Lawlessness vs. The Love of Christ
1 John • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsWe are commanded to love and that love is exemplified for us in the love of Christ. Are we willing to love as Christ loved? Anything less that loving like Christ is lawlessness.
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Lawlessness vs. The Love of Christ
Lawlessness vs. The Love of Christ
“Love can be known only by the action it prompts.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 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.
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 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?
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:11-
Loving others is not only consistent & compatible with being a child of God it is a requirement.
Loving others is not only consistent & compatible with being a child of God it is a requirement.
Vital Sign #4- Loving your Brother/Sister
34 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.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
G
1 Peter 5:22
Unlike Cain
1 Jn 3:
12 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.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
Love Defined
Love Defined
Love and Hate are the poles of life. They are completely and unequivocally opposites. A child of the devil will hate and murder, a child of God will love and obey God’s commands, seeking to protect and value human life.
“Agape” Love is a noun, it is a verb, it is a feeling, it is and attitude. It is described as being affection, sincere appreciation for and high regard, concern for one’s well being.
“Love can be known only by the action it prompts.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary
Affection is only known by the action it prompts
Concern for one’s well being is only known by the action it prompts.
High regard is only known by the action it prompts
Love is only known by the action it prompts.
Lt Jason Menard of the Worchester, MA Fire Department gave his life on November 13,2019, as he and fellow firefighters searched for a victim, who 911 dispatchers were told was on the third story of a dwelling that was on fire. Lt. Menard assisted two other fire fighters who were trapped in a stairway, to get to safety but he was unable to spare his own life as a result.
Love Like Christ
I have encouraged us previously and will continue to encourage us to consider the cost that Christ been paid for our redemption, an so that we may know love.
Love is known to us by the action of Christ.
Love is known to us by the action of Christ.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 Jn 3:14
Men’s action that reveals their love and affection toward another.
Lt Jason Menard of the Worchester, MA Fire Department gave his life on November 13,2019, as he and fellow firefighters searched for a victim, who 911 dispatchers were told was on the third story of a dwelling that was on fire. Lt. Menard assisted two other fire fighters who were trapped in a stairway, to get to safety but he was unable to spare his own life as a result.
Men and women are still giving their lives as a result of their faith and confession of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Modern day martyrs.
It is wise for us to regularly consider the cost that Christ paid for our redemption so that we may know love.
Love in this sense, Christ like love is defined this way:
The Biblical Illustrator: I. John Vers. 16–18
It is continuous unselfishness, to be crowned by voluntary death, if death is necessary.
The degree/depth and perhaps the value of Christ’s Love is known to us by His prayer in Gethsemane.
Matt 26:
38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Christ’s humanity and deity is quite evident here. This was not a thing Jesus the man desired to do, yet He, by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, chose to obey the Father’s will, and give His life as a ransom for many.
Are you willing to say to God the Father, whatever the cost, whatever it takes for someone to come to know you and to be redeemed, I am willing?
Are we willing to ask the Father to guide us and direct us by His Word and the work of the Spirit to lead us love others in such a way that He will be glorified, no matter the cost?
56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matt 26:
Rev 5:9-
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain
Rev 5:
Our love and worship of God is only known by the actions that it prompts.
Our love and worship of God is only known by the actions that it prompts.
In this passage it seems to be that our worship and obedience is shown particularly in our sacrificial actions of love toward the family of God.
Actions of sacrifice
Actions of sacrifice
Life-giving sacrifice
Life-giving sacrifice
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 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?
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Actions of sacrifice
Actions of sacrifice
Life-giving sacrifice
Life-giving sacrifice
James 2:
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James is using an example of in-genuine love here to illustrate spurious faith.
Love can be known only by the action it prompts.
Our love is prompted by what one writer terms, gospel gratitude, that is, out of gratefulness for Christ giving His life, in order that we might have eternal life. This is not legalism, or salvation by works.
Will you allow the Love of Christ to prompt you to selflessly and sacrificial love others.
If we want this to happen in our lives, then we should ask the Lord God to help us in this area.
Paul recognized the need for God to work in one’s life for their love to grow.
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
1 Thess
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
Romans 12:
Emotionalism, which says the christian life is nothing but a bundle of emotions and we must rely upon our feelings. This view is nothing but self reliance because feelings are inward actions.
Doctrinalism, which says the Christian life is a series or bundles of doctrines to be understood or stated correctly. All that is required is for one to be able to verbally explain the doctrine of justification.
Humanitarianism, which makes christianity a series or bundles of philanthropic actions. Volunteerism. Bring light and sweetness into a hospital or slum.
Observationism- makes christianity a series or bundles of observances. Attend this service and participate in communion
The Biblical Illustrator: I. John Vers. 16–18
a life in which Christ’s truth is blended with Christ’s love; assimilated by thought, exhaling in worship, softening into sympathy with man’s suffering and sorrow. It calls for the believing soul, the devout heart, the helping hand. It is the perfect balance in a saintly soul of feeling, creed, communion. and work.
If we are to sincerely, earnestly, and purely love one another, should we not consider what kind of action it prompts us to?
If we are to sincerely, earnestly, and purely love one another, should we not consider what kind of action it prompts us to?
John Elwell warns of “mutilated and fragmentary versions of the Christian life.
Emotionalism, which says the christian life is nothing but a bundle of emotions and we must rely upon our feelings. This view is nothing but self reliance because feelings are inward actions.
Doctrinalism, which says the Christian life is a series or bundles of doctrines to be understood or stated correctly. All that is required is for one to be able to verbally explain the doctrine of justification.
Humanitarianism, which makes christianity a series or bundles of philanthropic actions. Volunteerism. Bring light and sweetness into a hospital or slum.
Observationism- makes christianity a series or bundles of observances. Attend this service and participate in communion
The Biblical Illustrator: I. John Vers. 16–18
a life in which Christ’s truth is blended with Christ’s love; assimilated by thought, exhaling in worship, softening into sympathy with man’s suffering and sorrow. It calls for the believing soul, the devout heart, the helping hand. It is the perfect balance in a saintly soul of feeling, creed, communion. and work.
I want us to take a few moments of reflection and silent prayer. I would like each of us to ask the Lord to make very clear to us, specific ways that we can show sincere love, and seek to honor others with zeal and passion.