Sermon Central
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Love On Display
Contributed by Martin Holland on Feb 8, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: When it comes to loving the model for every believer is Jesus Himself.
Love on Display
John 13:1, 31-35
When it comes to loving the model for every believer is the Lord Himself. We can truly never love without the gift of the Holy Spirit and complete yielding unto Him in this grace.
Ephesians 2:4 But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God…
Mention: Romans 8:37 we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us
See: John 11:35-36 Behold how He loved him
Mention: John 13:1 We are told that Jesus loved His disciples unto the end
Then: John 13:34 He says as I loved you, that ye also love one another
See: John 15:9, 12 He challenges His disciples to “Continue ye in My love”
Then: John 17:26 Our Lord prays the we possess the same love that is in Him and the Father
I want to first say we cannot even begin perhaps to understand the totality of the God’s love, but yet by His grace we can and should be an example of it.
What can we learn about this great love from the life of Jesus and other instructions from scripture?
1. Love is Sacrificial
Mention: John 3:16
See: Rev. 1:5 Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sin in His own blood
It is one thing when someone sacrifices his or her life to save a love one or even a perfect stranger, but when all of the sinfulness of man is on display and then even commit such great sacrifice our finite minds will never understand.
I believe this is why we are challenged by our Lord in Luke chapter six to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us.
See: Luke 6:35-36 for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil
The previous verses tell us we are call to a higher order of love than that of the world.
Mention: John 15:13 there is no greater love than when a man lay downs his life for his friends
2. Love is Service
Mention: John 13 Jesus washed His disciple’s feet giving them an example of how they are to serve one another.
See: Gal. 5:13 by love serve one another
It is our love for God that should cause us to serve Him and our love from God that causes us to serve others.
Mention: John 21:15-17 Jesus here asked Peter three times did he love Him and on each occasion He said unto him feed His lambs and sheep.
Point: if our service is motivated by anything besides love it will probably not last
Mention: Matt. 6:24 Jesus says we can determine who we love based upon who we are serving
3. Love is Sincere
We know that Jesus would eventually prove the sincerity of His love for us by submitting Himself to death on the cross. If we are sincere in loving it should be demonstrated by our actions.
• Love for the brethren
• Love for the Lord
John 14:15 By desiring to keep His commandments
See: 2 Cor. 8:7-8 by giving unto the Lord is proof of sincere love
Mention: 1 Cor. 13:1-8a It is important to say that it we do anything without the love of God to Him is as sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.
4. Love is not Stupid
This point is needed to be made, because oftentimes in the name of love people are blinded to the ill treatment of a person(s).
Jesus in His love for Judas was not ignorant to the heart of Judas.
Mention: 2 Cor. 12:15 Paul told the church of Corinth the more I loved you, the less I be loved.
5. Love is Supreme
1 Cor. 13:13 Love is the greatest
Mention: John 13:35 Jesus tells His disciples they will known as His followers by their love one for another.
