Known By Love

February 23, 2025 FBC Baxley

am service

Walk thru Bible March 2… Emir Caner–March 16… –Pray for Justin & Mattie Young

Welcome radio and online guests…

** I want you to know, GOD LOVES YOU!

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will, way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, Some Saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “Known by Love”

Scripture Passage:  John  13:33-35

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 

34 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. 

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

-Pray

Three Points:

Love is a Commanded Love vv 34a

2.  Love is a Characteristic Love vv 35a

3. Love is a Confirming Love vv 35b

Introduction: 

A Love Story in Action

In 2023, a heartwarming story made headlines: 

A young man, James, donated a kidney to a complete stranger, an elderly woman named Sarah. 

When asked why, James simply said, "Love isn’t just what you say; it’s what you do." 

His selfless act changed Sarah’s life and inspired thousands.

Jesus, on the night of His betrayal, 

gave His disciples a new commandment—not just to love, but to love in such a way that the world would recognize them as His followers.

John 13:34-35 (ESV) – "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."

Here are three characteristics of the love Jesus commands us to demonstrate or be Known by.

I. Love is a Commanded Love (John 13:34a)

"A new commandment I give to you..."

“That you love one another…”

Love is not optional – It’s not based on feelings, convenience, or preferences. 

It’s a divine directive.

Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus affirms love as the greatest commandment.

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 John 4:7 – Love is evidence of being born of God.

-Love is Christlike – Jesus set the standard: "as I have loved you."

7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

His love was sacrificial (John 15:13), 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

-selfless (Philippians 2:5-8), 

5“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

-steadfast (Romans 8:38-39).

38 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 

39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

-Love is continuous – The Greek verb agapate (ἀγαπᾶτε) in John 13:34 indicates ongoing action—love must be an unceasing practice.

Song (One Thing Remains”: His Love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me…”

II. Love is a Characteristic Love (John 13:35a)

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples..."

Love identifies us – The defining mark of a Christian is not knowledge, miracles, or zeal, but love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Without love, even great spiritual gifts are meaningless.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Galatians 5:22 – Love is the first fruit of the Spirit.

Love distinguishes us – The world should recognize believers not by our titles but by our testimonies of love.

Early Christians were known for caring for the sick and poor—even their enemies!

Tertullian (2nd-century historian) recorded that pagans said, “See how they love one another!”

**Love draws others – Love is evangelistic.

—And we ask, what will draw people to church or to Jesus……Come on….we know! (and satan has us scurrying to find a trend…..huh… 

—it’s not what their in to…, it’s not what’s popular, it’s not the next hit song, Jesus put in their DNA a need that only Love can provide, and it’s in their DNA to seek a Savior!

** It’s high time we stuck to and did what Jesus did best!!! LOVE!!!

John 12:32 – Jesus said, "If I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself."

Loving others the way Jesus did makes the gospel attractive. (tonight)

III. Love is a Confirming Love (John 13:35b)

"...if you have love for one another."

Love proves discipleship – Loving others is evidence that we belong to Christ.

1 John 3:14 – "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers."

Love produces unity – The church should reflect Christ’s love through harmony and selflessness.

Philippians 2:2-4 – Be of one mind, putting others first.

2 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Psalm 133:1 – "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

Love promotes service – Genuine love moves us to action.

Galatians 6:10 – "As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Love is not just emotional—it is expressed in sacrifice, service, and selflessness.

Conclusion: 

Living Out Love

How can we apply this message? 

–Here are three real-life ways:

-Forgive Freely – Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Love requires letting go of past hurts (Ephesians 4:32).

-Serve Sacrificially – Look for ways to meet the needs of others, whether through time, resources, or encouragement (Mark 10:45).

–Love Loudly – Let your love be visible. A simple act of kindness—helping a neighbor, encouraging a co-worker—can showcase Christ’s love (Matthew 5:16).

When people see our love, they see Christ. 

May we be known not by our words, not by our buildings, but by our love.

-Pray

-Invitation