What does love look like?

Service Notes: Save-the-date: Greg Keelen’s Ordination on Wednesday, November 5th

Quick Review

10 Questions

Today’s question continues from the answer given last week.

Whose child are you? Is told by who do you want to be near, do you make war with sin, and do you love others.

Today: What Does Love Look Like?

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:11-24

Major Premise

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through us.

Opening Story – The Chocolate Box

When I was in 3rd grade, I bought a red, heart-shaped box of chocolates that said LOVE on top.

It was for a girl in my class—but I never gave it to her.

I hid it in my cubby because I was embarrassed.

At that age, I didn’t understand love—and truthfully, I’m still learning.

The world talks constantly about love, but its definitions are hollow.

The World Falsely Defines Love [slide]

Approval: “If you love me, agree with me.”

Emotion: “If I don’t feel it, it’s not real.”

Tolerance: “Love never says anyone is wrong.”

Performance: “You earn love by being enough.” ‌

Conditional: “I’ll love you if you love me.”

God Redefines It in Christ [slide]

Truth: Jesus shows love is not blind approval

Conviction: Jesus loved us while we were yet sinners

Correction: Jesus forgives and calls to holiness.

Grace: In Jesus love is underserved grace.

Initiative: Jesus loved us first, even when we had nothing to offer.

We need Jesus to show us what real love looks like.

Jesus and the Family of Lazarus

John 11:5 “5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” [slide]

John doesn’t frame this story as a tragedy; he introduces it as a love story.

Jesus loved this family — they had eaten together, laughed together, prayed together.

But when Lazarus got sick, that love was tested in a way no one expected.

Mary and Martha sent word: “Lord, the one You love is sick.”

Though they didn’t understand all that Jesus would, they expected love would create action.

Jesus can never be rightly accused of not being loving.

He walks toward those in need.

He saw their pain and entered it — He wept with them.

He went out of His way to help a friend.

Love doesn’t just stand back and analyze; it steps in and listens (John 11:7–8).

Jesus teaches about time.

“Are there not twelve hours in the day?” (John 11:9)

Use the time God gives you fully and wisely.

Time management for believers isn’t about doing more — it’s about walking in God’s timing and light.

Jesus weeps.

Though He knew the end of the story — He still wept.

Though His theology was perfect — He still felt deeply.

He groaned and was troubled.

Don’t let knowledge harden you. True theology deepens compassion.

Jesus moves deliberately for God’s glory and our good.

His delay wasn’t neglect but purpose (John 11:6).

By waiting, He made it clear Lazarus was truly dead (John 11:4).

His timing strengthened the disciples’ faith (John 11:15).

Unlike Jesus, we don’t know the Father’s full plan — but like Jesus, we can seek God’s guidance for how and when to act.

Jesus makes the invisible God visible.

Many believed after seeing what He did (John 11:45).

They realized: God is real, and we are seeing Him at work right now.

We can’t call Lazarus from the grave — but we can make God’s love visible in this world.

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through us.

Let me encourage you to make a list of times when, through someone’s expression of love, God became visible to you.

Sermon Introduction

1. Love looks like reflecting God’s image.

1 John 3:11–12 (KJV)

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

A. Love is God’s original design.

“From the beginning” points to God’s nature, not human invention. (v.11)

Love did not begin in Eden; it began in eternity past, within the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Before creation, the Father loved the Son (John 17:24) and the Spirit bore witness to that love.

So love has always been God’s command—it reveals who He is.

God is love. 1 John 4:8 “8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

When John calls us back to love, he’s not introducing a new ethic; he’s calling us back to the original order of creation — to love as God loves.

Our discussion about this world is fundamentally a discussion about love.

Creation: Love is embedded in the image of God within humanity.

Fall: Sin corrupted love into self-centeredness.

Redemption: Through Christ, God restores us to true love.

Sanctification: The Spirit reproduces that love in us, proving His indwelling presence.

B. Cain shows what happens when love is absent.

Cain’s worship revealed his heart.

Abel offered by faith and was accepted, but Cain’s sacrifice lacked faith and was rejected (Heb. 11:4).

God graciously warned him: “Sin lieth at the door” (Gen. 4:7).

Cain’s pride (self-love) rejected correction.

He could have repented, but hardened his heart.

Pride turned conviction into resentment.

When pride takes the place of love, people stop being brothers and start becoming rivals.

C. The same battle that lived in Cain still lives in us.

These are the everyday tests that reveal whether pride will rule our hearts like Cain, or whether Christ’s love will.

Success and comparison test love.

When others are praised, jealousy whispers, “That should’ve been you.”

Cain’s test came when God accepted Abel’s offering, not his.

Jealousy says, “That should’ve been me.” Love says, “I’m glad for you.”

Correction and conflict test love.

Cain rejected God’s warning and turned conviction into resentment.

We too resist correction when pride keeps us from repentance.

When a spouse, boss, or pastor points out something in us, pride argues back. Love listens, learns, and changes.

Every disagreement is an opportunity to prove pride or display love.

Interruption and change test love.

Cain rebelled when God altered his plan.

When your plans are disrupted — traffic, sick kids, last-minute changes — pride demands control.

Every interruption is a chance to show that love is patient and obedience matters more than our plans.

The battle hasn’t changed—whether in a field or in our daily lives, the question is still: will pride lead us to resentment, or will humility lead us to love?

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in our obedience to His original design.

Practical Step: Treat someone this week as more than a problem to fix — see them as a person like you who has been made in God’s image.

2. Love looks like evidence of new life in us.

1 John 3:13–15 (KJV)

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

A. Expect resistance from the world.

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” (v.13)

Genuine love exposes selfishness.

Don’t be surprised—darkness resists light.

B. Love is evidence of new life.

Acting in a loving way doesn’t earn salvation but does it demonstrate you have been changed by God’s love. (v.14)

Where God’s life is real, love grows naturally.

The presence of love is the mark of spiritual resurrection.

Stephen’s last prayer for his murderers (lay this not upon their account) showed that only resurrection life in Christ could make love flow where hatred was throwing stones—spiritaully speakng it was dead men stoning a living man. That is how love works (Acts 7:54–60).

C. Hatred equals spiritual death.

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.” (v.15)Hatred begins in the heart long before it shows in the hands.

To hate is to declare someone unworthy of love, but in doing so we cut ourselves off from the life of God.

John’s language is blunt: hatred is not a “small sin” — it is spiritual murder.

If you are harboring hatred, you are carrying death inside you

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in a life that’s passed from death to life.

Practical Step: Do one act of love that makes no sense apart from Christ — forgive someone, pray for someone who hurt you, or choose humility where pride tempts you.

3. Love looks like sacrifice that meets real needs.

As Christians, our expression of love must go beyond a “Care Bear Stare.” It’s not just about showing warmth it’s about sacrificial action that reflects Christ’s love.

1 John 3:16–18 (KJV)

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

A. The cross defines love.

Jesus’ love was sacrificial, not sentimental. (v.16)

Love chooses the good of others at personal cost.

Christ didn’t just say love—He showed it.

B. Love responds to need.

“Whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need…” (v.17)

Seeing need without helping shows love has shut down.

Love always moves toward need, not away from it.

C. Love acts in truth.

“Let us not love in word… but in deed and in truth.” (v.18)

Words don’t prove love—actions do.

Words alone can disguise a loveless heart. Promises and sentiments without action are empty.

Jesus and Peter (John 21): Peter said, “Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.” Words of love were tested by deeds of service.

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in costly action that serves and supplies.

Practical Step: Identify one tangible need around you (in church, family, or community) and meet it this week — even if it costs you time, money, or comfort.

4. Love looks like confidence before God.

1 John 3:19–22 (KJV)

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

A. Love brings assurance.

“Hereby we know that we are of the truth.” (v.19)

When our heart condemns us, God is greater. (v.20)

Simply: When we live in love, we can see evidence that we really belong to God.

B. Love gives confidence in prayer.

“If our heart condemn us not, we have confidence toward God.” (v.21)

When our heart is clear, we can come to God boldly. A loving life makes prayer unhindered and free.

We can come to Him boldly, knowing our hearts are clear.

Yes, being unloving hinders our prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 “7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

C. Love aligns our desires with God’s will.

“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him…” (v.22)

When we live in love, our desires match God’s purposes. That’s why He promises to answer prayers that flow out of a loving, obedient heart

Confidence comes when our will reflects His.

Love brings clarity to the Christian life — it quiets our doubts, assures our hearts, and reminds us that we truly belong to God.

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in assurance of heart and bold prayer.

Practical Step: Before you pray, ask: “Is there anyone I need to reconcile with?” Then take one step toward clearing your heart so you can pray with confidence.

5. Love makes the unseen God visible.

1 John 3:23–24 (KJV)

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

A. Faith and love are one command.

“This is His commandment: believe in Jesus Christ and love one another.” (v.23)

Faith connects us to Christ; love expresses Christ through us.

You can’t separate believing from behaving.

Simply. Unloving people, are unbelieving people.

B. Love reveals God’s presence.

“He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him.” (v.24)

The Spirit in us makes God’s love visible through us.

Love is the evidence that God abides in His people. John 13:35 “35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

C. Love is our living testimony.

People can’t see God’s Spirit, but they can see His love through His people.

Every act of grace and forgiveness is a glimpse of God’

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through us.

Practical Step: Do something for others with the prayer that someone would catch a glimpse of the love God through you.

Closing

Before we leave today let me give you the clearest picture of love by looking at Jesus.

Love looks like Jesus—leaving heaven to walk among sinners.

Love looks like Jesus—coming not because we were lovable, but because we were lost.

Love looks like Jesus—living the sinless life you could not, speaking truth, and laying down His life on a cross.

Love looks like Jesus—taking our sin, bearing our punishment, and rising again to give us life.

Love looks like Jesus—sending us out, just as the Father sent Him, to carry His love into the world.

That love has been passed from one believer to another—until it reached you today. 1. God loves you. 2. He proved it on the cross, and He invites you to receive it today.

When you see what Christ has done, you see the love of God for you.

Call to Response

When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through us.

1. Love looks like reflecting God’s image. When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in our obedience to His original design. Question: Are you loving others in a way that reflects the God who made you?

2. Love looks like evidence of new life in us. When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in a life that’s been changed by His grace. Question: Does your love for others reveal that you’ve truly passed from death to life?

3. Love looks like sacrifice that meets real needs. When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through hands that serve and hearts that give. Question: Who could experience God’s love through your sacrifice this week?

4. Love looks like confidence before God. When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen in hearts assured and prayers made bold. Question: Is your love for others giving you confidence or conviction before God?

5. Love looks like making the unseen God visible. When we love as Christ loved, the unseen God becomes seen through the everyday actions of His people. Question: Will someone see what God is like because of the way you love this week?