Sermon Tone Analysis

1 John 3:11-24

INTRODUCTION: Our world is a harsh place to live.

For the most part, people live a “dog eat dog” existence.

The way the world is to put self first, love self and provide for self.

One of the great tragedies of our present generation is that there is so much talk about love and so little demonstration of it.

Is it any wonder we have difficulty expressing love.

We have the problem identifying it.

The Bible is clear that the way the Christian is to be vastly different from the way of the world.

We are taught in the Bible that genuine love for the brethren is our calling card.

Love is something that we do as well as feel.

It is God in action through us.

I. LOVE IS EXTENSIVE (11-15)

A. The Importance Of Love (11)

1.

It is a basic Christian quality

John 3:16

16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:8

8- He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:10

10- Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

2. It is a witness of our faith (Jn.13:34-35)

John 13:34-35

34- A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35- By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12

12- This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Galatians 6:2

2- Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ephesians 5:2

2- And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

1 Thessalonians 4:9

9- But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

1 Peter 1:22

22- Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 Peter 3:8

8- Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1 Peter 4:8

8- And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

B. The Absence Of Love (12-13)

1. Cain set the biblical example of what self love is all about.

(Gen.

4:8)

a) It is seen in his heartlessness toward his brother.

b) It is seen in his concern only for himself.

2. The Bible is trying to tell us that genuine God-like love knows no boundaries and sets no limits.

It draws no lines.

It is freely given and asks nothing in return.

C. The Testimony Of Love (14-15)

1. Love creates a perfect confidence- - “We know”

2. Loves refers to a divine deliverance - - “passed from death unto life”

3. Love is personal- - “We love the brethren”

4. Love is evident- - “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

“What we are shows forth through what we say and do.”

II.

LOVE IS EXPENSIVE (16-21)

A. It Demonstrates The Love Of God (16)

Note- real love costs the giver something, but it is always given with joy!!!

1. Lays aside comfort, pleasure, time for others.

Matthew 20:28

28- Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Romans 16:4

4- Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

2. Does not count any cost too much when another is in need.

Note- I think of this every time I read in the gospels about Jesus getting into a boat or a ship.

Somebody supplied that boat, probably at great sacrifice so Jesus could be transported just to reach a demonic wild man in Gadara or to sit and teach the people from it.

Note- Turn and read about Epaphroditus in Philippians 3:25-30

B. It Is Expressed In Practical Service (17-18)

1. Stewardship of our resources- note it deals with “brother” those that are saved….we

give to our fellow Christians resources…we give to a lost man the gospel.

2. Our compassion for fellow Christians in need will demonstrate our love to the Heavenly Father.

Galatians 6:1-2

1- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2- Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

James 2:15-16

15- If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16- And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

3.

This could include a Christian that is need of resources, a missionary that is in need of funds to assist in their ministry..

C. It Is The Foundation Of Assurance (19-21)

1. Assurance of Salvation (19)

a) A Christian is a giver…of all of the resources that God has entrusted him with.

b) When I have compassion (not pity) for fellow brothers and am willing to do something about it then I can be assured of my salvation.

Note- the devil and the flesh will not prompt me to be one that sacrifices for the needs of others.

2. Assurance of God’s wisdom (20)

a) As we walk with God and grow in His knowledge then He gives discernment for the believer

b) Our assurance of salvation is not based on a “feeling” but on the Word of God.

c) Trust what the Bible says and how the Holy Spirit is leading

3. Assurance of our confidence in God (21)

Note- God will deal with us through our hearts.

Remember God will bring conviction and when we accept the blame for our sinful actions then He will remove the conviction, guilt and shame!!

After a sin has been properly dealt with then there is no need to revisit it!!!

If it is brought back up to your mind then realize that it is not God but the flesh or the devil doing it-in the case of the devil we do not need to confess it all over again, we simply need to “resist the devil and he will flee from us!!

III.

LOVE IS EXPRESSIVE (18, 22-24)

A. Genuine Love Doesn’t Just Talk, It Acts-vs.

18

1.

Christian love will be demonstrated by our actions:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4- Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5- Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6- Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7- Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1 Thessalonians 1:3