Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
What Does God Want from Me? All
What we do with ALL we’ve been given matters to God
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. God expects his people to utilize what they have been given for the growth of his Kingdom. That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to see in this parable.
It’s important that we consider things like time, talents, money, even what’s on our cards- But all these things are just handles for us to grasp what God really wants of his disciples.
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.
John 15:9-11
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
When we ask, “What does God expect of me?” its asked within this relationship, this love.
It’s not an arbitrary command from an overruling boss or principal- It’s a relational commitment between you and Christ.
As we continue, we must remember- this is relational, not contractual.
John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
As the master in Luke 19 gave the instruction “Put this money to work until I return” Jesus says “love each other as I have loved you”
In just a few hours, as Jesus went to the cross, he showed the world the ultimate standard of Love.
“Love others as I have loved you.”
John 15:14-17
You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
It’s fascinating here that Jesus takes the time to reframe their relationship. He said I no longer call you servants, but instead I have called you friends.
Friends because his disciples know the HEART of their master.
You are my friends; I have chosen you- Why?
So that you can live for yourself?
So, you can grip your card and use it how you want?
No, I have chosen you, appointed you, that you would bear fruit, fruit that will last. Cards on the table.
For Jesus there is a direct link between bearing fruit, loving one another, and laying down your life.
If we go all the way back to the beginning and pick up our theme question- What does God expect of me? What do we see here in the words of Jesus?
That we would remain in relationship with him and we would love others as he has loved us.
Moment by moment, day by day, in fellowship and intimacy with Him. We can’t begin to live a life like Jesus is talking about apart from him- We cannot do it on our own and we aren’t supposed to.
Remain in my love. Receive my JOY. Love others as I have loved you.
As Jesus loved, he didn’t hold back, he didn’t play it safe, he didn’t create a list of pros and cons to see which side made the most sense
He gave sacrificially. He gave it all. He laid down His life. And He commands that we do that same
Give up YOUR life
Lose YOUR life
Lay down YOUR life
Give him ALL
Give him your all, as he gave you His.
Updates on the new Waynesboro campus
God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!
Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.
Giving at COTN
If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!