May 18th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"THE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP" (John 13:31-35)

Lectionary Readings — Fifth Sunday of Easter — May 18, 2025

Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

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Call to Worship (based on John 13:31-35)

Leader: When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him."

People: In this moment, Jesus speaks not of betrayal but of glory.

Leader: "Little children, I am with you only a little longer. Where I am going, you cannot come."

People: Yet in these parting words, he gives us guidance for our life together.

Leader: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

People: The love Christ showed was humble and serving when he washed his disciples' feet.

Leader: This new commandment shows us how to live as his followers.

People: His sacrificial love reveals the heart of God to us.

Leader: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

All: Let us worship the God who loved us first and calls us to love one another.

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Opening Prayer (based on Acts 11:1-18)

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God,

We come before You today with open hearts, much like Peter stood before the church in Jerusalem, ready to share how You are working in ways that surpass our understanding.

Lord, we acknowledge that You are a God who breaks down the barriers that we often build between one another. Just as You showed Peter that what You have made clean should not be called common or unclean, help us to see one another through Your eyes of love and acceptance.

You are the central force that guides and empowers Your church. Like the early believers, we sometimes cling to our traditions and preconceptions, questioning the new things You are doing. Forgive us when we resist Your movement, when we judge others as outsiders, or when we hesitate to welcome those whom You have already welcomed.

Remind us that Your salvation is for all people, not by our merit or heritage, but by Your grace alone. As Peter asked, "Who was I that I could hinder God?"

Transform our experiences into shared testimony that glorifies Your name. May we, like the Jerusalem believers, fall silent before Your wisdom and rejoice that You grant the gift of repentance that leads to life to all who believe.

Lord, continue to pour out Your Spirit upon us today. Give us visions that challenge our assumptions, conversations that broaden our understanding, and experiences that deepen our faith. Make us witnesses of Your boundless love in our homes, our community, and to the ends of the earth.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who tears down dividing walls of hostility and makes us one family in You,

Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: “THE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP" (John 13:31-35)

Introduction:

• Context: This passage occurs immediately after Judas leaves to betray Jesus. Rather than dwelling on betrayal, Jesus speaks of glory and love.

• Text: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35, NRSV)

• Theme: Jesus' love command represents the definitive mark of Christian discipleship.

I. The MOMENT of Glory (John 13:31-32)

A. Marked by Departure

B. Manifesting God's Glory

C. Magnified through Sacrifice

II. The MEMORIAL of Separation (John 13:33)

A. Meaningful Relationship

B. Measured Time

C. Missing Presence

III. The MANDATE of Love (John 13:34-35)

A. Momentous Command

B. Modeled Example

C. Mutual Obligation

IV. The MARK of Discipleship (John 13:35)

A. Manifest Identity

B. Meaningful Testimony

C. Magnetic Witness

Conclusion

• Challenge: How is our love distinguishing us as Christ's disciples?

• Promise: The same Jesus who commands us to love empowers us to love

• Prayer: For the grace to love as Jesus loves

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers