The Love of God (John 15:12-17)

Michael originally taught ‘The Love of God’ (John 15:12-17) at Immanuel Bible Church.

• Our culture has shifted from self-hatred to self-worship.
• The greatest love is not self-love but sacrificial love.
• Jesus commands us to love one another as He loved us.
• Friendship with Christ is based on obedience and love.
• Election is a doctrine that humbles us and emphasizes grace.
• Grace is God’s kindness despite our undeserved state.
• True love is demonstrated through sacrifice, not feelings.
• Obedience to Christ is a sign of true friendship.
• The ultimate demonstration of love is found in Christ’s sacrifice.
• Understanding our depravity helps us appreciate God’s grace.

Excerpt From The Sermon

“Agape love has nothing to do with feelings. In fact, it’s almost antithetical to feelings. If you’re going to love in agape love, it means you’re going to love without feeling and emotion the way we think about it. It means you’re going to make a choice and a determination to love even when, and I would say especially when, you don’t feel love. Interestingly, Paul says, ‘Love your wives as Christ loved the church.’ And He felt so in love with her, He couldn’t wait to die. No, He willingly obeyed His Father. He wrestled with Him the night before, didn’t He? The love of Christ is a sacrificial love, an ultimate sacrifice. It’s a very foreign concept to the American mindset of what love is and what love isn’t.”

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