Love Is The Proof

LOVE IS THE PROOF

Sunday September 10th, 2023

Pastor Raymond Johns

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, " 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

God’s love makes a difference in our individual lives and His love through us makes a difference in the lives around us.

It is only to the extent that we love well and deeply that we are truly alive.

CS Lewis “ the only place outside of heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is hell.”

Love has direction, movement and purpose.

John 13:34-35 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

What’s really new about it is Jesus saying, “As I have loved you.”

John 15:9–10 (ESV) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

The difference between what I feel and what I do.

The difference between I should and I can.

The difference between old and new.

A lot of what we call love is just polite selfishness.

Love Needs

An example greater than itself "even as I have loved you..."

A foundation stronger than itself "I have loved you"

A Purpose higher than itself "...by this all the world will know that you are my disciples”

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 John 2:6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.

1.WE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS FELLOWSHIPS WITH HIS FATHER

1 John 1:7“But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other...”

2. WE FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE FORGIVES US.

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

3. WE ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER AS HE ACCEPTS US.

Romans 15:7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

4. WE SACRIFICE FOR ONE ANOTHER AS HE SACRIFICED FOR US

1 John 3:16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Connection is a heart to heart attachment that goes beyond knowing about someone to actually knowing that person.

Take the initiative.

Seek to empathize with the persons you are connecting with.

Hebrews 2:18 For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us.

Commit for the long haul.