Care for the Body

I. Deuteronomy 21:1-9

> Purpose (v8): So that God would not charge the nation for the sin of one.

> Principle: God gave the command because he cared about the health of the whole nation.

**Another place we see the same principle

II. Acts 5:1-11

Acts 5:11

> Purpose (v11): God judged the one so that the health of the whole would be spared.

> Principle: God cares about the health of the whole.

** Another place where we see this principle

III. 1 Cor 12:19-26

> v25: We should all have the same care for one another.

> Principle (26): The poor health of one effects the health of the whole body.

How do we have this care? Love.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

IV. What is Love?

A. What love is not: Action (1 Cor 13:3)

B. What love is

1. Love is of God (1 John 4:7)

2. An aspect of God (1 John 4:8; 4:16)

“God is love”

3. A Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)

C. What Love does

1. God’s Love gives (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9)

2. Our Love (when we’ve received it) gives (1 John 3:16)

We should care about others more than ourselves

Their spiritual health more than ours

3. Our Love (when we’ve received it) does (1 John 3:18)

D. Love defined

An attribute of God that He shares with us which enables us care for, sacrifice, and putting others’ needs before our own.

VI.How to Receive Love

1. Admit you don’t have it

2. Realize God has it and is willing to share it with you.

He commanded it.

3. Be willing to sacrifice and care in order to receive love.

Application

1. Do you care for others like you care for yourself?

2. Are you willing to receive love?

Not God’s love for you

God’s love for others

Results in sacrifice. Surrender to sacrifice.

2. Prayer for others

How much do you pray for others compared to yourself?