Loving On Jesus Series

OPEN: I love to sing, and one of my favorite Hymns is “Oh How I love Jesus”.

Sing it with me now if you would:

1. There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;

It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.

CHORUS: O, how I love Jesus, O, how I love Jesus,

O, how I love Jesus; because He first loved me.

2. It tells me of a Savior’s love, Who died to set me free;

It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.

(pause) Oh – how I love Jesus.

That’s why we’re here isn’t it?

We love Jesus and so we come to church.

But Jesus seems to IMPLY in John 14 that that’s not always going to be true. NOT everybody who says they love Jesus really loves Jesus because many don’t accept what He commands.

ILLUS Just as an example: back in the 1990’s – during riots in Los Angeles – a radio reporter broadcast an interview he had had with one of the looters. The man had just stepped out of a record store carrying a number cassette tapes he decided he wanted.

When asked what he had stolen, the man replied, "Gospel tapes. I love Jesus."

Now, did that man really love Jesus?

No, of course not.

But he had convinced himself that he really did.

How do I know this man didn’t love Jesus?

Because he was stealing from someone to satisfy his own desires. He wasn’t obeying Jesus, he was just obeying his own selfishness.

Not everyone who says they love Jesus really loves Him… or really wants to listen to Him.

ILLUS: A Barna study in 2009 found that – of those Americans who SAID they were believers:

· 34% believed that the Bible was NOT accurate in all it teaches.

· 40% believed that ALL religions teach equally valid truths.

· 55% say that if a person is generally good or does enough good things for others they will EARN A PLACE in heaven.

· 34% believe that there are some sins that even God cannot forgive.

· 44% believe that Jesus committed sins while on earth.

· 40% believe that after he was crucified, Jesus did not physically return to life.

Many of the folks in that survey weren’t really listening to Jesus were they?

Their answers reflect they hadn’t been listening to Jesus very closely.

Much of what they said they believed was pure heresy.

Now their answers might not keep them out of heaven… BUT it does serve to point out that too many people don’t seem to be paying attention to Jesus. They don’t love Jesus enough to really know what He says/commands.

Not everyone who says they love Jesus actually does.

And there are too many of people - in churches across the land - that don’t pay attention to Him.

Jesus said:

"If you love me, you will obey what I command….

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching…” John 14:15 & 23

Well I want to love Jesus.

I don’t want Him upset with me.

I want to do what is pleasing to Him.

So - If it’s so important that I obey Him - and that’s the measure of my love - how am I going to know what He wants me to know? Where would I look to find that out? (Bible)

That’s right I would look in the Bible.

The Apostle Peter wrote: we ought“ Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” 1 Peter 2:2

Peter is saying that I should do more than just read the God’s Word.

I need to CRAVE it like a little baby craves milk.

ILLUS: You ever seen a baby who wants its milk?

What does a baby do if it can’t get its milk?

It cries… and it cries… and it cries.

How long does that baby cry?

It cries until it gets that milk.

That little baby WILL NOT GIVE UP until it has received its bottle

That is how much you and I need to want to read God’s Word

Back in the Old Testament – one of the greatest kings that ever lived wrote these words:

“How I LONG for your precepts!” Psalm 119:40

“Your statutes are MY DELIGHT; they are my counselors.” Psalm 119:24

“Your decrees are THE THEME OF MY SONG wherever I lodge.” Psalm 119:54

“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are MY DELIGHT.” Psalm 119:143

What was King David saying?

He was saying – I crave God’s Word like a baby craves its milk.

I LONG for it.

I DELIGHT in it.

It’s the very theme of my song.