Introduction

·        Illustration: After a pastor is unable to put together his child's swing, he finds a humorous card in the box that reads: “When all else fails, read the instructions.”

·        Illustration:a coffee table book entitled Life’s Little Instruction Book offers simple but profound suggestions for a better life.

·        The Bible is the ultimate instruction book.

·        By bearing the fruit of Jesus, we prove that we are his disciples.

·        John 15:9–17

We are to embody Christ-like love, which is tied to reality.

·        Illustration: A young boy has a difficult time putting his complex emotions into words.

·        Too often we’re coaxed into defining love in superficial ways that have no tie to reality.

·        Illustration: Tony Campolo counsels a couple to act out their love for one another even if they don’t feel it at the moment.

·        Illustration: In his autobiography, Jimmy Carter explains that love is something you do more often than it is something you feel all on your own.

·        John 15:15

We, like Christ, are to take on the form of a slave as a living tool of God.

·        John Barclay points out that, by Greek law, a slave or servant was defined as a “living tool” of the master.

·        In Philippians 2:7, Jesus is described as taking on the form of a slave, or “living tool,” of God.

·        John 15:16

·        Illustration: An extended story of a young boy that was told "I love you and Jesus loves you to" before he was murdered.

Big Idea: Jesus calls us to be partners with him in making love tangible in our corner of the world.

·        Illustration:When asked if he was a Christian, an Amish man says to ask his neighbors.

·        Illustration:Mother Theresa said: “No one can do great things for God. We can only do small things with great love.”

Conclusion

·        Let’s focus on what we can do with who we are in order to make love tangible in the world.

·        This will be the fulfillment of Jesus’ instructions and his unmistakable mandate.