O How I Love Jesus

Tell Congregation, “Be prepared to share some of their reasons for loving Jesus.”

"We love because he first loved us," as our dearly beloved brother John says [1 John 4:19]

(John 1:1-3 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

(1 Cor 10:1-4 NIV) For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. {2} They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. {3} They all ate the same spiritual food {4} and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

(1 Tim 2:5-6 RSV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, {6} who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.

(Acts 4:12 NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

(John 17:5-6 NIV) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. {6} "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.

(John 15:13-14 NIV) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command. (IF!)

(Mat 5:44-47 NIV) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, {45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. {46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? {47} And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Love, what is it? Verb

Unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the well-being of someone or something.

The King James Version uses the word charity instead of "love" to translate the Greek word Paul used (agape). The word charity comes from the Latin caritas which means "dearness," "affection," or "high regard."

Requires action much as “Faith” does.

Friend? Noun

The one that “Loves” or is “Loved.”

Implications

Love neighbor

Love self

Love your enemy

Love righteousness

Love truth

Love God

How Jesus loved me/us

1. Created a perfect world for me.

2. Established plan “B” in case I failed.

3. Gave me instructions on how to live.

4. Gave me nearly endless opportunities to accept Him and His plans for me.

5. Gave up the former glory He had with the Father.

6. Risked failure. Was there a plan “C”?

7. Suffered mental and physical abuse.

8. Taught by example as well as by words.

9. Continues to comfort me whenever I call upon Him. The comforter.

10. Has always been faithful and true regardless of my actions or condition.

His relationship to me

1. My Creator

2. My Teacher

3. My Confidant

4. My Lord

5. My King

6. My Brother

7. My Example

8. My Friend

9. My Refuge

10. My Savior

11. My Knight in shining armor

How Do I Love Thee? (Let me count the ways) Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being an ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

How do I love Him? Let me count the ways.

I love Him for the many times He has been beside me waiting to help if only I would ask. And, for the times He helped when I didn’t have the good sense to ask.

I love Him for His understanding and forgiveness. Over and over and over again.

I love Him for always knowing what I need and giving it to me. And for never taking an, “I told you so” stand.

I love Him because He has done so many things for me that I couldn’t do for myself. And, I love Him for not doing it all when He so easily could. And so much better too!

I love Him because he never said, “Do as I say, not as I do,” And because He had no need to say that because He always did as he said.

Yes, and that very faithfulness to truth and honesty and integrity, and to love and mercy and understanding, yes and also his faithfulness to His Father and God, as well as his promises which He always keeps, to me and you and to everyone, that faithfulness captures my imagination and makes me want to be like Him. And makes me believe that for Him and by Him and with Him I too can be good!

I love Him because I know that if I will only follow Him, and Him only, I will be with Him whom I love forever. And, that’s exactly what He wants. What a glorious day that will be.

I love Him because He laid down His life for me. And I must admit I really didn’t deserve such compassion. What I deserved is exactly what I would have got (everlasting death) except for His wonderful grace.

I love Him, O how I love Him. Gross stupidity and insolence and arrogance and even hostility have I shown Him throughout portions of my life. Consistent inconsistency have I demonstrated in my following Him. I’ve wanted to be perfect on the one hand, and have started down that path with fervor only to be delayed and sidetracked much too often. And still, he consistently loves me. Oh my Lord! Thank you!

Call on the Congregation to share some of their reasons for loving Jesus.

Appeal to Congregation

You may have noticed that although the sermon title is, “Oh HOW I love Jesus” that I have never actually talked about “How” I love Jesus. That’s because it isn’t important to talk about “How” I love him or “How” you love him. Remember how I asserted at the beginning of this sermon, “Love requires action much as “Faith” does.” If that’s true, then here is what is really important, ask yourself, “What can I do for Jesus?” and then do it! Start today. Don’t delay. Just do it. ----- Please join me in prayer.