Sermon

If You Love Me, Show Me

Theme

Showing our love by our actions.

Object

A Valentine card (and one for each child)

Scripture

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15

Valentine cards may be sweet or they may be funny. They may be warm and friendly, or they may be very romantic like this one I bought for my wife. I always spend a lot of time choosing a card for my wife because I want the card to tell her just how much I love her. Do you think my wife enjoys hearing me tell her how much I love her? I know she does, but do you know what else she likes? She likes for me to show her how much I love her. I asked my wife to make a list of things that I could do to show her that I love her. This is what she wrote:

  • hold me
  • kiss me
  • hold my hand
  • spend time with me
  • take me out to eat
  • take me out to a movie
  • help me with the housework
  • wash the dishes
  • send me flowers

Sure, my wife likes for me to tell her I love her -- but she likes it even more when I show her.

Do you think Jesus likes to hear us tell him how much we love him? I am sure that he does, but I think he likes it even more when we show him how much we love him. How do we do that? Well, you know that list my wife made? Jesus made a list too! The list that he made can be found right here in the Bible. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." If we want to show Jesus how much we love him, we will read his Word and do what he told us to do. When you tell Jesus you love him, remember that he likes it even more when you show him -- by keeping his commandments.

Dear Jesus, we love you. Help us to show that love by doing what you have told us to do. Amen.