1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. The Love of the Elect Colossians 3:14
Radical - fundamental or extreme change
The radical change in a Christian:
Change of kingdoms (Col. 1:13)
Change of attitude & behavior (Col. 1:21-22)
Made alive from the dead (Col. 2:13)

3. The Love of the Elect Colossians 3:14
The “old man” is dead, so cease living according to the desires of the flesh, lusts of the mind and pride
Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord & identifying with Him - which removes prejudices

4. The Love of the Elect Colossians 3:14
As the elect of God, we put on the Christian virtues to reflect righteous in daily life
Colossians 3:12-17

5. Christian Love Colossians 3:14
Putting on Love –
The verb is supplied from verse 12.
We put on love like a garment & it identifies us

6. The Superiority of Love
It is “beyond” or “above” the other virtues
The virtues of a Christian are to extend to all people, not just those they like
Love is the “perfect bond of unity” - it holds the virtues together to produce maturity

7. The Superiority of Love
Love is the first of the gifts of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
Without the love, the gifts of the Spirit are exercises in futility - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Love is the motivation for obedience to the Lord - John 14:15

8. The Superiority of Love
Love is the greatest commandment –
Matthew 22:37-39
James 2:8
Romans 13:10

9. The Nature of Love
The English word “love” has a wide variety of meanings.
The Greeks had several words to describe different types of love - Eros: Marital love.

10. The Nature of Love
Storge: Family love
Phileo: Love between friends
God’s love for us is ajgavph / agapê - a cognitive and sacrificial love of choice

11. The Love Colossians 3:14
This is ajgavph / agapê love comes in response to God’s love
This love for one another demonstrates we are disciples of Jesus John 13:34-35
This is a “new” commandment to love because Jesus’ example becomes the standard for it

12. The Breadth of Love
Matthew 5:46 - People normally love those who love them, their friends
Jesus loved even those that hated Him
Romans 5:8
1 Peter 3:18
1 John 3:16
Luke 23:34

13. The Breadth of Love
Jesus’ love extends to the unlovely, the downtrodden, the weak, the despised - 1 Cor. 1:26-28
Christians are to have the same breadth of love - Matthew 5:44-45

14. The Depth of Love
Humans are innately selfish resulting in shallow commitment and disposable friends
Jesus sacrificed the glories of heaven & His life - Philippians 2:5-9, John 15:13
Believers are to have the same depth of love

15. The Length of Love
Human love varies greatly in how long it will last
Jesus continues to love & through the Holy Spirit He does not leave or forsake (Heb. 13:5; John 14:16; 16:7)
We are to be as committed as Jesus to one another - Hebrews 10:24-25

16. The Length of Love
True love takes a commitment that often requires you to do things you like to do for the benefit of others
Good parents sacrificially love their children
Never let a relationship end because of your lack of love – let it be their refusal to receive your love

17. The Length of Love
Love requires we deal properly with the faults and failures of others –
patient & forbearing
forgiving

18. Conclusions
How are you doing at loving others?
Where do you lack?
What do you need to do to change things?
When will you make those changes?

19. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ