Loving Jesus – Part 2

Loving Jesus – Part 2

By Pastor Gary Wayne

As an illustration, last week I talked about the need to kindle and re-kindle our love for our spouse, so we don’t drift apart, and become stagnated in our relationship.

Something I think is vital for each of us, is to make sure we say to each other the words “I Love You” frequently.

When you have been married for a length of time, and when we have been a Christian for a length of time, there can be a tendance to take our spouse for granted – to take my relationship with Jesus for granted.
So it is imperative that I kindle and re-kindle my love for Jesus.

Last week I gave what I believe is an excellent tool we can use at home.
Set your alarm to go off at random times of the day to remind you to spend a few moments “loving Jesus.”

When my alarm goes off, I simply say, “Jesus, I love you.”

As I walked through this exercise for myself, I made some observations I want to visit.

When I was busy and the alarm went off, I tended to say the words, without any real meaning behind them. After I realized I was doing this, I noticed that when I would say those words without any real feeling included with them, they would almost stick in my throat.

What is the answer to this problem? Mean what you say.
And I need a fresh revelation of God’s love for me.

Text: John 17:20-26, Colossians 1:26-27, Ephesians 3:14-19
What did Paul pray for? We talked about this last week.
That we would be given a revelation of the Love of God for us.

Rooted and grounded in that love. POWERFUL!!!
Ver.19c “…filled with the fullness of God.”
What a mystery.

Col.1:26-27
What is the “mystery” this text talks about? (hint it is in 2 parts)

26.This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.
27. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. New Living Translation

But not only does God want to live in each one of us, the Father wants to have a relationship with you as close as He did with His Son Jesus when Jesus lived here on Earth.

John 17:20-26 (This is the Lord’s Prayer.) Read in NIV
New International Version
John 17:20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Jesus prayed that we would experience the same union - joining together - with Father God that Jesus has with His Father. Total Oneness.
Our soul was designed for union with God.
Not just faith in God, not merely obedience, but union.

Put your hands together palm pressed together, now intertwined your fingers.
Union – Intertwining – Joining together – Total oneness

Today I pray Paul’s prayer, for revelation of the Love of God for us - Rooted and Grounded in that love.
I pray we will come to a revelation of His indwelling, His desire for closeness to intertwined with my soul and spirit.

Question: What breaks down that union?
What builds it up?

God I want - need union with You.
My soul is made for union with You.
I give myself to You now to be one with You in everything.
I pray for union.
I pray for oneness – heal my union with You.