says. To his sleeping disciples. The hour has come.

[40:28] Rise. Let's go. Here comes my betrayer. And he goes. Willingly. Out to meet him. Because he does. Exactly. What his father. Has commanded him.

[40:39] To do. And on to lonely. Golgotha. Cruel Calvary. Where he willingly. Lays down his life. On the cross. Suffering the wrath.

[40:50] Of God. The forsakenness. Of hell. For his people. It was damnation. And he took it. Willingly. And it was obedience.

[41:03] It was obedience. And he performed it. Lovingly. Paul says of this act. In Philippians 2.8. He humbled himself.

[41:13] And became obedient. Unto death. Even the death. Of the cross. And so here on Calvary's middle cross. Was obedience. To the hardest command. Ever given.

[41:24] Amazing obedience. Amazing obedience. To the father. Amazing love. For the father. You remember the time. When Jesus was found.

[41:36] Weeping. At the death. Of his friend Lazarus. And the Jews. Who were gathered there. With Mary and Martha. Saw Jesus weeping. And they said. Behold.

[41:46] How he loved him. Well as you and I. See Jesus willingly. Being crushed on the cross.

[41:58] In obedience. To our fathers. To his father's commandment. We should look on Christ. Crucified. And say. Behold. How he. Loves.

[42:09] Him. You see. Love. Was flowing. Two directions. From the middle cross. Of Calvary. Yes. Blessed be God.

[42:19] It was flowing to us. Poor sinners. Who needed a blood atonement. That only the blood of Jesus. Could cover our sins. And Jesus demonstrates. His love for us.

[42:30] In this. In that while we were yet sinners. He died for us. It was a demonstration. Of his love. For us. But if that's all we see.

[42:41] At the cross. We miss the equally important point. The point in fact. Being made. In our text. That says nothing. Right here. Of his love for us. At Calvary. But rather is pointing.

[42:52] To a different love. A vertical love. A love flowing. Upward. The proof. Of Jesus love. For his father. Come on. He says. Let's leave.

[43:02] For the world must learn. That I love. The father. And that I do. Exactly what my father. Has commanded me. Calvary. The hardest commandment.

[43:14] Obeyed. The proof. Of the greatest love. For the father. A love. Greater than Jesus. Love for his own life. Oh we love him.

[43:26] Don't we. For loving us. There on Calvary. But don't we also. Love him. For the way. He loved his father. On Calvary.

[43:38] And did everything. Exactly. As his father. Commanded. Hallelujah. What a savior. Where have we found. Such love. Is this. So why must the world.

[43:52] Know about this love. Why must the world. Know about Jesus. Love for the father. And Jesus. Doing exactly. What the father commands. Because this is the only way.

[44:03] For us poor sinners. To have a righteousness. That will get us into heaven. It's to learn about. This love of Jesus. For his father. And is doing exactly. All that the father.

[44:14] Has commanded. We haven't loved God. We haven't obeyed him. Perfectly. And there's hell. To pay for that. Loving God. With all of our heart. Is the first.

[44:24] And greatest. Commandment. Of all. And so. It's omission. Is our greatest. Sin. Of all. We have withheld. Our love. From the most loving. And lovable. Being in the universe.

[44:36] And instead. We've loved ourselves. Instead of him. We've loved me. And we've broken. His holy commandments. Proving our lack. Of love for him. And so. We deserve.

[44:46] To be damned. Forever. But here is Jesus. God's loving. Son. Lovingly. Obeying. His father's commands. To be damned. Instead of his people.

[44:58] Taking the punishment. Of all these. Who will repent. And believe on him. Yes. The world must know. That I love the father.

[45:09] That I do exactly. What he has commanded me. You see. We. We need more. Than someone. To take our damnation. On the cross. We need somebody. To obey.

[45:20] All the father's commands. For us. Jesus. Death on the cross. May keep you out of hell. But it won't get you. Into heaven. You need a righteousness. On the law books.

[45:31] Of heaven. That say. Perfect. Righteousness. You don't have that. You have sin. On your record. And if Jesus. Takes the punishment. For your sin.

[45:42] That's gone. But what Jesus did. Is far better than that. Because he not only. Was our substitute. On the cross. Taking the punishment. For us. He. For 33 years.

[45:53] Of his life. Was doing exactly. What the father. Commanded. That we might have. A righteousness. His righteousness. Credited. To our account. When we.

[46:04] Trust in Jesus. All his righteousness. Comes to our account. And yes. All of our sins. Were transferred. To his account. And he paid them. In full at Calvary. This.

[46:17] Righteousness. Of Jesus. This gift. Of righteousness. Is God's abundant. Provision of grace. Through the one man. Jesus Christ. For justice. Through the disobedience.

[46:27] Of the one man. Adam. The many were made sinners. So also. Through the obedience. Of the one man. The many. Will be made righteous. Made righteous.

[46:39] Not having a righteousness. Of my own. Which comes from. My keeping. Of the law. But rather. That which is through. Faith in Christ. The righteousness. Which comes from God. And is by faith.

[46:50] You've seen your lack. Of righteousness. To stand before God. You haven't loved him. You haven't obeyed him. That will damn you.

[47:00] In the day of judgment. But you've also seen. This morning. The perfect righteousness. Of Jesus. Who did exactly. What his father commanded. And that will save you.

[47:11] That will take you. To heaven. For his obedience. Was unto death. And one. A perfect righteousness. For all who trust. Life and death. Are set before you.

[47:22] Choose life. Do you know. Jesus wants you. To choose life. Jesus says. The world must know. About this. Do you sense. His heart in that. This is not. A secret thing.

[47:33] We're going to hide. From the world. Only reveal. To a few. No. The world must learn. That I love the father. And I do exactly. What he commands. Because that's their only way. Of salvation.

[47:43] That's their only hope. He sets it before you. Come to Jesus. Embrace him by faith. Trust in his perfect obedience. And death.

[47:54] And he will save you. And you will love him. And you will obey him. And he and his father. Will love you. And will live in you. And he will show you. More of himself. Which will make you love him more. And obey him more.

[48:06] In a cycle of love. That will continue. Until you see him. Face to face. And seeing him. You will be made like him. And you will begin. From that moment on.

[48:17] To love him with unsinning heart. With all of your heart. All of your soul. All of your mind. And all of your strength. And then you will be able.

[48:29] To process in a way. You never could here and now. Just how great. Is the love of the father. And the son. And the holy spirit for you. J.C. Ryle.

[48:43] Said that. One of the things. That will surprise us most. When we see Jesus. Is that we loved him. No more than we did. Take your song book.

[48:54] And turn to 542. Let's sing of this most lovable. And loving person in the universe. 542. Jesus the very thought of thee.

[49:06] Stand with me as we sing. Of our savior. 542. 542. Thank you father.

[49:27] For sending your son. For the love of this poor world. You sent your son. That whoever would believe in him. Would not perish. But have everlasting life. Thank you Jesus.

[49:40] For willingly obeying your father. Coming to die. And be damned for your people. Thank you for showing us. Something of that love afresh.

[49:51] This morning. Make it to burn like a fire. In our hearts. That every single one of your commands. Indeed the ones that I find the hardest.

[50:02] Would meet in my heart. A willing obedience. Because of you. The one I love. So deepen that love in our hearts.

[50:13] Make us to treasure your love. To know more and more of it. And that response of offering ourselves up. As your servants. To obey you.

[50:24]  Bring others to taste. And to see just how good and loving you are. And we'll praise you in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.