1. Bellaire church of Christ August 26, 2012 Love Illustrated

2. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brothers were righteous. Jesus said something very similar, If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

3. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING John now takes a sudden turn in his argument. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. (v.15)

4. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING Again, Jesus said something very similar, You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, Raca, (a term of contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, You fool! will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

5. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING An Encouragement On the other hand, John continues, We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. [v. 14]

6. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (v.16)

7. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE As we look at Jesus life we can see several characteristics of his love, It was without discrimination. It was offered freely. It was filled with compassion. It was enduring (it didnt give up when we failed). It was sacrificial. It was transforming.

8. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE TAKE HOME APPLICATIONS Look at 3:17-18, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. [3:17-18]

9. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE A WARNING THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE TAKE HOME APPLICATIONS Notice several things in Johns instruction. Love involves giving what we have received. Love involves empathy. Love requires action.

10. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 TAKE HOME APPLICATIONS It means: Being a friend to the one who has failed Helping a person who has a need Being strong for one who is weak Listening to the one who needs to talk Being patient with one who is confused Being involved with the one who is rejected

11. How is Love Illustrated? 1 John 3:11-18 TAKE HOME APPLICATIONS It means: Being kind to the one who is angry It means stepping out of our comfortable world into the world of the hurting. It means spotlighting strengths rather than weaknesses Building a bridge to one who has not yet obeyed the gospel.