Red Letter Series – The Distinguishing Mark of a Christian
- We have been talking about God's Glory, He alone deserves all the Glory, since He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent.
- As we accept Jesus into our hearts, following Him and we enter into glory which a non-believer can not experience.
- Today's message is a bridge between 2022 and 2023, where we hope that we will be challenged individually and collectively as a church.
- Reading from Phil 2: 4 we should care about our relational culture with others. We want to take the bridge to the root of love, Jesus Christ Himself. He laid down His life for us. Jesus shows us how to live out this love, giving us a new commandment of loving one another as He loved us.
- What is new about the commandment of loving one another? We change when our minds are focused on Jesus.
- When Moses came close to the Lord his face would shine, and he would cover his face. Now this veil has been removed through the work of Jesus.
- As a believer of Jesus, we are under the authority of Jesus. When we try do things in our own way we mess up. Jesus picks us up, and tells us to do things His way next time. Your Life is defined by Jesus, when you follow Him.
- This is a new commandment not a new suggestion, or a new way of life.
- The key to this commandment is "as I have loved you". There is power in this commandment to love others.
- We need to live this love outwards, even to people who are unlovable.
- This commandment is not new it was in Lev 19: 18. But what's new, is His pattern of doing this. Jesus showed this love all the way to the end, even on the cross. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, taking on the role of the slave - humility. He gave us a pattern of love which is clear to us, so we should love each other in this way. This is the first pattern.
- The second pattern is involved in doing practical deeds of helping others. We should watch what Jesus does, which gives us power, living on His love.
- On our own we would not be able to love everybody, but through Him we are able. Abiding in Him we get His ability to love.
- How can we trust Him? Jesus solved the problem. Whoever believes in Him we solve this.
- If we sinned He is faithful and just to forgive us.