Loving One Another: The clearest characteristic of the Believer
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Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:11–18
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Look with me at how last week’s sermon ended;
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
You might recall that last week we discussed briefly how that almost seemed like a subject change, yet this week, it is explained. The message from last week could be summed up with this statement;
The distinguishing mark of the genuine believer is love for God and one another.
Last week’s emphasis was on loving God as seen through faithful living.
This week’s message explains what love for one another is.
so, in light of vs. 10...
Exposition 1
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.
Heard from the beginning?
John 13:34, Jesus commands to love one another
hearkens back to OT command to love neighbors
All or brothers?
Different yet similar
I. Christians must love one another (11-12)
I. Christians must love one another (11-12)
We will adress what this looks like in our third point but for now let’s make 2 observations from the text...
Cain’s murder of Abel is held up as an example of the opposite of this love.
Able was seen as righteous yet his righteousness spurred hatred.
Principle of the world: Those who are wicked will hate God’s people
This principle makes it especially important that we “stick together”
EX. Blood is thicker than water
Exposition 2
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever 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.
II. Expect hate (opposition) from those who are not believers (13-15)
II. Expect hate (opposition) from those who are not believers (13-15)
III. If a Christian fails to love, he is no Christian (13-15)
III. If a Christian fails to love, he is no Christian (13-15)
Exposition 3
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
What does it mean to love one another?
IV. Loving one another involves personal sacrifice (16-18)
IV. Loving one another involves personal sacrifice (16-18)
Conclusion