1.  Luke 13:34 (NLT) 34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.  2 Corinthians 5:14 (NASB) 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

2.  1 John 3:11-15 (NASB) 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

3.  1 John 3:16-18 (NASB) 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

4.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Message”: v11 “the message which you have heard…that we should love one another”  A new awareness…

5.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Possibility”!  Passing from Death to Life 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:12 The DEATH of HATRED… 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.

6.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Possibility”!  Passing from Death to Life  A New Direction: ▪ Love is naturally distorted: we love ourselves!  Loving those who don’t love us! ▪ The change in John’s life… Matthew 5:46 (NASB) 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 1 John 3:13 (NASB) 13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. Loving the unlovely, ungrateful, unqualified, the Difficult… Enemies are people too!

7.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Possibility”!  Starting with the Brethren… 1 John 3:14 (NASB) 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 1 John 3:15 (NASB) 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. John 13:34 (NASB) 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.

8.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Possibility”!  Starting with the Brethren…  The Essential Labor of Love: v16  HE: laid down  WE: laying down… 1 John 3:16 (NASB) 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

9.  The Origin: v.11 at Conversion  A “New Possibility”!  Starting with the Brethren…  The Essential Labor of Love: v16  The Proof of Love  Addressing all their needs: physical, emotional, spiritual…  Barriers of Isolation: Phony Christianity! 1 John 3:18 (NASB) 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

10.  So fragile! So rigid! So wrong!  The “Great Comission” – not a “command”  It’s a new lease on life  Hebrews 13:1 (NASB) 1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.  “Is there any life there?”  Then let it show!  Who? How? Where? What? …

11.  We Need Confidence! ◦ A Confidence of the HEART! ◦ Involves “Perfecting…Love” 1 John 3:21 (NASB) 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 1 John 4:17 (NASB) 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

12.  We Need Confidence! ◦ A Confidence of the HEART! ◦ Involves “Perfecting…Love” ◦ Not just “Hanging Out” or “Bringing Snacks” ◦ Love builds significance “I can be confident that I as an individual can love others meaningfully, that means I’m worthwhile…” If I love others, the Bible tells me, then I will feel loved. That’s the secret of the law of love. Any system not based on this is bound to have problems.” “I love others, and that’s what makes me feel good, and that’s how I survive in this world, why I get up in the morning and want to do something.”