Love in Action

What would they see?

(Illustration/Or personal story)

If someone followed you around this past week—sat beside you, rode with you in the car, scrolled your phone with you, watched how you spoke to your family — would they be able to tell who or what you truly love? (Pause) Not by what you posted. Not by what you said on Sunday. But by what you actually did Monday through Saturday.

Because in scripture, love is not primarily something you say or feel, it is something you do, it is a verb!

(Transition) Today, in our passages John and James both challenge us, confront us with the same truth, love that doesn’t act isn’t love at all.

Love proven in Sacrifice

The world says love is measured by how someone makes you feel. Scripture says love is measured by what someone is willing to give up.

1 John 3:16 “16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Love is defined by the Cross.

Biblical love is not self-defined ; it is Christ-defined

Romans 5:8 “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - - - love demonstrated!

John 15:13 “13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” - - - no greater love

(Transition) If love begins with sacrifice, then it must continue with action. The cross shows us what love looks like at its highest point. But John, James and Paul remind us — if that love is real, it must show up at ground level.

Love Expressed in Deeds

1 John 3:17–18 “17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Or as James says

James 2:15–17 “15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

Words without actions are empty

James calls it dead faith

Saying “I care” without helping is spiritual inconsistency.

(Bridge picture inserted Here) Think of it like this, there is bridge, I tell you it can hold my weight, but I refuse to step onto it, do I really believe it? James says faith that never moves is faith that never lives.

Love moves toward need

Love notices: If anyone sees his brother in need. . .

Love responds: It does something

Galatians 6:10 “10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

Illustrative Line: “Love that stays theoretical never changes lives.”

Love Prioritizes Others’ Needs

1 John 3:17 “17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Love requires open eyes and open hearts

One who closes his heart = intentional refusal

He does not describe ignorance, he describes refusal. The need is seen, and the heart is closed.

Sometimes we do not close our hearts out of cruelty —but out of convenience,

Love begins with awareness and compassion

Matthew 9:36 “36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” - - Jesus saw and felt compassion

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Love puts people before comfort

As noted in Php2:4, love looks out for the interest of others.

Biblical love shifts the question from “what do I want?” to “what do they need?

Jesus washed feet before going to the cross (Jn13)

Before there was a crown of thorns, there was a towel. A towel of love, a towel of compassion, a towel of mercy, a towel of service, a towel of sacrifice.

Applications

(insert the Application PowerPoint here)

Look - Ask God to open your eyes this week to a need you might normally overlook.

Act -Do not wait for the perfect moment - love acts while there is opportunity.

Sacrifice - If it costs you nothing, it probably isn’t love yet.

Major Takeaway: Love is not proven by what we feel or say — but by what we willingly give and do for others.

Conclusion:

“What would they see?”

Jesus did not just tell us He loved us —He showed us. John calls us to follow that example. James reminds us that faith without action is dead. And the world is watching—not to hear what we say about love, but to see if it shows up in our lives.