Studies In Christianity

Christian Love #10 How We Love One Another

For some time we have been examining the DNA of Christianity.

John 13: 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another

Saved people love each other. I John 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love

The lesson plan : 1. Establish the context of the text 2. Show our abilities are used for love 3. Look at some characteristics of loving

I. The context of this text

Therefore = because of before Because of love, mercy & grace Recognizing ourselves as parts

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?

partial list of abilities to be used to communicate love. II. The Lord’s Apostle gives a partial list of abilities to be used to communicate love.

Everyone can and should serve Compare … John 13 Galatians 5: 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Teaching is done in many ways. Titus 2: 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. ( not done in a classroom )

To exhort is “to call to” and would be better translated as “encourage.” Hebrews 10: 23 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ( ESV )

Giving is a double blessing, first one is blessed to be able to give and secondly willingness is a gift. Acts 4: 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

Leadership is a special and essential skill. Matthew 9: 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

One who is sincerely happy to be able to show mercy is of a good character. Negative example : Exodus 20: 10 Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?

a few examples of the characteristics of loving the brethren. III. The Apostle now lists a few examples of the characteristics of loving the brethren.

Love between brethren must NOT be hypocritical – but be sincere. I Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, ( philadelphia ) fervently love ( agapaō ) one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again

Hold the brethren as special Vs. 10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love Vs. 10b – give preference to one another in honor;

Loving the brethren is fueled by diligence and made urgent by the spirit for the purpose of serving the Lord to His benefit.

Loving the brethren must be diligent Philippians 2: 13 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Fervent love must burn within us. Jer. 20: 9 Matthew 24: 12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

We love each other to serve God. -We can only succeed as a unit -We volunteered to be His servants -Our eternal destiny depends on our being faithful to our commitment.

of the saint, of the holy ones, of the brethren Vs.13 All Christians contribute to the needs of the saint, of the holy ones, of the brethren I John 3: 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Galatians 6: 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Practicing hospitality is loving strangers Hebrews 13: 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Matthew 25: 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'

IV. What have we learned ?

A – Christians sincerely love each other in very practical ways. B – We must apply ourselves to developing the bond between brethren.

Are you in God’s family circle ? He will adopt you if you will commit yourself to Him !

Remember : He die for you. He rose from the tomb. He is coming again for you.

Everyone on earth is either a missionary or a mission field. Which are you ?