Sermon Central
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A Test Of Your Love
Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 10, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: Have you allowed anything to hinder you from loving the Lord Jesus as you ought? Are you allowing family and relatives to come between you and the Lord? Has your selfish love for yourself hindered you from loving the Lord as you ought? Is your love for li
Intro: Many today think of the Hollywood-type “Jesus” as a very soft, sissified man who always allows any and all to run over Him! The lost sees Jesus as the type of man that just accepts what people give Him because He has to. This, however, is NEVER the Jesus of the Bible!
The Jesus of the Bible was often frank, direct, bold, and at times even offensive to immature disciples! The Jesus of the Bible also made some shocking demands from His followers. Though many of these commands have been mostly ignored or forgotten by professing Christians, we will look at some very serious commands from the Lord Jesus Christ concerning our love for Him.
I. ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS (Matt. 10:37)
A. Love for a father or mother (Matt. 10:37a)
B. Love for a son or daughter (Matt. 10:37b)
C. Love for a husband or wife (Luke 14:26)
D. Love for brothers or sisters (Luke 14:26)
E. Exemplified by Abraham (Gen. 22:1-13)
II. ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR SELF (Matt. 10:38)
A. Men are lovers of themselves (II Tim. 3:2).
B. We are to deny ourselves (Luke 9:23).
C. We are to take up OUR Cross (Luke 14:27).
D. We are to follow Him (I Pet 2:21).
E. Exemplified by Moses (Heb. 11:24-27)
III. ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR LIFE (Matt. 10:39)
A. Finding life here is actually a loss of life (Explain).
B. Loss of life here is actually a finding of life (Expl.).
C. Not Exemplified by Demas (II Tim. 4:10a)
D. Exemplified by Paul (Acts 20:24; Phil. 3:7-8)
IV. ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR GOD (Mark 12:30)
Evidences that you do not fully and truly love Christ:
A. When your heart delights more in someone or something than in the Lord (Psa. 37:4).
B. When your soul does not long for times of sweet fellowship with the Lord and His word (Psa. 130:5).
C. When your mind during your free time does not reflect upon God and His goodness (Psa. 10:4).
D. When your strength is spent on personal matters, or worst the things of the world (Psa. 31:10).
Brethren, if these things have been happening in your spiritual life for a long time, it is no wonder why your love for your Lord and Saviour is cold and bland!
Here is the Lord’s personal word for you today found in Rev. 2:4-5; “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Conclusion: Brethren, have you allowed anything to hinder you from loving the Lord Jesus as you ought? Are you allowing family and relatives to come between you and the Lord? Has your selfish love for yourself hindered you from loving the Lord as you ought? Is your love for life and the things of this world coming between you and the Lord? If so, consider the One who loved you so much that He gave Himself for you. The Lord deserves your love. Give it to Him and give it to Him undivided. Let every man, woman and child whom the Lord has spoken come before the altar tonight. Pray and get right with the Lord. He is here waiting to forgive and bless you. Amen!
