Love Within The Community “Living As Authentic Christians” 1 John 2:9-11, 15-17 April 11, 2010

Love Within The Community Quarter Theme – “Teachings on Community” – Focus: Relationships between the Community of believers. Community = a group of people joined by a common kinship or identity. Relationship = association, connection, bond, link, affiliation, rapport.

Love Within The Community Unit Theme – “Teachings Of Jesus” These April lessons illustrate Jesus’ teachings about relationship in community. Today’s Lesson – “Love Within the Community” – Believer’s within the community are to love one another. This love is evidence that we are walking in the “light” of God’s love and the “light” of God’s Word.

John The Apostle The Beloved Disciple aka, the Apostle of Love. Brother to James Fisherman of Galilee. One of Jesus’ inner circle. Bishop of Ephesus Exiled to Patmos Longest living & only disciple to die a natural death.

1 John, The Book Written from Ephesus by Apostle John about 85-90 AD. To reassure Christians in their faith & to counter false teaching. He writes as an eyewitness. John uses the imagery of light, love, & life to describe the character of God and all those who follow Him.

Living As Authentic Christians John uses metaphors of “light” and “darkness” to describe the spiritual state of all people. Darkness = absence of light; wickedness; the life of sin without Christ. Light = purity, brilliant illumination; absolute truth & holiness; the life of righteousness & holiness in Christ

LIGHT GOD is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1John 1:5) JESUS is the light that has come into the world and enlightens everyone. (John 1:9) That light brings life. (John 1:4) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. (Isa. 9:2)

DARKNESS Our life in sin without God is compared to darkness. “The people who sat in darkness . . . and them which sat in the region and shadow of death. . .” (Matt. 4:16) How great is that darkness?? **

Living As Authentic Christians Hate = to despise; dislike intensely; a strong aversion or distaste for; to abhor; intense hostility/anger. If you hate your brother or sister you are still in darkness!

A New Commandment This “New” Commandment is really An “Old” Commandment LOVE ONE ANOTHER LOVE is the identifying characteristic of the Church. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”

Love Within The Community Our Challenge – to live in the Light! To love one another. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. Choose to Love!!

Living As Authentic Christians “Love not the world; neither the things that are in the world.” The World = (Gk. kosmos) a system or order (ideology, culture, institution) whose values oppose God. The “things” of world – can be anything material, spiritual, ideological, or systemic, that is in opposition to God!

Put Off Worldliness Worldliness is characterized by three attitudes – Craving for physical pleasure – preoccupation with gratifying physical desires. Craving for everything we see – coveting & accumulating things. Pride in our achievements & possessions – obsession with one’s status or importance.

“Nothing New Under The Sun” Satan is using the same old temptations to trip up the people of God. In Genesis 3:6, the serpent tempted Eve in these “3” areas. In the New Testament, the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, with these same “3” attacks. (Matt. 4:1-11)

“The Lust of The Flesh” The Lust of the Flesh. . . “Sensuality” The negative illicit desires that originate from fallen human nature that are pursued in ways that violate the commands of God.

“The Lust of the Eyes” The Lust of the Eyes. . . “Superficiality” The eyes become a “gateway” through which the flesh creates strong desires to acquire those things that are appealing but will result in disobedience to God.

“The Pride of Life” The Pride of Life . . . “Showmanship” Conceit. The arrogant dependence on one’s possessions or successes in a manner that fails to recognize God’s provision as source of all good things we acquire.