John 14:15-21

John 14:15-21

An “Easter Church” Makes A Difference

April 30, 2008

Easter 6

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!

As Christians, we confess that Christ has risen.

We believe that He has risen and lives in our hearts — but we also believe that we has truly and physically risen. We believe that the tomb of Christ is empty. We believe that the power of death has been broken – broken for Jesus and broken for us. We can’t begin to understand the divine power that rose Jesus from the dead. The more we try to understand it, the more astounded by it we become.

But — here is a truth that is even more astounding:

The same power that shattered the prison of death sets us free from all that binds us.

The very Spirit of God that rose Jesus from the dead can live in us to empowers us for the ministry God calls us to be doing in the world.

You see — resurrection power is for us, in us, and at work through us.

We can live as “Easter Christians” – we can be an “Easter Church”.

This means that we not only live in gratitude for our salvation and hope for the future, but we can also live lives that are filled with the power of God for His work in the world. We can be filled with His power and let His power touch every aspect of our lives.

We can be filled with His power – and let His power touch every aspect of our Church.

Christ has risen – and we can be “Easter Christians” – we can be an “Easter Church” – filled with the power of the risen Christ and doing the work of the risen Christ.

During this season of Easter we are looking at different aspects of what it means to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

We began 4 weeks ago by looking at John 20:19-31 – the story of Jesus and Thomas – and saw that an “Easter Church” believes.

3 weeks ago we added another aspect of what it means to be an “Ester Church” as we looked at Luke 24:13-35 – the story of Jesus – Cleopas – and another follower on the road to Emmaus – and saw that an “Easter Church” is on fire.

2 weeks ago we added a third aspect of what it means to be an “Easter Church” as we looked at John 10:1-10 – and saw that an “Easter Church” follows the leader.

Last week we looked at a fourth aspect of what it means to be an “Easter Church” as we looked at John 14:1-14 – and saw that an “Easter Church” takes comfort in Christ.

Today we will add yet another aspect to what it means to be an “Easter Church” as we look at John 14:15-21 – and see that an “Easter Church” makes a difference.

Listen to God’s word in John 14:15-21.

Read scripture

I ran across a story this week about a seven-year-old granddaughter who said to her grandfather, “In this family we are kind of serious about God, aren’t we?”

He answered: “Yes, we sure are.”

And the little girl asked, “Why?”

The Grandfather wrapped the little girl in his arms, hugged her real close and said, “So that I can hug you and tickle you and try to tell you how much I love you and how glad I am that God gave you to us.”

The little girl grinned and said, “That’s cool.”

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

Now — I’m not sure that hugging and tickling everybody we meet would go over very well. They might actually come and put us in one of those jackets with the buckles and really long sleeves and lock us in a rubber room But — we are supposed to figure out how to show that love to everyone we meet. The love we have experienced through Christ is supposed to be shared. We’re supposed to make a difference in the world by sharing the love of Christ with the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

I think it’s interesting that – in our passage for today – Jesus begins by saying:

“If you love me.”

We forget sometimes that it’s not enough to just say, “I love Jesus.” Or “Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life.” The important part is living that love. The important part is the manifestation of the love of Jesus in all that we do and say.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command” Jesus says.

Or – Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.”

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

What difference does it make – for us – and for those around us – that Christ has risen from the dead – and we are called to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world?

What difference does it make?

What difference does it make in your life?

What difference does it make in the life of those you come in contact.

What difference does it make in your family?

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

What Commandments was He talking about?

I think He was talking about the two most important commandments: “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

Later on in John 15:17 Jesus says:

“This I command you, to love one another.”

Pretty simple, pretty straight forward isn’t it.

Then why is it so easy to say, and so hard to do and live?

I believe it’s hard for us because it calls on us to make a difference.

It calls on us to make a difference to God.

It calls on us to make a difference to Jesus.

It calls on us to make a difference to ourselves.

It calls on us to make a difference to others.

It calls on us to make a difference.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

First — “Easter Church” makes a difference to God.

Many people may not agree with this. Some may have a sort of “gentle heavenly watchmaker” philosophy of God — believing that He’s the ultimate judge who will sort the good from the evil at the end times — but doesn’t get involved much in our daily lives. But that’s not the Biblical witness. Look at the experience of Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus. Look at Saul, who was persecuting the church and became Paul, the chief Evangelist of the early church. God got involved in their lives in a big way – and still wants to get involved in our lives – in a big way.

A religious cynic once said:

“God made humanity on the last day of creation. When God realized what He’d done, He took off and went into hiding. The search to find God is what we call ‘religion.’”

That’s the wrong answer!

That’s not the Biblical witness either.

When God created humanity, God said it was “Very good.” God didn’t take off and go into hiding. On the contrary, from the very beginning God made Himself totally accessible. to people. More importantly, God wants a personal relationship with you – now.

God created you.

You are one of God’s creative masterpieces.

And an artist doesn’t just walk away from his or her masterpiece.

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference to God.

Secondly – an “Easter Church” makes a difference to Jesus.

While God says we will be God’s treasured possession, Jesus takes us into an even deeper relationship. In Matthew 20:50 Jesus said:

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

And at the very end, Jesus even took that relationship deeper – calling His disciples His friends.

Again, in our passage for today Jesus said:

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

So, you see, how we live out these commandments of loving God with all we are and loving our neighbors as our selves is the proof of our love for Christ. It’s not simply saying we love Him. It’s doing what He told he told us to do. That’s the measuring rod of our faithfulness.

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference to God.

Secondly – an “Easter Church” makes a difference to Jesus.

Thirdly – and “Easter Church” makes a difference to us.

There was a nature show on television about a black bear that gave birth to two cubs. One cub died right away. Three weeks later the mother died and the remaining cub was left to fend for itself. An orphaned cub in that condition is like a walking buffet for predators. And of course the camera immediately showed a hungry-looking mountain lion. One day the orphan cub encountered a giant male black bear. The little cub cowered at the bear’s sheer mass. The larger bear peered around and seemed to realize that the mother bear wasn’t anywhere to be found. He gave the little cub a friendly nudge. The camera then showed the little bear happily trailing along after the larger one. The adoption papers were signed, sealed and registered at the county seat in that nudge. Papa bear proceeded to show the cub how to grub for insects and how to catch fish and how to scratch his back against a tree. One day the two bears became separated. The cub began to cry and looked frantically for his new father, but couldn’t find him anywhere. The cub approached a stream where he’d learned to fish and something caught his attention. He looked up to see a mountain lion ready to pounce. That same mountain lion had stalked the cub for the entire show. There was no way that mountain lion would’ve gone for that cub with Papa bear around, but now….

The camera zoomed in on the cub. He automatically mimicked the posture of his adopted father when threatened. He stood on his hind legs and bared his teeth. Then, in the exactly the same way his new father would have done, this cub let loose a mighty growl that should have reverberated throughout the forest. But, only a tiny bear cub squeak came out. The mountain lion lowered his head and ran off in the opposite direction. The camera panned back to the proud little cub still standing tall on his hind legs. And then all the viewers saw what that little cub could not: a few yards behind him, at full, ferocious height, his sharp, white teeth bared in a snarl, stood Daddy bear. He may not have made a sound, but he was there. Even though the cub couldn’t see his father, his father stood guard, protecting his young. The little cub had power available greater than anything he could produce on his own. There was a greater power watching over him.

Jesus said in verse 21 of our passage:

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Being an “Easter Church” makes a difference

Being an “Easter Church” makes a difference.

Being an “Easter Church” makes a difference to God.

Being an “Easter Church” makes a difference to Jesus.

Being an “Easter Church” makes a difference to us.

We may not see or hear the presence of God all the time. But the power and presence of God is always available for us. No matter how frightened or alone we feel, no matter how much we feel abandoned or how weak or powerless we believe we are, that doesn’t mean the Spirit isn’t here. That doesn’t mean we are not loved. We may feel separated from God, but God doesn’t go anywhere. God is always with us, even when all we can see ahead of us is that hungry mountain lion. God protects and provides for us. We are God’s treasured possession. We are God’s children, brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus. We’re friends of Jesus. Jesus promised He will never leave us orphaned. He promised to be with us always through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

But again, there’s that obedience clause, that faithfulness factor.

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me”

What good is claiming to be a Christian if you are not going to live like one? What good is claiming to love Jesus if you are not going to show His love to others – or actively do what He calls You to do?

It doesn’t matter what we say – what matters is what we do.

What matters is whether or not we are being the Christians God wants us to be – loving God with all we have – and obeying Jesus’ command to follow Him and show His love to others.

What matters is whether we are obeying Jesus’ commands – living in His ways. These are the things that make a difference – to God – to Jesus – and to us.

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference to God.

Secondly – an “Easter Church” makes a difference to Jesus.

Thirdly – an “Easter Church” makes a difference to us.

Fourthly – an “Eater Church” makes a difference to others.

We were never meant to be alone. In the beginning of Genesis, God noticed that Adam wasn’t doing well. God said:

“It isn’t good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper as his partner.”

God created us to be in relationship with each other. We don’t do well as loners.

A set of twin girls were born 12 weeks premature, each about two pounds. They were placed in separate bassinets. One started to do just fine – but the other one began slowly to fade. Her heart beat was rapid — she was visibly anxious — and nothing the nurses could do seemed to be able to stop what seemed like her inevitable death.  Then one of the nurses remembered something she’d read about treatment of preemies elsewhere in the world. As a sort of last resort the nurses put the weaker twin into the bassinet with her sister. The results were immediate and dramatic. The smaller twin snuggled up to her sister, and her heart rate immediately slowed to normal. Her color came back. The baby visibly relaxed, almost with a sigh of relief. She accepted nourishment. The crisis was over. She would survive. That tiny baby did not know who she was, or where she was. But somehow she knew where she belonged. And she knew when she was where she belonged.

Our souls are like that.

Deeper than words, back behind all conscious thought, our souls know what they need.

Sometimes all a person needs is to know that they are not alone – that someone – maybe you – are there to walk with them through whatever it is they are facing. Walking as a companion, not a judge, not a guide, not as someone with all the answers. But simply as a loving and caring companion. As their friend and – and a friend of Jesus who lets them know they are not alone.

I think that’s what Jesus meant when he said:

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

Loving Jesus.

Obeying His command.

Making a difference.

Making a difference to God.

Making a difference to Jesus.

Making a difference to each other.

Making a difference to others.

The resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

It makes a difference to God.

It makes a difference to Jesus.

It makes a difference to us.

It makes a difference to others.

This means that we do things that make a difference to God – loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

This means that we worship God – that attend and participate in worship – that we come and participate in Bible Study – that we come and participate in fellowship times – that we come and participate in the times we reach out to others with the love of God.

Really – what it boils down to – is that you commit yourself to making a difference.

What it boils down to is that you commit yourself to being an “Easter Christian” who makes a difference.

What it boils down to is that you commit yourself to:

Making a difference to God.

Making a difference to Jesus.

Making a difference to us.

Making a difference to others.

This means that you do things that make a difference to God – loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

This means that you worship God – that you attend and participate in worship – that you come and participate in Bible Study – that you come and participate in fellowship times – that you come and participate in the times we reach out to others with the love of God.

If each of us will commit ourselves to making a difference to God – Jesus – us – and others – we will become the “Easter Christians” – and the “Easter Church” God wills for us to be.

Yes – friends – the resurrection of Christ empowers us to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

One of the things that means is that we are to be making a difference in the world.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference.

It makes a difference to God.

It makes a difference to Jesus.

It makes a difference to us.

It makes a difference to others.

An “Easter Church” makes a difference. Amen.