THE 11TH COMMANDMENT John 13: 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."

Introduction A preacher asked some children “How man commandments are there?” They said, “Ten.” “No. That is wrong. There are eleven.” In September we studied the 10 Commandments Today – we will study the 11 th Commadment.

CONTEXT John 13 – 17 in the upper room the night before his death Foot washing – example of humility Participation in Passover Feast Institution of the Lord's Supper Christ exposes Judas and his plan Judas leaves to begin the process

CONTEXT John 13 – 17 in the upper room the night before his death There is so much to tell them There is so little time remaining Everything is compressed These chapters are a “zip file” of Jesus' ministry

COMMANDMENT Not a promise Not a wish A Commandment – to be obeyed Demands obedience We break the law by not loving Just like breaking the law by murder or stealing

DUTY – to be obeyed Duty is not often mentioned or taught today For many – everything is relative, situational Some think – You can't command love. Jesus did!

DUTY – to be obeyed Examples of this command John 14:15 – Love me, keep my commandments John 14:2 – Have my commands, obey them John 14:23a – Love me, obey my teachings

DUTY – to be obeyed Examples of this command John 14:28b – Love me, glad I go to the Father John 15:10a – Obey my commands, abide in my love John 15:12 – Love each other as I have loved you

DUTY – to be obeyed Examples of this command John 15:17 – This is my command, love one another REMEMBER: Philaeo = emotion, like, enjoy, attraction Agape = decision to seek what is best for another

DEBT – to be paid Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except love Love is the debt we owe each other Love is the debt we owe the lost Love is the debt we owe the erring Love is the debt we owe the church

LESSON – to be learned Love is learned – parents, teachers, church, family, friends Orphan homes in Russia, China – infants are bundled – fed and changed, but not held It takes years for them to recover

TESTIMONY – to be expressed Others will see our love and our relationship with Christ John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

EFFECT – to be pure 1 Peter 1: Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever

SUMMARY Love is a duty to be obeyed Love is a debt to be paid Love is a lesson to be learned Love is a testimony to be expressed Love is the effect of a pure soul ARE YOU KEEPING THE 11TH COMMANDMENT?