* You can now watch a video of this message at: https://new.livestream.com/rickpina/live.
(John 14:21 Phillips) “Every man who knows my commandments and obeys them is the man who really loves me, and every man who really loves me will himself be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and make myself known to him.”
Note: Before I get started I want to share with you that the Lord allowed me to teach a powerful message last night about Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing the Divinity God has placed in you. You can watch the message at: http://vimeo.com/rickpina/minimizing. Now let’s get into the Word for this morning.
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on “Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing Your Divinity.” Last week we spent some time in John chapter 14. After studying chapters 5, 6, 8, and 12, and seeing how Jesus operated in the earth, in chapter 14 we learned that Jesus expects us to do what He did, to live like He lived, to hear from the Father, and to make Kingdom impact everywhere we go. In our last message we learned that the key to hearing from God is the realization that God’s Spirit (God Himself), lives inside of us. God wants to speak to us, lead us, and reveal His plans to us, but we must be willing to listen. We also must be willing to DO what He tells us to do. Earlier in the chapter Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” Jesus’ point is what we show our love for God by simply doing what He tells us to do. Later in the chapter Jesus said, “Every man who knows my commandments and obeys them is the man who really loves me, and every man who really loves me will himself be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and make myself known to him.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You show your love for God through obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” and “Every man who knows my commandments and obeys them is the man who really loves me.” Do you love God? Then simply do what He tells you to do. God wants to reach the world through you. He wants to do the impossible through you. He wants to perform the supernatural through you. However, to do it, God will lead you to attempt things you cannot do without Him, and He simply wants you to leap out, in faith, at the risk of looking foolish, and when you do, He will do what you can’t and the world will see Jesus IN you!
2. As you express your love to God you will experience His love on another level. Jesus said, “Every man who really loves me will himself be loved by my Father and I too will love him.” When you first come to God you experience His love, because you could not be Born-Again without it. But at first, you really don’t know how to love God back. The more you grow in Christ, and the more you die to sin and self, the more you are able to express your love to God, and the more you are able to experience His love. When you get to this point you experience God’s love on a greater level and it changes you forever. The greatest truth I have ever learned is that God loves me!
3. The more you obey God, the more He will reveal Himself to you. Jesus said, “Every man who really loves me will himself be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and make myself known to him.” As you show your love for God by obeying what He tells you to do, not only do you experience God’s love on another level, but God also reveals Himself to you on another level. Why would God reveal the deepness of His nature to someone who is not willing to do what He says? However, when God finds a person who is committed to doing whatever He tells them to do, even at the risk of looking foolish, then God reveals Himself to the submitted son in a way only reserved for those who are willing to die to self.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your undeserved grace and everlasting love. You loved me enough to send Your Son Jesus to die for me, even when I was of no use to You. You loved me while I was a sinner. Jesus loved me enough to die in my place. The Holy Spirit loves me enough to live in me, even during those times when I expose Him to things that makes Him cringe. Thank You Father for Your love and grace. You are far better to me than I deserve. By faith I declare that I prove my love for You by doing what You tell me to do. I obey Your commandments. I know You want to impact the world through me. Therefore, I will attempt to do whatever You tell me to do, even if I know it exceeds my human ability. I will launch out in faith, even at the risk of looking foolish. What is impossible with man is possible with You, so I am ready, willing and open to attempt the humanly impossible by Your supernatural power. I decrease, that You may increase through me. And as I do, You reveal Yourself to me on a greater level. I show my love for You by dying to self and living for You. You then pour Your love into me, on a greater level, and it changes me forever. I love You, You love me, and Your love is the fuel that keeps me going, even when I feel like giving up. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
