Love in the Family of God

I. Love Begins with Jesus

A. Jesus is the Source of Love

Love is of God!

1 John 4:7 NKJV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

We love because He loved us.

1 John 4:19 NKJV

19 We love Him because He first loved us.

B. Jesus Demonstrates Perfect Love

His love is sacrificial

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

His love is unconditional

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

C. Family Love Must Start with Receiving His Love

You cannot give what you have not received. 

A Christ‑centered family is a love‑filled family.

II. Love Flows Into Us

A. God Fills Believers With His Love

Romans 5:5 NKJV

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

God pours His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit

Love isn’t something we manufacture; it is something God deposits in us.

Love is received - not achieved!

B. Love is the Mark of Christ in us

John 13:35 NKJV

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

Love is the visible evidence to the world of His transformation in our lives.

C. The Heart Transformation Affects How We Treat Family

We become more patient

1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

We become more forgiving

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

We become more gracious in conflict

Colossians 3:12–14 NKJV

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

III. Love Flows From Us Into Our Family

A. Love Must First Be Expressed In the Home

• The home is the first place our faith should be lived out. 

• If our Christianity works at home, it will work anywhere.

B. Love One Another - Starting with Family

1 John 4:20 NKJV

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

This includes our biological and spiritual family!

There is a great litmus test for this. If you find that it is difficult to love your family, it may be that you have not received love from Jesus

1 Peter 2:17 NKJV

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

C. Love Builds and Protects the Family

• Love heals old wounds. 

• Love creates security for children. 

• Love binds marriages together. 

• Love prevents bitterness and division.

IV. How Love Practically Flows Through Us Into the Family

Graphic

A. Through Our Words

Speak Life

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Be Slow to Anger and Quick to Listen

James 1:19 NKJV

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

B. Though Our Actions

Serve One Another

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Bear On Another’s Burdens

Galatians 6:2 NKJV

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

C. Through Forgiveness

Forgive as Christ forgave you

Colossians 3:13 NKJV

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Families thrive when forgiveness is normal, not rare.