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Love one another… (6 points)
- 1st – The command to LOVE… vs. 1-3
- 1st – ABIDE… vs. 1
- LET brotherly LOVE continue…
- There are only TWO words in verse 1 in the GREEK – LET / LOVE…
- LET [μένω] – is the word ABIDE – a familiar word…
- We are told we must ABIDE in Jesus – apart from Him we can do nothing – John 15:4
- Including LOVE – we must ABIDE in Jesus in order for us to be able to LOVE others!
- LOVE must be the driving motive behind everything we do as believers…
- Because no matter what we DO – if it does NOT come from LOVE – it means NOTHING!
- I Corinthians 13:3 – “[Even if I give all I have] to feed the poor, [and] I give my body to be burned, but do not have LOVE, it profits me nothing.”
- Why do we need to ABIDE…
- Because we MUST let brotherly LOVE CONTINUE…
- LET – [present imperative] – this is a CONSTANT command…
- LOVE in NOT optional in the life of a believer – it should be what DEFINES us!
- John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
- We are not just to LOVE – when we FEEL like it – or when people DESERVE it…
- We are COMMANDED to ALWAYS love our BROTHERS / SISTERS in Christ…
- Because we are IDENTIFIED as children of God – through our LOVE…
- The ONLY way we can LOVE – CONTINUALLY – is by ABIDING in Jesus!
- I John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
- LET brotherly LOVE continue…
- 2nd – Love our BROTHER… vs. 1
- There are FOUR words in GREEK that are translated as LOVE…
- [Έρως] – sexual love – the only one of the loves never mentioned in the Bible…
- [στοργή] – family love – the love of a sibling / parent / relative – Romans 12:10
- [ἀγάπη] – perfect love – used over 200 times in NT…
- [φίλος] – friendship – used 25 times in NT!
- Brotherly LOVE [φιλαδελφία] – a compound word – LOVE [φίλος] brother [ἀδελφός]
- We are to be FRIENDLY to our BROTHERS in Christ – by putting them FIRST!
- Romans 12:10 – “With brotherly love [same word] and kindly affection [family love] to one another – in honor giving preference to one another.”
- On any given Sunday – we might ask how someone is doing – but do we really care…
- We might ask because we feel we have to – but there is no genuine LOVE!
- People can tell if we really CARE – or are just going through the motions…
- People will not CARE what we say – until they are sure that we CARE…
- We tend to think the world revolves around us – it is easy to ignore the needs of others…
- Which is why we NEED to have brotherly LOVE – and become others centered!
- Philippians 2:4 – “Do not look out only for your own interests but take an interest in others.”
- Perfect LOVE…
- I Thessalonians 4:9 – “Concerning brotherly [φιλαδελφία] love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love [ἀγάπη] one another.”
- No one needs to TEACH us how to have brotherly LOVE – we already know…
- It is treating others the same way we want to be treated – Matthew 7:12
- But God has TAUGHT us an even GREATER love!
- [φίλος] LOVE means that we like our friend – which is good – but not enough…
- Because those who do not know Jesus – will still [φίλος] those who [φίλος] them back…
- [ἀγάπη] LOVE means we LOVE our enemies – do good those who HATE us – Luke 6:27
- That the world NEVER would never do – and it will prove we are the children of God!
- Luke 6:35 – “Love [ἀγάπη] your enemies… and you will be sons of the Most High.”
- There are FOUR words in GREEK that are translated as LOVE…
- 1st – ABIDE… vs. 1
- 2nd – Love STRANGERS… vs. 2
- 1st – Do NOT forget…
- Do not FORGET to entertain STRANGERS…
- A SECOND way we can show LOVE – is by not forgetting STRANGERS…
- FORGET [present / imperative] – we are COMMANDED never to FORGET strangers…
- STRANGERS [φιλοξενία] – a compound word – LOVE [φίλος] strangers [ξένος]
- So we are not only to LOVE our BROTHERS in Christ…
- We are ALSO commanded to LOVE everyone else – those who are NOT in Christ!
- 2nd – Entertaining Angels…
- For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels…
- Abraham invited the three STRANGERS to have a SNACK – Genesis 18
- His idea of giving them a SNACK – was a full blown FEAST!
- We are not told that Abraham knew who the THREE men were – TWO angels and the Lord…
- It is possible he knew but more likely that he was just being HOSPITABLE!
- I Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable [love strangers] to one another without grumbling.”
- We must be HOSPITABLE – practically showing LOVE – even to STRANGERS…
- Not out of OBLIGATION – no GRUMBLING [I have to do this] – but out of genuine LOVE!
- Not that we are likely to ever entertain angels literally – but you never know!
- When we take the time to give food the hungry and drink to the thirsty…
- By doing so we show the LOVE of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
- Through which we now have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus – Romans 2:4
- More than that – we when we care for strangers we are actually ministering to Jesus!
- Matthew 25:40 – “[Jesus] will answer and say to them – Assuredly I say to you – inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren you did it to Me.”
- 1st – Do NOT forget…
- 3rd – Remember PRISONERS… vs. 3
- 1st – Remember prisoners…
- Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated…
- REMEMBER – [present / imperative] – we are commanded to ALWAYS remember….
- PRISONERS – those who have been arrested – as if we were CHAINED with them!
- A THIRD way we can show our LOVE – is towards those in PRISON…
- This is definitely out of our COMFORT zone – people in PRISON belong in PRISON…
- We tend to think they are PAYING the price for their CHOICES – no need to VISIT…
- But PRISONS are some of the best MISSIONS fields…
- No one needs to convince them they are SINNERS – they are OPEN to needing a SAVIOR!
- My Father went into prisons for more than THIRTY years…
- It was not a glamorous way to serve – or easy – hardened prisoners…
- But as a result I do not think I could count the number of people he led to Jesus!
- We are called to LOVE one another – not just when it is convenient or easy…
- There is great joy as we get to pour the LOVE of Jesus into the lives of others!
- Proverbs 11:25 – “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
- Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated…
- 2nd – Body of Christ…
- Since you yourselves are in the body also…
- We might never pay attention to our BIG TOE till we injure it – then that is all we think of…
- Try running with an injured foot – and we realize EVERY part is necessary!
- We all have our place within the BODY of Christ – a purpose God has given to us…
- Each PERSON is vital for the church – the BODY of Christ – to function properly…
- If any part is HURTING – or MISSING – the whole BODY suffers…
- Since we are PART of the BODY – we are called to come along side others – even in PRISON…
- Because although we each individual – we are all belong to CHRIST!
- I Corinthians 12:26-27 – “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
- 1st – Remember prisoners…
- 4th – Honor marriage… vs. 4
- 1st – Marriage is HONORABLE…
- Marriage is honorable among all…
- A FOURTH way we can show LOVE is by honoring MARRIAGE!
- HONORABLE [τίμιος] – of great value – precious – VERY important…
- Marriage is PERFECT – God created MARRIAGE before sin entered the world – Genesis 2:18
- A LIFELONG relationship between ONE man and ONE woman…
- That was MEANT to be a PICTURE of the LOVE of God!
- God calls us His CHILDREN / He also calls us His BRIDE…
- It is through marriage we understand how much our Heavenly Father loves us!
- The [marriage] bed undefiled…
- God intends intimate relationships to be ONLY for marriage…
- The bed is undefiled / pure – ONLY in a lifelong relationship between a husband and wife…
- Which means that if someone is struggling with purity – better to be MARRIED!
- I Corinthians 7:9 – “For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
- Marriage ceremony…
- I had someone once ask – is it necessary to have a WEDDING ceremony…
- If two people love one another – is that not enough!
- There is NO biblical layout for HOW [tradition] a WEDDING ceremony should take place…
- But it is VERY important to have a WEDDING – make a VOW before God and men…
- It is what establishes a LIFELONG covenant between one man and one woman…
- It is also required by the government – which we are to submit to – Romans 13:1
- Marriage is honorable among all…
- 2nd – God will JUDGE…
- Fornicators and adulterers God will judge…
- FORNICATORS [πόρνος] – refers to ANY sexual act outside of MARRIAGE…
- Sex immorality sells – the world / satan do their best to convince us it is normal…
- Every time we turn on the TV / every time we pick up a magazine…
- Everyone is doing it – just this one time – it does not hurt anyone…
- One day we will get married – is just an excuse to live in sin!
- ADULTERERS…
- ADULTERERS – refers to having relationship with someone other than our SPOUSE…
- The world / satan try to convince us the grass is GREENER on the other side!
- There is no divorce here in the Philippines – yet so often the marriage is NOT honored…
- I have met many couples who are MARRIED – yet have divorced each other in heart!
- Men and women divorce – because they think it is going to make them happier…
- More often than not because they have met someone else who makes them happy…
- And at first it might seem like a good answer – we put our best faces on at first…
- But over time they find they left one sinner – only to marry another sinner!
- God will JUDGE…
- JUDGE [future / indicative] – a reference to one day standing before the JUDGEMENT seat!
- I Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators… nor adulterers… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
- These are NOT unforgivable sins – but those who PRACTICE these things – Galatians 5:21
- As believers – if we sin there should be remorse / confession / repentance – I John 1:9
- If there is NO remorse – NO repentance for sin – there is GOOD reason for concern…
- We cannot say we are saved and continue to live in a lifestyle of sin!
- I John 3:9 – “Whoever has been born of God does not [continue to] sin…”
- Fornicators and adulterers God will judge…
- 1st – Marriage is HONORABLE…
- 5th – Be CONTENT… vs. 5
- 1st – Do not COVET…
- Let your conduct be without covetousness…
- A FIFTH way we show our LOVE – is by being CONTENT…
- Let our CONDUCT – 13x in NT – speaks of our CHARACTER – who we are…
- Without COVETOUSNESS [ἀφιλάργυρος] – 2x in NT – literally to NOT love silver [money] …
- I Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money [same root] is a root of all kinds of evil…”
- Loving money is not THE EVIL – but it certainly can cause all kinds of EVIL!
- The problem is people make MONEY their god – instead of Jesus!
- We cannot dedicate our lives to MONEY and possessions – and to the Lord!
- Luke 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… he will hate the one and love the other… You cannot serve God and [money]…”
- 2nd – Be CONTENT…
- Be content with such things as you have…
- CONTENT – [passive] to be enough – to be satisfied…
- We are to be CONTENT – with whatever we CURRENTLY have…
- Because God has promised to give us EVERYTHING we NEED– Luke 12:31
- There is a BIG difference between NEED and WANT…
- We all have a LOT of WANTS in life – but the question is do we NEED it…
- When we are NOT content – think we NEED more – we are essentially calling God a liar!
- The reason people give thousands of dollars every day to the Lotto…
- They think if I had lots of money like the rich people – then I would be CONTENT!
- If we have food to eat / and clothing – that is enough – I Timothy 6:8
- Because when we came into this world – we had nothing…
- And when we leave – we are going to take absolutely nothing with us…
- So why do we waste time trying to get things that do not last – Ecclesiastes 5:15
- When the only thing in life that really matters – is knowing Jesus!
- Be content with such things as you have…
- 3rd – Jesus will NEVER leave us…
- For He Himself has said – I will never leave you nor forsake you – Joshua 1:5
- We are ABLE to be CONTENT [passive] because of WHO is with us!
- Often times we wonder if God can / will take care of our NEEDS…
- God does not just want to provide for our NEEDS – He is WITH US…
- And He desires to GIVE us – His whole KINGDOM – bless us beyond imagination!
- Luke 12:32 – “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
- Jesus gives us our desires…
- As we ABIDE in Jesus – we can ask for anything we WANT and receive it – John 15:7
- Because We are spending time with God – and therefore know what God wants…
- Since the desire comes from God – we can be certain He will make it happen!
- Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the LORD, He will give you the desires of your heart.”
- For He Himself has said – I will never leave you nor forsake you – Joshua 1:5
- 1st – Do not COVET…
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you!”
6th – Never FEAR… vs. 6
1st – We BOLDLY say…
We boldly say the LORD is my helper – I will NOT fear…
Psalm 118:6 – The LORD is on MY side – I am NEVER [imperfect] afraid…
The final way we can show LOVE – is by NEVER having FEAR!
If we stop to consider WHO is on our side – Jesus – who will NEVER leave us…
Then we understand we NEVER have a reason to EVER be AFRAID!
2nd – What can man do to me…
We HOLD back LOVE – out of FEAR of what someone might do to us…
If we LOVE our BROTHERS in the church – maybe they might BETRAY us…
If we LOVE strangers – they might try and HURT us…
If we LOVE our SPOUSE – what if they do not LOVE us back…
If we LOVE the Lord – what if He does not PROVIDE for our needs!
I John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love – but perfect love casts out fear.”
When we walk in LOVE – there is no room for FEAR…
Because we are NOT looking at what others will do to us…
Instead we are living for what we can do for them – show them LOVE…
The same kind of LOVE that Jesus – who is with us – commanded us to GIVE!
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