“Continual
Expressions of Love”
I John 3:11-18
July 29, 2007
Chris Thatcher
Pastor of Discipleship
and Equipping
Reviewing where we’ve been:
Read I John 3:11-18
“This is the message you have heard from
the beginning: We should love one another.”
(cf. John
15:12,17; Gal. 6:10)
“Do not be like Cain, who belonged to
the devil and murdered his brother. And
why did he murder him? Because his own
actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.”
Loving one
another is incompatible with evil heart motivations.
(cf. I Peter 1:22).
“Do not be surprised, my brothers, if
the world hates you.”
Loving one
another is righteousness that is opposed to the world (cf. John
15:17-18).
“We know that we have passed from death
to life, because we love our brothers.
Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer,
and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
Loving one
another, continually, is evidence we are children of God and have passed
from death to life (cf. John 13:34-35).
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our
brothers.”
Loving one
another involves continual self sacrifice (cf. John 15:13).
“If anyone has material possessions and
sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in
him? Dear children, let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Loving one
another involves continual, genuine expressions of meeting practical
needs (cf. James 2:15-16).
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Questions
for personal reflection or small groups:
1) What encourages you the most about
the “Love Test”?
2) How would your life be different one
year from now if you continue in love of fellow Christians?
3) What would it take to develop a habit
of love in you?