2. Living Together (or Why Community Matters)
Finding a Life Worth Living
Living Together (or Why Community Matters)
John 13:31-35
page 994
March 29, 2009

3. Living Together Finding A Life Worth Living – about discipleship
Community is part of discipleship
This morning:
Looking at the text: John 13
Context: footwashing & glorification
Love “as I have loved you”
Sacrificial, humble
“Love one another”
One Another House

4. John 13 Jesus’ Farewell Discourse Setting: the last supper
Tells of own impending death
Leaves instructions for disciples
Setting: the last supper
Jesus’ words transcend both time and place
His instructions are for all believers in all time periods
Jesus washed disciples feet (13:1-17)
Ultimate sign of servanthood and humility
Judas departs
Signals the beginning of Jesus’ betrayal

5. John 13:31-32 “Glorified” “Glorified” – a full display of glory
Father and Son are one
Therefore when one is glorified, so is the other.
“Glorified” – a full display of glory
Refers to Jesus’ impending suffering and death
This shows us the extent of God’s love
Therefore, the full glory of God is his sacrificial love shown in Jesus’ death on the cross.

6. John 13:33
13:33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer… Where I am going, you cannot come.”
Jesus is predicting his impending death
“My children”
Rabbis/teachers commonly called their students “children”
Term of endearment, not patronising

7. John 13:34 – A New Command
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Command to love – not new
Way to love – new!
Jesus tells us WHY and HOW to love one another
Why? Because Jesus first loved us!
We can’t help but live out of the fullness of His love in us.
How? Love the way Jesus loves!
Humble, sacrificial, obedient to God’s will
Shown in Jesus washing disciples’ feet.
Examples…

8. The community of believers must be a refuge.
Love One Another
Command in John 13:34 refers to community of believers, fellow Christians only
Not exclusivist, God’s love for ALL people is clear throughout the Bible
Rather, Jesus knew there would be conflict between believers and the world, thus…
The community of believers must be a refuge.
Some examples

9. The community of believers is attractive!
Love One Another
13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
The community of believers is attractive!
True humble, sacrificial love is remarkable
Burge: “Nothing so astonishes a fractured world as a community in which radical, faithful, genuine love is shared among its members…”

10. One Another House

11. Be kind (Eph 4:32) Do good (Heb 13:16)
Love One Another
(John 13:34-35 / 1 Pet 4:8 / 1 Joh 4:7-12)
In him you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph 2:22)
Pray (Jas 5:16)
Confess your sins (Jas 5:16)
Speak/sing psalms (Eph 5:19)
Teach (Col 3:16) Admonish (Col 3:16)
Encourage (1 Thess 4:18)
Build up (1 Thess 5:11)
Instruct (Rom 15:14)
‘Words’ Room
Greet with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16)
Carry burden (Gal 6:2)
Offer hospitality (1 Pet 4:9)
Serve (Gal 5:13) Have equal concern (1 Cor 12:25)
Wash feet (John 13:14)
Build up (1 Thess 5:11)
Eat (1 Cor 11:33)
Share (Heb 13:16)
‘Deeds’ Room
Submit (Eph 5:21)
Spur on (Heb 10:24)
Be of the same mind (Phil 2:2) Value above yourself (Phil 2:3)
Forbear (Eph 4:2)
Accept (Rom 15:7)
Forgive (Col 3:13)
Live in peace (1 Thess 5:13)
Clothe yourself in humility (1 Pet 5:5)
‘Attitudes’ Room
Do not slander (Jas 4:11)
Do not grumble (Jas 5:9)
Do not hate (Titus 3:3)
Do not lie (Col 3:9)
Do not judge (Rom 14:13)
Do not provoke (Gal 5:26)
Do not destroy (Gal 5:15)
‘Avoid’ Room
Be kind (Eph 4:32) Do good (Heb 13:16)
As I have loved you

12. Love One Another Two concluding stories
“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”