1. IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1 – 16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 5. The Promise of Residence (14:1-3) 6. The Way to the Father (14:4-6) 7. The Oneness with the Father (14:7-11) 8. The Performance of Greater Works (14:12-15)

2. a. Because I Go to the Father (v. 12) b. Because You Ask in My Name (vv. 13-14) c. Because You Keep My Commandments (v. 15)  Read Jn 14:15.  There are commentators who claim that there is no connection between this and the preceding verses. ~ But remember Jn 13:34; 14:1, 11, 12-14.

3. ~ These statements, at the very least, are implied commandments. ~ Now as commandments they must be kept if they are to be a blessing. (Cf. Jas 1:22-25)  How else is v. 15 connected to the thought in vv. 12-14?  First of all, the prospect of doing “greater works” foresees the need for enabling power (provided only by the promised Holy Spirit).

4.  Secondly, Scripture shows us a connection between obedience and prayer: Jas 5:16; 1Pet 3:12; Prov15:29. ~ Obedience here is an expression of righteousness. ~ The Lord’s promise of fruitfulness of the “greater works” is not for those who think they can manipulate Him, or use Him for their own ends.

5. ~ At the same time it is not enough to just pray without examining if there is sin somewhere in our lives. ~ We must be willing to first search our hearts, examine our walk before we petition God for anything. ~ Ps 66:18; Isa 59:1-2  Going back to Jn 14:15, the motivation behind all this is LOVE: “If you love Me….”

6. ~ In fact, the uncompromising connection between love for Christ and obedience to Christ repeatedly appears in John’s writings (cf. Jn 14:21, 23; 15:14). ~ 1Jn 5:3  The person who loves Christ will keep not simply a collection of separate ethical directives, but the entire revelation from the Father – everything revealed by God through Christ as a whole.

7. ~ This is an important point because there are people who think that it is enough to obey Christ’s ethical commands while ignoring everything else He has revealed about Himself.  On the other hand, there are those with the view that since the Christian life is under God’s grace we are not obligated to do anything.

8.  But true “love” for Christ is governed and guided by observing His teaching as our only rule of life. ~ Truly loving Christ requires that we do what He commands. ~ John Calvin: “Here we are also reminded how sinful our affections are, since even our love for Christ is not without fault if it is not combined with pure obedience.”

9. ~ Yes, eternal life is truly a gift that we cannot work for or earn. ~ But once we begin that life in Christ, loving and obeying Christ’s commands become the evidence that He is in us.