The Ultimate Public Servant
John 15:12-15
I. His Example
– vs. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Read and expound John 13:1-17
II. His Expression
– vs.13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.
One of the characteristics that each one of us here today
greatly admire and respect is the personal sacrifice that some have made and
make every day.
Part of being a servant is understanding the importance of
sacrifice.
Jesus demonstrated His love by paying the ultimate price –
sacrificial death.
THIS DOCTRINE IS KNOWN AS THE SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT OF
CHRIST.
Means literally that – HE TOOK OUR PLACE.
Jesus was innocent.
Notice the verdict of:
·
PILATE:
- Luke 23:13 And
Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the
people, Said unto them, Ye have brought
this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having
examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things
whereof ye accuse him:
·
PILATE’S
WIFE: Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat,
his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for
I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
·
THE
THIEF ON THE CROSS: Luke 23:41
And we indeed justly; for we receive the
due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
·
Peter
the Apostle: I Peter 2:22 Who
did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again;
when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously: Who his own self bare our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
But the penalty for the sin of man is death.
·
Romans
6:23 For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus willingly gave Himself to be crucified to demonstrate
His great love for us.
·
Romans
5:6 For when we were yet without
strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one
die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.
III. His Expectation
– vs. 4 Ye are my friends, if ye do
whatsoever I command you.
He doesn’t ask us to die for him.
He died for us. But rather, His expectation of us is to
simply obey Him.
To do WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU.
NOTE THE GREAT
COMMISSION: Matt. 28:19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world. Amen.
Conclusion: He
didn’t save us to serve ourselves – He saved us to serve Him.
