Love One Another – It Starts At Home
1 John 3:11-18
2/12/06 AM ~ Pastor Brad
Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church
Not just in words, but in actions and in truth.
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. --1 John 3:18, The Message
When left to our own power or ability, we often come up short.
If we can’t do this well, then why does God call us to love?
· We’ll be blessed from it
· God’s glory will be revealed
· It’s possible through His help
1. We can do it because of these three - 1 John 2:12-14
We’re forgiven – verse 12
We know Him – verse 13
We have overcome the evil one – verses 13-14
2. God is calling us to these actions - 1 John 3:11-18, 23 & 1 John 5:16
a. Do not be like Cain – 1 John 3:12a
b. Live right! – 1 John 3:12b
c. Love sacrificially – 1 John 3:16
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. -–1 Corinthians 13:4-7, The Message
d. Be generous and aware of others needs – 1 John 3:17
e. Have compassion on others – 1 John 3:17
f. Live in daily obedience to God – 1 John 3:23
g. Pray for each other - 1 John 5:16
3. It is really possible to love like this
God is love, and all who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. --1
The New International Version says as we rely on the love of God, He makes His love complete in us.
What does John mean by “rely”? In a word, surrender to His power to work through you!
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. --Romans 12:1, The Message