DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 24 September, 2017

LESSON 662: SERVING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE MEMORY VERSE: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” – Romans 12:10 TEXT: Romans 12:9-13; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

SUMMARY (1) The previous study focused on holiness with hospitality: Every human needy person deserves our help; we must respond in love. We should especially care for believers in the household of faith – the Church. We should not let ‘ministerial duty’ stop our caring: care is our core duty! The true neighbour is one who helps the needy: Evangelise and care! The study of today touches on three points: Christain love: The basis of service. Commitment and zeal in God’s service. The sacrificial love among the brethren.

SUMMARY (2) Christain love: The basis of service (Rom. 12:9,10; John 13:34,35): Love is the centre of effective outreach and any other meaningful service. Our love must not approve of sin. We must shun any conduct that is stained by sin or promotes it and “love one another with a pure heart fervently.” Our love must be impartial and unconditional; it must not be selfish. Commitment and zeal in God’s service (Rom. 12:11,12): Believers should not be lazy in domestic, secular AND Christian service. Diligence implies being fully prepared: at home, at work and in ministry. The sacrificial love among the brethren (Rom. 12:13): Every believer should contribute in God’s house whether poor or rich. Our profession of love should not be merely theory: we can give practically through kind words, physical help, money or materials.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 What is the place of love in Christian service? John 13:34,35 Romans 12:9,10 Hebrews 13:1 1 Peter 1:22

QUESTION 2 How is love practically shown? 1 Corinthians 13:4,5 Philippians 2:3 Ephesians 4:32 1 Peter 3:8

QUESTION 3 Mention six things that should characterize our Christian service: Romans 12:11,12

QUESTION 4 How and what can we distribute to meet the needs of other believers? Romans 12:13 1 John 3:16,17 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3

CONCLUSION Love is the backbone of effective outreach and true ministry. Divine love does not approve sin: it shuns and rebukes it. Practical love is expressed in service: at home in domestic work, at work being diligent and faithful and in the Church being prepared and fervent. Love gives: all of us should contribute to the progress of the Church in word and action, giving practically for the welfare of God’s house. Supreme love for God and sacrificial love for our fellowmen attract God’s blessings.