Throughout this series we will seek to understand and answer the question:What does God expect of me?

We believe whole heartedly that it is only by the grace and mercy of God that we can be saved. There is absolutely nothing we can ever do to earn our salvation.
But truths such as the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God do not nullify the fact that He has expectations about how we are to live our lives.

Our teaching series is based on the parable of Jesus in Matthew 25 known as the parable of the talents.

What we do with what we have been given, matters to God.

What does God really want from me? He wants it all. All of you.

As we enter John Chapter 15, Jesus is just hours away from the Cross. He and his disciples are together sharing a meal, as Jesus gives some final instructions and encouragement.

Think about this scene for a moment: The master (Jesus) is going away, and he has gathered his disciples together to entrust them with some final instructions.

I can’t help but wonder if the disciples in that moment were remembering the parable of the talents.

Not just lay down your time, lay down your money, lay down your gifts…Lay down your life.

God wants all of me?
Jesus calls us to lay down our lives?

This is a puzzling concept that many of us don't truly understand.

One of the keys to Jesus' command is in these two words: 'greater love'.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (Verse 13)

Jesus is calling us to a radically new way of living of loving.
By our definition, this does not make sense. We cannot fathom this kind of love, because our concept of love is so limited and flawed.
It would be impossible to comprehend this kind of love, except Jesus himself demonstrated it for us.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (Verse 12)

It's important to note: this isn't a suggestion. Jesus isn't suggesting we embrace this kind of 'greater love'. He is commanding it.
"You must love as I have loved you."

Verses for further study/reflection:
1 Corinthians 6:19
Luke 9:24
1 John 3:16-18
John 10:11
2 Corinthians 5:15
Romans 12:1
Jeremiah 10:23
1 John 3:16