More Love To Thee, O Christ

I. Believe In Jesus’ Deity

A. Many Believed Immediately Confusion and reluctance marked Jesus’ early disciples Jn.13:36-38 - Nicodemus confessed of his confidence that Jesus was from God Jn.3:1-5 - Nathanael proclaims, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jn.1:49 - “The wicked flee when no one pursues, the righteous are bold as a lion” Psa.28:1 - Peter became that bold lion! Acts 2:36-38

A. Many Believed Immediately B. Others Were Blind To The Lord Christ rebukes the Jewish leaders for not seeing Him in God’s Word Jn.5:38-39, 44 39 “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” Jn.5

A. Many Believed Immediately B. Others Were Blind To The Lord Christ rebukes the Jewish leaders for not seeing Him in God’s Word Jn.5:38-39, 44 44 “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” Jn.5 - The healed blind man was cast out from the Jews for defending Jesus Jn.9:30-38 - Do you know Jesus? Do you love Him?

II. Learn And Follow Our Lord’s Words

A. The Man Is The Plan Jesus says His disciples move closer to Him through His Words Jn.14:15, 21-24 - What does it mean for disciples today to keep Jesus’ words? I Cor.2:13 - The Lord told His disciples that His words would given to them Jn.14:25-26 and 16:13 - Someone says, “Words are impersonal and boring!” Psa.119:11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart”

B. Some Are 1st Loyal To Their Own Rules A. The Man Is The Plan B. Some Are 1st Loyal To Their Own Rules Christ asks why the Jews reject God’s Law by their “traditions” Mk.7:1-13 7 “‘And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” - Some charge “liberalism” when churches try new scriptural things Rom.14:1-13

III. Love My Brethren More

A. A Mark of True Discipleship Our Savior washed His disciples feet and commanded they do the same Jn.13:12-15 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” - How can people of the world see that we love one another? I Jn.3:17-18 - People see more than we think!

A. A Mark of True Discipleship B. Some Saints Don’t Love Jesus Despising one’s brother makes him a liar and a murderer I Jn.4:20-21 and I Jn.2:15 - We can only love Christ more by putting away sins of the flesh Gal.5:19-21 20 Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, Gal.5 - Bite and devour one another! Gal.5:15

A. A Mark of True Discipleship B. Some Saints Don’t Love Jesus Despising one’s brother makes him a liar and a murderer I Jn.4:20-21 and I Jn.2:15 - We can only love Christ more by putting away sins of the flesh Gal.5:19-21 - Then taking on the servant’s heart of Jesus Christ Phil.2:3-8 - The perfect way to love Jesus more!

IV. Talk With God

A. A Reverent Child’s Prayer Prayer is not first for others but is for God and should be from the heart Matt.6:5-13 - Our Lord taught saints how to reverently talk to God Jn.17:20-21 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

A. A Reverent Child’s Prayer Prayer is not first for others but is for God and should be from the heart Matt.6:5-13 - Our Lord taught saints how to reverently talk to God Jn.17:20-21 21 That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. - When Christians talk to God according to His will he hears them I Jn.5:14-15

A. A Reverent Child’s Prayer B. Sin Blocks Our Petitions The Lord’s face is against those who do evil I Pet.3:12 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. I Sam.28 - Don’t misunderstand! God is always ready to forgive a penitent heart Ezek.18:21-23 - Loving Christ is a growing process

We all have one of two choices: 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I Jn.2 Or 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt.11