Introduction:

Last week we read the story of Jesus' greatest act of servanthood up to that point in the story. It was the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Luke (22:24) tells that at the Last Supper the disciples were still arguing who was the greatest! In the upper room, hours before he is about to die, he acts out what it means to be a servant. He needed to talk about servanthood. Obviously, Jesus needed to act it out to them.

The end of the footwashing, is followed by the departure of Judas and then the words of our text today: When (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. [32] If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. [33] "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. |:[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.:|

I) Love in the Crucible

That finally comes down to the most basic, doesn't it? That's the payoff of Christianity- As I have loved you, so you must love one another. We can talk about theology until the cows come home, and that's a key part of understanding our faith; we can study the Bible until we memorize it in the Greek and Hebrew; but the proof is in love. That's what my family notices and judges me by.. That's what shows a congregation to be real or not. Love.

In the past few months, with so many people around here going through tragedies and huge challenges, I have been impressed again and again with the love of this Body of Christ. You have carried each other through these times of fear, of sadness, of hurt, of disappointment, of depression and difficulty.

I remember the night we gathered the elders of the Congregation at Methodist Hospital to pray for Jim just before his surgery. As one loyal friend after another entered that chapel, I was deeply choked up; that was the kind of moment that makes St. Paul's great. It's not the huge numbers; it's not the financial strength; it's not fame or tradition or program- St. Paul's two greatest strengths are the Biblical eldership of its leaders and the love of its members.

In these past months, we have been challenged to a depth we've never faced before. As gold is purified in a crucible in an intense furnace, so we have faced the fire. We have had, and still have several members who face life-and-death health crises. We have seen a youth worker arrested for abusing one of our young people. We have faced financial challenges ever since 9/11. At the exact same time, our program has been attracting national attention; we continue to expand our teaching role and God has even supplied us with the funds to call an Associate Pastor. As God strengthens us and moves us forward, the attack is clear; over and over again our God is greater.

In the midst of all this, I have seen God's love poured out again and again in the lives of our people. To see you tenderly care for each other through all this has been a great blessing. Some congregations would have been torn apart by what we've been through; some would become listless and overwhelmed. You have loved more deeply, held hands and even lifted each other through these months.

II) Discipleship is Costly

This season of trial will come to an end; in fact I'll publicly say that I think we have almost passed through it. I'm also sure will have plenty of challenges throughout the foreseeable future. That's what happens to churches that try to do great things, empowered by a great God. About a year ago, missionary Mike Fehrenbach challenged us to dream as big as our God; to dare to do ministry as big as the God we claim. For me that was a turning point and a great encouragement. Since then we've seen many steps forward, but we've also been through many, many trials.

In the marketing of Christianity, it's hard to find an American church talking about suffering. It's hard to find an American church talking about the cost of discipleship. Mostly Christianity is "marketed" on the basis of what's in it for you. Certainly, there are many benefits in walking with Jesus. But it's not without cost. Jesus gives us some promises in John 16:33:

I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" We like the first and third promises, but the second promise is a promise too! How about 2 Tim 3:12? Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

If they killed the Master, can we expect not to enter into the walk he walked? We don't go looking for trouble; we don't beat ourselves with whips; we don't go into life in sadness and joylessness- we've got the greatest joy in the world- Jesus himself!

But sometimes it's hard. When the kingdom moves forward, it's not without cost. Seeing the Luther movie a couple weeks ago showed again the incredible suffering, persecution and uncertainty the Reformers experienced. Luther had to be kidnaped in order to keep him from being burned at the stake. He faced the threat of death constantly for decades. At one point, John Calvin was run out of Geneva on a rail- a year later he was in charge of the city. God has a way of making things right.

III) Love Breaks Through

But in times like this, what makes life bearable is the love of the Body of Christ. When times get the hardest, it brings out the true nature of a church. By their fruits you will know them. Now, we are certainly not perfect people, nor a perfect congregation, nor are you served by a perfect pastor. But in the midst of the white-hot pain of the last months, I am humbled by you, and proud of you for the love you have shown. You have carried each other and carried me, too, through these hard days. You have shown the love and reality of Christ once again, to a degree that overwhelms me.

The love you have shown to each other, visiting in the hospital, caring for our families, sharing, bear each others' burdens, taking time for each other- you have been amazing. I thank you for that.

In these many and varied difficulties, you have not taken your eyes off the prize. You have not let anxiety take you over, nor eaten each other up in that anxiety. You have prayed, loved and poured yourself out, and Jesus is glorified in our midst because of it. The Gospel of Jesus, that you are forgiven and loved by God unconditionally through faith in Jesus Christ has empowered you in a remarkable way. The Gospel has power, and we're watching it lived out here daily in the past months.s

Today is "All Saints Sunday" when we remember those faithful ones who have gone on before us. In the New Testament, the word 'saint' doesn't mean a superstar of faith. It means anyone who has been forgiven by Christ. They're the "holy ones"- which is what the word "saint" means. If you trust in Christ, you're a saint, in the New Testament sense. You have been made holy and whole by the love of Christ. That's where the love comes from. You're holy because you're forgiven; you love because he first loved you. And you have shown great love in these past months.

That's all I have to say this morning. I thank you for your love for each other, for your leaders, for your staff and for me. We will make it through this time; we will boldly reach out to our new neighbors as they arrive, and we are about to see God do great things in our midst. Our God is able.

Jesus said, [34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. You know that; you live it. We will continue to hang in there and trust in the Lord of that love.

This isn't a profoundly deep theological sermon; it doesn't have a lot of stories, and not even a good joke. But Jesus' words to us don't need decoration. Jesus words are enough; [34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. We will trust in him and abide in his love. As long as we do that, as we walk by faith, even in the midst of the fire, we know we're in the center of his will. He is good. His grace and love are sufficient. His steadfast love endures forever. We shall trust him and love each other. Amen.

Nov. 2 - All Saints Sunday - P-21

Leviticus 19:13-18

" 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.

" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.

[14] " 'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.

[15] " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

[16] " 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.

" 'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

[17] " 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

[18] " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Romans 12:9-18

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

John 13:31-34

When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. [32] If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

[33] "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

[34] "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.