1 John 2:7-14 A New Kind of Love
1 John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Prayer Ministry
God is moving at Hope Chapel
History of Prayer
Elders, Staff, Prayer Team
Need to Organize Corporate/Strategic Prayer for what we believe God has in store for Hope Chapel
In Fall Added: Women’s Prayer on Wed @ 10am
Now we’d like to introduce……
Mondays as a Day of Prayer and Fasting: With Specific Prayer Points (For those who are able-meet at Noon to pray corporately.)
Intercessory Prayer in the Studio Room on Sunday Mornings 20 min before 9am (Samuel)/11am (Sharon) services. Followed by Prayer at the Altars.
Scripture: Me
Intro:
We live in a culture obsessed with the new. New phone? Better. New car? Better. New diet? Better.
But what if the most transformative thing you could do this year isn't new at all—it's as old as creation and as fresh as this morning's grace?
John writes a lot about love
Love for God and love for others
He is known as the Apostle of love
Loving your neighbor equals walking in the light
Walking in the light means loving like Jesus—and every believer, at every stage of growth, is called to that love
We often claim spiritual progress while our relationships with fellow believers tell a different story. John refuses to allow this disconnect.
When we understand our identity in Christ at each stage of maturity, we are empowered to love authentically.
In a world of lonely people and divided churches, love is the ultimate apologetic.
John says your love (or lack of it) reveals whether you're walking in the light
Love is the proof of life.
You can say all the right things, believe all the right doctrines, and show up every Sunday—but if there's no love for your brothers and sisters in Christ, something is deeply wrong.
This morning we are going to see an old love that has new power
Our love has to be tested
And we are expected to love at every stage of maturity
Old but New vs. 7-8
Old but New vs. 7-8
This new kind of love is old but new
The love command isn't new—but Jesus made it fresh.
Love isn't trendy; it's timeless. But Jesus gave us a new standard and a new power.
The commandment to love is as old as the Law—and as new as the cross.
It's old because God's people have always been called to love their neighbors.
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's new because Jesus gave us a whole new standard: "as I have loved you."
And it's new because, since Pentecost, we have the Spirit within us, making it possible for us to love in ways we never could on our own.
The word for "new" in verse 8 is kainos, which means "new in quality" rather than "new in time" (neos).
The commandment is not new in chronology but in character—Jesus has infused it with fresh meaning and power.
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.
John is called the "Apostle of Love," but he wasn't always known for tenderness.
Jesus nicknamed him a "Son of Thunder."
Once, John wanted to call down fire from heaven on a village that rejected Jesus.
What changed him? Meeting the One who is Light—and learning the old-yet-new commandment.
Love has to be Tested vs. 9-11
Love has to be Tested vs. 9-11
This new kind of love needs to be tested
John takes our love beyond words and tests it
It’s easy to say we are loving or expect others to love their neighbors , but how does your love stand up to the litmus test?
Do you show your love to everyone?
It’s getting harder
Harder to love people who don’t think, speak, or look like us
Hate and light don't mix.
If you say you're in the light but treat a brother with coldness or contempt, you're fooling yourself.
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.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Growing in Love vs. 12-14
Growing in Love vs. 12-14
This New kind of Love needs to be a love that is growing
Disciplined exposition of verses 12-14 reveals a layered address to the church
Every stage of faith has its own joy and challenge.
New believers: you're forgiven!
Growing believers: stand strong, stay in the Word.
Mature believers: keep knowing Jesus.
New Believers
New Believers
Two things: forgiven and know the Father
Little children (teknia): The emphasis is on relationship—sins forgiven, the Father known
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Even as young believers you to love one another
You have been filled with Love by the Spirit
Emphasize showing over saying
Growing Believers
Growing Believers
victorious, strong, & word abides in you
Young men: The emphasis is on strength and victory—the word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the wicked one
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
This is a glorious stage
You are growing in your faith, have overcome some nagging temptations, are starting to emulate the life of Christ
The challenge is to keep growing
Don’t get caught up in smelling the roses and tip toeing thru the tulips
Let God use the strength in you to make a difference
Mature Believers
Mature Believers
deeply knowing God
Fathers: The emphasis is on depth—they have known Him who is from the beginning. No new commendation is needed; what more is there than to know Christ?
The challenge for mature believers is to love those who don’t meet your standards and at the same time to train and guide new believers in what is means to love
