“The Shape Of Love: The Cross” | John 15:9-14 Bible Study

First streamed on 2.15.23. First posted on 2.17.23.

Also see the previous study on John 15:9-14. For more context, please see the previous study on John 15:1-8 (“Foreign or Fruitful?”).

Regardless of what the culture says, true love is shaped like the cross of the Christ.

It entails vertical love for God (i.e., loyal obedience (Dt 6:5, 10:12, 11:1; Jn 14:15, 21, 23-24, 15:14, 1 Jn 5:2-3, etc.)) and horizontal love for others (Lev 19:18; Jn 15:12; 1 Jn 3:16; Rom 12:10, 13:9; Heb 13:1, etc.) — sacrificially striving for their good.

The greatest commandments concern loving the LORD (Dt 6:5) and loving our neighbors (Lev 19:18) (see Mt 22:37-40). And there’s no greater love than the sacrifice of the Savior (Jn 15:13).

No matter your relationship status is, Christ thinks you are to die for.

So, not just on Valentine’s Day, but everyday, let’s seek to be like the real St. Valentine(s) (who were martyred ministers!) – and exemplify sacrificial, Christ-like, cross-shaped love.

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2-15-23 Bible Study Slides John 15_9-14

Bibliography

  • Arndt, William, Frederick W. Danker, Walter Bauer, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
  • Beasley-Murray, George R. John. Vol. 36. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002.
  • Borchert, Gerald L. John 12–21. Vol. 25B. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002.
  • Burge, Gary M. “John.” In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, 3:840–80. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995.
  • Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
  • Cross, F. L., and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford;  New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. [ODCC]
  • Guthrie, Donald. “John.” In New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 4th ed., 1021–65. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 1994.
  • Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary & 2. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012.
  • Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.[Keener IVP]
  • Klink, Edward W., III. John. Edited by Clinton E. Arnold. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016.
  • Kruse, Colin G. John: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 4. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
  • Merriam Webster, Inc. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster, Inc., 2003. [MW]
  • Michaels, J. Ramsey. The Gospel of John. The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
  • Milne, Bruce. The Message of John: Here Is Your King!: With Study Guide. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
  • Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to John. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995.
  • Silva, Moisés, ed. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.
About @DannyScottonJr 460 Articles
Imperfect Servant ✝?⛪ | Husband | Princeton U. Alum | M. Div. | Assistant (to the) Pastor | Sound Doctrine & Apologetics @catchforchrist