The tests of love

Mark 10:21 “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””

What is love?

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

John 12:43 “for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

Its not a feeling, it produces all sorts of feelings though.

To esteem something, set priority on it

Its real. “I want what is best for you.”

Not for what it can do for you, but for what it is.

Jesus taught us that humanity is the object of such love.

No matter what you can perform, you matter to Jesus.

If sin causes such to be lost (death penalty, hell), what does that say of sin?

The one who loves his brother abides in light (2.7-11).

From the beginning of the gospel and the Bible (7):

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

It is new in a real sense, the light of the gospel breaking forth (8).

(don’t listen to the world) People can really change - do not grow cynical.

The kingdom is advancing.

There are many in the world changing, doing great things (would tell my kids this about spouses).

If you hate your brother you have no place in this kingdom of Light (9-11).

Kingdom people do everything to promote rather than deter kingdom progress.

Stumbling - skandalon - that which causes another to stumble in faith

Our dress, our words, our attitudes, our implications, etc

One who does not seek the best for brothers, is blinded by sin, can’t hear God’s lessons and doesn’t know he is lost.

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Love of brother is a non-negotiable part of the faith.

Matthew 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Like free speech, it only matters when its speech we would want to ban.

Love matters when it is aimed at those we would want to hate.

Loved ones, don’t “think/rationalize” at this point.

Darkness blinds.

Stop weighing who is worthy of your love. Stop protecting yourself.

Simply love. Simply hear the voice of God’s Spirit and love.

A promise I make and attempt to live by, if I have not spoken to you, there is no issue between us. If I have doubt I go to the person immediately.

Brotherly love produces assurance of passing from death to life (3.10b-20).

Example, Cain and Abel (3.11-12)

Those who love God love his people. Those who do not, hate them (3.13).

And yes, you will find weeds in the church who do not love.

Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

If we love the brothers, we know that we have passed over death into life (3.14).

Hate ----> Murder (3.15)

Its always the heart. You can take someone’s life without sinning. It depends on the heart.

If I love God, that means you are immortals, his daughter, his son, his mother, brother, sister (Matthew 12.50).

How I treat and speak of my wife, I speak of a daughter of God.

How I treat you, I am treating his son, his daughter.

Matthew 5.21-24 (Mt.5.20)

Show this love in practical ways (3.16-18).

And don’t judge each other in this.

Acts 6:1–4 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.””

If you minister in food, clothing, cards, calls, visits, preaching, public outreach, encouragement, tech, interior design - do it with everything you have for the King.

Every member is critical.

Show support for those who are committed to their work.

Believe all things and hope for the best until forced to do otherwise. This is love.

Your heart will condemn you, but God does not (3.19-20).

Conclusion

For this week:

Is there someone in this room that you speak against, hold some negative in your heart toward?

If it is you, be done with it. Pray forgiveness.

If you need to speak to them, do it. With greatest respect.

God will only bless this work when we love one another like this.

Let’s make this vow:

I promise, if I have not spoken to you, there is no issue between us. If I have doubt or an issue, I will go to you immediately. I will leave my worship at the altar and pull you aside. You will never hear that I have spoken to harm you, and you will never have to question whether I harbor anger toward you.

[And the church says - “Amen”]

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Know this as Christians:

Its all Jesus. He is changing us.

He knows your heart and sees your efforts.

Even when you feel lost, you are not, if you keep getting back up and chasing him.

That heart to chase him in love and truth, is the evidence of your salvation.