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Sunday School Special : Lesson 121

Text: John 13:31-38
17 July 2022

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 17 JULY 2022

Text: John 13:31-38

Subject: A new commandment

INTRODUCTION

1. The reality of Death

a) Many fear it
b) If they do not fear Death, they dread it

2. The Understanding of the Lord Jesus on the subject of Death

a) This is profound
b) It has to be carefully examined

DEATH AND THE GLORIFYING OF THE LORD JESUS

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.

33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:31-35

1. Judas had left the Lord Jesus and His Disciples

2. He had gone to inform the Sanhedrin Council concerning the movements of the Lord Jesus

3. The Lord Jesus addressed the Disciples concerning His Death

4. The key word was “Glorify”

a) The Son of Man is glorified
b) God is glorified in Him
c) God will glorify Him in Himself
d) And glorify Him immediately (John 13:31-32)

5. You cannot come (John 13:33)

a) Death was not imminent for the Disciples
b) They had a ministry entrusted to them

A NEW COMMANDMENT

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

1. A new commandment was given

a) A fresh reminder
b) Nevertheless, a commandment from the Lord

2. Love for one another

a) The Disciples must learn to love one another
b) Love is the hallmark of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus

PETER’S AVOWAL OF COMMITMENT TO THE LORD

36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

John 13:36-37

1. Peter’s direct question

a)  He knew what the Lord Jesus meant
b) He knew that the Lord would soon die

2. The reply of the Lord Jesus

a) Peter cannot follow immediately
b) But one day, he will follow the Lord in death

PETER’S DENIAL OF THE LORD JESUS FOREWARNED

Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

John 13:38

1. The Lord Jesus knew His Disciple Peter better than he knew himself

2. He gave a word of warning to Peter

a) This will come to pass
b) He will deny the Lord Jesus three times before the rooster crowed

CONCLUSION

1. We need to have a strong and mature understanding of “Death”

a) How wonderful to be unafraid of death
b) Wonderful also to know to know that we can glorify God in death

2. We also need to know better

a) Our strengths
b) Our weaknesses

3. The Commandment of the Lord Jesus

a) To love one another
b) To make sure that Love is the hallmark of our being called Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ