November 11th, 2018
Devotional
“Marks of Methodism: Pray Continually” -
John 15: 1-17 and 1 Timothy 2:1
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “This is My Commandment” - John 15: 1-12
There’s a lot written in scripture about commandments. There are over six-hundred laws in the Old Testament. We have the Ten Commandments that speak about how are are to honor God and one another. When Jesus is asked about what the greatest commandment is he actually gives a two part answer - love God with all you are and all you have and love your neighbor as yourself.
Today Jesus again talks about commandments, saying that this is his commandment that we love one another as Jesus has loved us. It’s not often that Jesus talks specifically about his commandment, usually he refers to the commandments of God. But Christ is teaching his disciples about what is important, especially those truths that will be important after he leaves their presence and love is at the top of the list.
I think sometimes we like to see ourselves as a loving people, but that may not be how other people see us. In other words we may think that we are a loving church, but can those outside of our community of faith see our love in action? Can they say that we love like Christ?
What does loving like Christ loved look like to you?
Prayer: God, at times it is hard for us to wrap our minds around the love of Jesus Christ. We like to talk about his love, and we know it in our heads, but sometimes its hard for us to wrap our hearts around and even harder for us to show to others. Help us to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world, sharing his love with all we meet. Amen.
Tuesday: “You are my Friends ” - John 15: 13-14
It is not unusual to find the words of John 15:13 written on military grave sites, especially those who died in action, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” But these words of Jesus can also be a stumbling block as we come up with a very short list of those who we would actually give up our lives for.
We have to remember that Jesus is using these words to teach his disciples. At this point he knows that he is going to die, but they don’t understand. Later on, they will claim that they will stick by Jesus’s side only to (mostly) flee. But Jesus also knew that some of them would lay down their very lives for the Gospel Message. Peter would be martyred. Andrew, Thomas, Philip, Matthew, Bartholomew, James, Simon, Matthias, and John were also killed by various means for the Gospel Message.
We may not be able to say right here and now what we would be willing to give our lives for. The disciples certainly would have said that they would give their lives for Jesus, but their actions at the cross didn’t show it. However, later on they were able to live into their faith in this way.
Who are you willing to die for? Why?
What do you think changed for the disciples from the time of the cross to giving their lives for the Gospel?
Prayer: Lord, we aren’t so sure that we would be willing to die for others. In fact, we aren’t so sure we would be willing to die for you at times. Show us, O Lord, what sacrifice looks like in our daily lives and strengthen us to boldly live into our faith for you. Amen.
Wednesday: “ Not Servants” - John 15: 15
In Greco-Roman society the word friend was used a lot, but it didn’t hold the same meaning as it does today. Remember in the trial of Jesus where the crowds cry out about being a friend of Caesar? They weren’t saying that they were literal friends of Caesar; in fact, he probably didn’t even know their names. Friendship was seen as a relationship where one party gave to another party - more like servanthood then that of reciprocity.
Yet, Jesus turned that understanding of friendship around with this passage of scripture. He was essentially saying that he did not consider them servants, or the type of servants that the world would use the word ‘friend’ for. Instead, they were true friends. Friends who know what Jesus is doing and why he is doing it. Friends who have a choice as to whether they want to work for the Kingdom of God and be affiliated with his Messiahship.
We, too, have choices. We have the choice if we accept the love of Christ in our lives. We have a choice about how we show that love we have for Jesus in the world. We have a choice another whether we are really about the work of the Kingdom of God or the work of the world. Jesus does not force us into relationship with him, but rather issues and invitation, and waits for our response.
How did you come to know the love of the Savior?
Prayer: Lord, sometimes we think that we are forced to be in a relationship with you. We begrudge what you ask of us. We act as if our faith is more of a burden then a blessing. Forgive us, Lord. Help us understand the choice that you have given us and help us to share the story of that loving invitation with others. Amen.
Thursday: “I Chose You” - John 15: 16
Sometimes we get so caught up in the choices that Christ gives us, specifically the choice to say ‘yes’ to faith in him, that we forget that he chose us first. We did not seek out Christ, brothers and sisters. Christ sought us out. Christ died for us. And Christ did all of that while we are still sinners.
We cannot make other people choose the love of Jesus in their lives. We cannot make people say ‘yes’ to Christ, as much as we may want to. But we can control how we share that love with the world. We can make the choice to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God and make the story of how God changed our lives known.
What does bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God look like in your life?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you choose us, even when we were far from you. We thank you that you invite us to be part of your Kingdom sized mission of grace and mercy. We thank you that you equip us to bear fruit in your name. Use us in a mighty way, we pray. Amen.
Friday: “Love One Another” - John 15:17
Have you ever noticed that its easier to love people that you like more than those you don’t care for? And that even sometimes loving people that we like is hard. But Jesus is telling us that once we consider ourselves friends of Christ, once we join in to be part of the mission of God, loving other people is not optional. We don’t get to pick and choose who we like enough to share the love of Christ with, because God loves the whole world. God send Christ so the whole world would have the choice to accept the gift of salvation or not. It is not up to us to decide who is worthy of hearing that message that we share in Christ’s name. May we love one another. Not just those who we like. Not just those who are already part of our churches. Not just those we know. But all people for the sake of the mission of Jesus.
What does love mean to you? How do you share this love with other people?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for inviting us to be part of something that is bigger then ourselves and who we like or don’t like. Thank you for entrusting us to share your love with all whom we meet. Equip us for the task ahead. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Marks of Methodism: Gives Thanks” - 2nd Cor 9:15
Family Activity: Think of ways that you pray. When do you pray as a family? How do you connect best with God?
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