Essential: Love One Another

Around 25 times in NT we are commanded to love one another.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (MSG)

4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, 5 Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, 6 Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 8 Love never dies.

(1 Cor 13…chapter right in the middle of discourse on Spiritual Gifts, which sole purpose is loving God’s family)

1 John 3:11–13(NLT) — 11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

Cain + Abel

Genesis 4:1–5 (NLT) — 1 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

both brought offerings to the Lord, one found God’s attention/presence in their life, the other did not.

one brought the FIRST the other brought some.

Jealousy, envy, bitterness caused rebellion in Cain’s life. Sin (missing mark of relationship with God) was crouching at the door of cain’s life and led him to murder. When we dont get what we think we deserve (entitlement), take it on our own terms.

Jealousy, envy, greed, & hatred grow from the same root system poisoned by the evil spiritual being Jesus called “Mammon”.

evil spiritual beings, whisper into our mind and hearts, lies that we believe and create a reality of life around.

tithing is a spiritual protest to the greed that has been formed in all of us because we are born in this world system.

1 John3.14-17 —14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord.

“generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord; who love Him with free hearts and serve Him with renewed minds.”

illus: Generosity Liturgy

it’s an act of love for others.

Christian Compassion is first and foremost to God through His People.

illus: examples of generosity/benevolence at FC…did you know we have a food pantry at FC? It’s called The Beacon.

take people to coffee

invite others to sit with you instead of giving the silent stare saying “seats taken”

be generous with your encouragement

1 John 3.18-22 — 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

Truth + Action = Faith

faith is evidence…evidence must be seen.

FAITH is action, embodying a truth we have accepted.

without action, you haven’t yet fully accepted truth.

seeing the evidence of our relationship with God, gives us confidence before God.

Lack of confidence most comes from lack of obedience.

1 John3.23-24 — 23 And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

Love for God is righteous living through Holy Spirit.

from here on out, John will not talk about righteousness but instead love. Love is righteousness visible.

obedience is “keeping” commands.

obedience and love are two sides of the same coin of allegiance.

How can we tell we have received the spirit?

Fruit ( Galatians 5:22-3)

Gifts ( 1 Corinthians 12.4-11)

Language (1 Corinthians 14:1-5,14-21, Acts 19:1-5)

Leading (Romans 8 .14, John 14.15-17)

Love for God

Romans 5:5 NLT

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

If you want to grow in love toward others, cultivate your love for God through expressions of love toward God.

I don’t give because I love Faith Church, I give because I love God.

I don’t pray for people because I’m a pastor… i pray for people because i love God and He loves people.

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PRACTICING THE WAY

As disciples of Jesus, we know our allegiance to Him as King is expressed in our daily practice. We are not pursuing perfection but want to practice our faith each day. These practices will point you toward spiritual formation as an apprentice (disciple) to Jesus.

(1) Start the Bible Recap reading plan.

(2) Recite this prayer/liturgy daily:

Holy Father, there is nothing i have that you have not given me. All i have and am belong to you, bought with the blood of Jesus. To spend everything on myself, and to give without sacrifice, is the way of the world that You cannot abide. But generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord; who love Him with free hearts and serve Him with renewed minds. Who withstand the delusion of riches that chokes the word; Whose hearts are in your kingdom and not in the system of the world. I am determined to increase in generosity until it can be said that there is no needy person among us. I am determined to be trustworthy with such a little thing as money that You may trust me with true riches. Above all, I am determined to be generous because You, Father, are generous. It is the delight of Your daughters and sons to share Your traits, and to show what You are like to all the world. Amen.

(3) Talk it Over (with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

Read 1 John 3:11-24.‌ Sunday’s message was about loving God through loving the family of God. What was one key take-away for you from the message or this passage?

Jealousy, envy, greed, & hatred grow from the same root system poisoned by the evil spiritual being Jesus called “Mammon”. Generosity is the best way to pull those weeds from our soul, as it’s an act of spiritual protest to the greed that has been formed in all of us. Generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord. What are some ways we can be generous and compassionate to God’s people?

There are several indicators we have recieved the Holy Spirit in our lives. Read the following Scriptures and discuss the evidence of the Spirit in our lives: Galatians 5:22-3, 1 Corinthians 12.4-11, 1 Corinthians 14:1-5,14-21, Acts 19:1-5, Romans 8 .14, John 14.15-17

If you want to grow in love toward others, cultivate your love for God through expressions of love toward God. What are some proper expressions of love toward God?

Recite the Generosity Liturgy (above) together as a group.