True Christians Love their Neighbors

Intro:

AG:

TS: Jesus said that loving our neighbor as ourselves was the 2nd most important commandment and that along with Loving God with all we have, summarizes the Law and Prophets.

God wrote to us through the Apostle John the letter we call 1st John. The goal of first John is to describe evidence to us that we are born again. In many ways it is a book which describes the life of a believer.

*MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

In , John explains that loving one another is vital. This phrase highlights the habit of love displayed by those possessing the new nature. Macurthur says “Love is not an optional duty for someone claiming to be a Christian, but proof positive that one truly has been born again”(MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

First we see...

Marks of the Devil’s Children- hate

Murder- the ultimate expression of hatred

Cain and Abel

Abel offered an animal sacrifice while Cain offered produce.

God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s

Cain killed his brother in jealousy

1 John 3:12 ESV

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

God makes it clear that Cain was a child of the Devil

He killed Cain because

Abel’s deeds were righteous

Cain’s deeds were evil

The world hates and tries to tear down the righteous rather than repent

The life children of God live preaches the word and calls people to repentance

Children of the devil would rather kill than change.

God’s children have been killed around the world from Abel through today.

Hatred

all who hate their brothers are murderers

hate=murder

1 John 3:15 ESV

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Jesus had said it, now it is re-emphasized through John that hatred is the same as the sin of murder

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Children of the Devil are hate filled and motivated by it.

This is an oxymoron

Today, believers are are often accused of being hate filled intolerant bigots because we dare to share the truth of God’s love and call to repentance.

They act all nice and pretend to be all about love peace and harmony.

But you dare to step out of line with their dogma and the claws come out.

Over and over the the media reports where social media platforms have banned people and pages for “hate and intolerance”

They get intolerant to enforce tolerant.

However, many times they are more focused on banning Biblical morals.

They view their morals as superior and hate Biblical morals

3. Indifference towards others needs

1 John 3:17 ESV

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Children of the Devil are self focused

Their top priority is themself

Sadly, we see signs of that all the time.

families break apart all the time due to the selfishness of one partner

Some have even left relationships when their partner needs them most such as illness.

“I didn’t sign up for this” is the cry

Sure, the world acts like they care.

They campaign on it

Post about it.

Protest about it.

But often, they don’t get their hands dirty

They call out for someone to do something

Yet they don’t do anything themselves

God’s Children Love

1 John 3:16 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Jesus gave the ultimate standard of love

He laid down His life for others

He was the righteous one and He died to pay the penalty for our sins.

He gave it all for our benefit.

Thus he set the ultimate example of putting others before Himself.

We ought to lay down our lives for others

As His disciples, we are to follow His example

True love shows in lesser sacrifices as well

1 John 3:17 ESV

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Practical love helps others!

Don’t just talk about it, act on it.

Find a way to carry someone’s burden

Help in every way you can.

Do whatever you can whenever you can.

God’s love in us for others motivates us to do what we can for them

We should see this in our families

We should see this in our church

We should see this in our interactions with those in the world.

We must love in deed and truth

1 Jn 3:18

1 John 3:18 ESV

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Act not just talk about it.

True love leads to actions.

Conclusion:

A child of God loves others, just as Jesus did.

Assurance of Salvation

1 John 3:20 ESV

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

1 jn 3:

When we see signs of the Lord in our lives, we gain assurance of salvation.

Let us act in love today.

Answered Prayer

1 Jn 3:

1 John 3:22 ESV

and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

God’s c. Abiding presence and empower of the Holy Spirit

c. Abiding presence and empower of the Holy Spirit

1 John 3:23–24 ESV

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

1 Jn 3: