Sincere Love

1 Peter 1:22-25

God saved us though our obedience in believing Him and that faith should result in real love for His people.

I. The Responsibility to Love (22)

A. φιλεω love [this is how we obey the command to love with αγαπη love]

based on common expierience like being in a family or like being a New Yorker after 9/11.

1. As a result of purified souls

1 John 3:3

• perfect tense - "You purified your souls and the effect continues."

2. Through Obeying the truth

Ephesians 4:30-32

Philippians 2:3

Ephesians 4:15

Hebrews 10:25

3. Sincere - unhypocritical, used of actors who would hide behind mask and pretend to be someone they weren't. Not minipulative in order to get someone to do something for you, or to feel a certain way toward you. ["How to win friends and influence people" was a handbook on how to manipulate everyone around you.]

B. αγαπη love

1. What this love proves - 1 John 3:14

1 John 4:8

2. What this love looks like - 1 Corinthians

• It is Fervent - "to stretch out the hand" this is a love with effort.
• It is from the Heart - not looking to get anything in return.

[Pastor Keith M., death threat, dad watching his family all night.]

John 13:35 - Can people tell that you are a disciple of Jesus?

What can you do to show your love to a brother or sister in Christ today? Do you know their needs?

II. The Reason to Love (23-25)

A. We are born the same

B. We have the same Bible

1. It is imperishable - that is incorruptible

2. It is living - quick, lively, fresh, full of vigour, strong, and efficient.

Hebrews 4:12

3. It is enduring - it doesn't change with the times because it does not need to. [political science class at Bowling Green State University, the law is always changing. Defend what you may not agree with. This lead me to the ministry so that I could work with a book that never changes.]

from Isaiah 40:6-8

4. It was preached to us all.

Conclusion:

Jesus is coming soon.

We will all inherit the kindom of God together.

We are in this together.

So lets sacrificially and sincerely love one another now.