Lovest Thou Me?

 

 

 

“Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

John 21:15

 

Preparatory Reading: Luke 7; Luke 15.

Introduction:

  1. The forgiveness and mercy we have from God through Christ should provoke great love from us.
  2. How much do you love the Lord Jesus Christ for saving you? “Lovest thou me more than these?”
  3. Why are our hearts as cold and our lives as barren as they are when we consider great love of Christ?
  4. No one else will ever die for us! No one else is perfectly faithful! No one else does for us like Him!
  5. This is much more than words. We must examine ourselves today to measure our true love of Christ.
  6. Knowledge proves nothing. Knowing the facts of Christ or the doctrine of Christ is not love of Christ.
  7. Public performance is nothing. It may rather bring greater judgment for greater hypocrisy of love.
  8. Humility proves something. It is a broken spirit trusting only Christ and despising none for their sins.
  9. Before the holy God of heaven, we are all on a level playing field, with each of us needing a Saviour.
  10. We must hate pride or self-righteousness that causes coldness to Christ and haughtiness about others.
  11. We must never despise sinners, and we must learn to love them more and more, as Christ does us.
  12. Is it we do not understand, remember, or consider our sinfulness in desires, principles, practice, etc.?
  13. Is it we do not understand, remember, or consider the wages of sin – legal, vital, practical, and final?
  14. Must the Lord allow us to sin in order to teach us our sinfulness or properly appreciate our Saviour?

Jesus Let Satan Have Peter

  1. Peter spoke far too highly of himself and his loyalty to Christ versus others (Matt 26:31-35).
  2. Therefore, Jesus allowed Satan to have and sift him in order to perfect him (Luke 22:31-34).
  3. If we humbly acknowledge our weakness and reject our pride, we may be saved such sifting.
  4. He later confronted him gently about it, and he was better for the experience (Jn 21:15-19).
  5. What did Jesus ask Peter to do to prove his love of Christ? Feed Christ’s lambs and sheep.
  6. If you love Jesus, then you will love and serve those who belong to Him (I John 4:20; 5:1).

A Sinful Woman Proves the Point

  1. Luke recorded the event of Jesus eating at the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-51).
  2. Where do you fall on the scale between self-righteous Simon and the loving, thankful sinner?
  3. They both owed the God of heaven; they both had nothing to pay; they were equal sinners.
  4. What made the difference? Simon thought too highly of himself, but the woman just right.
  5. Is it easy for you to be content or occupied with the dinner, and miss the illustrious guest?
  6. Is it easy for you to observe the faults of others, while missing most of your own stench?
  7. Is it easy for you to be ruled by formality to never come close to emulating the woman?
  8. Is it easy for you to begrudge forgiveness of others, though needing much or more yourself?

The Prodigal’s Older Brother

  1. The purpose for the three parables of Luke 15 was to condemn Pharisee self-righteousness.
  2. The Pharisees saw Jesus dealing with sinners and publicans and despised Him for it (15:1-2).
  3. There are not 99 just persons that need no repentance – this is how Jesus rebuked Pharisees.
  4. The prodigal did not appreciate his kind father, and he resented kindness to a sinning brother.
  5. Our love of Christ must be measured by our forgiveness and love of sinners (Jer 9:23-24).

Prayer Can Condemn You

  1. Jesus described two men praying to condemn self-righteous despising of others (Lu 18:9-14).
  2. Self-righteousness is an evil sin by denying need for mercy and causing unjust comparisons.
  3. Self-righteousness is an evil sin by blinding and deceiving a man about a right view of self.
  4. We must pray, walk with God, and live each day in need of mercy and accepting sinners.
  5. Comparing yourself to others or commending yourself is not wise, but foolish (II Cor 10:12).

A Young Man Deceived Himself

  1. Jesus met a young man very deceived about his righteousness before God (Matt 19:16-22).
  2. This young man was very rich, for the Bible tells us he had great possessions and why he left.
  3. This young man was content in serving God, as long as he could have his riches as well.
  4. He thought very highly of himself, for he had excused his conduct and justified his greed.

God Left Hezekiah to Teach Him

  1. Hezekiah was proud, so God humbled him by leaving (II Chr 32:24-26,31; II Kgs 20:1-19).
  2. We do not want God to leave us, so admit sinfulness, give thanks for Jesus, and love others.
  3. God let David sin by turning him over to the devil, but forgave him (II Sam 24:1; I Chr 21:1).
  4. God moved Peter to sin by turning him over to the devil, but prayed for him (Luke 22:31-34).

God Gave the Law to Humble Us

  1. God gave the Law to Israel to show them and us the exceeding sinfulness of sin (Ro 7:7-13).
  2. God gave the Law as a schoolmaster to show us Christ by proving us sinners (Gal 3:21-25).

Paul Loved Christ Much

  1. Paul knew he was a great sinner, and he gave all credit to Christ his Saviour (I Tim 1:12-16).
    1. He was able and willing to list his crimes, and he compared himself poorly to others.
    2. He knew his salvation was by pure grace and mercy, and he knew he was a pattern for us.
  2. Jesus’ loving forgiveness of Paul was very logical to him for great service (II Cor 5:14-15).
  3. Until you see your sinfulness, you will not love Jesus Christ as you should (Rom 7:24-25).

The Spiritual Must Take Heed

  1. It is easy for us to think we are faithful and strong, but get ready for a great fall (I Cor 10:12).
  2. Even spiritual members in the church of Galatia had to keep a spirit of meekness (Gal 6:1-4).

How We Increase Love

  1. As Paul, we must consider we were dead and doomed to die before Christ (II Cor 5:14-15).
  2. Therefore, we must examine ourselves and condemn ourselves in light of his holy standard.
  3. We must feast on the scriptures of God’s glorious grace through Jesus Christ (John 5:39-40).
  4. We must feast on the scriptures of Jesus Christ’s beauty and glory to delight in Him more.
  5. We must beg for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to show us His love (Eph 3:14-19).
  6. We must learn to walk humbly before God (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2).

How We Prove Love

  1. Love is not proved by words or tears.
  2. Love is proved by keeping His commandments (John 14:15).
  3. Love is proved by loving and serving His brethren (I John 4:20; 5:1).
  4. Love is proved by a broken spirit adoring Him (Luke 7:44-47).
  5. Love is proved by a hopelessness without Him (Rom 7:24-25).
  6. Love is proved by praising and thanking Him greatly (Col 3:17; I Cor 15:57).

Conclusion:

  1. How much do you love Jesus Christ for saving you? “Lovest thou me more than these?”
  2. How much do you despise sinners? You are a sinner exactly like those sinners you foolishly despise.
  3. We must reject any and every good thing we trust about ourselves to fall humbly before Jesus Christ.
  4. We must learn to think less of ourselves, more of others, and rejoice when Christ forgives them also.
  5. LOVEST THOU ME?

For Further Study:

  1. Sermon Outline: The Prodigal Son.
  2. Sermon Outline: Self-Righteousness.