Switch: What’s Next?Sample

He Wasn’t Faking It 

It’s hard to stay close to someone if they constantly disregard what you say, right? Like how could they claim to care about you if they never listen to you? Jesus makes the same point when He says: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11 NIV

Jesus encourages us to stay closely connected to Him and He tells us how: by keeping His commands. Sounds kind of authoritarian, right? It might to us in our context today. Like wow, You just want to boss me around. But that’s not actually what Jesus was communicating at all. 

See, in a Jewish mindset, the commands of God were not a burden, they were a lifeline. They weren’t these lofty expectations from a cruel taskmaster. They were an invitation to be special, set apart, and stable as compared to the rest of culture. The commands of God invite us into closer relationship with Him, not slavery to Him. They invite us to partner with Him in what He is already doing instead of running through life confused and struggling. 

And yesterday, we talked about Jesus’ primary command to us: That we love one another. In the same way that He loved us, we are called to love each other. Jesus loved us with service and sacrifice. He actively sought our good with every word He spoke and action He took. 

How can we serve and seek the good of others? Start by teaming up with your local church. There, leaders and pastors can help you find what you’re passionate about and show you how to tap into your talents.

But here’s the thing: motives matter, so check your heart. Do we really want to love like Jesus? Or do we just want to make ourselves look good? Paul, one of Jesus’ earliest followers, said this:

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 NLT

In obedience to God, to partner with Him in bringing heaven to earth, we are called to love others the same way Jesus loved us. And let me tell you, He wasn’t faking it. Jesus’ love was so serious it led to His death. Now, we have the opportunity to treat and love like Jesus loved us.

Check out this message  on love and obedience today. And take a step. Ask your youth pastor how you can serve at your church.