Introduction

Dear brothers and sisters, welcome. I am delighted that you've chosen to join us today, as we gather in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to consider the profound truths that He has revealed to us in His Word. Today, we are going to immerse ourselves in the depths of God's love, the unity that we share in Christ, and the call to extend that love to one another.

Our focus today will be drawn from the book of Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, and John 15:9-17. Let's read those passages together now:

"44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 'Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?' 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days." (Acts 10:44-48)

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5 Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:1-6)

"9 As the Father has loved me, so I have 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. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:9-17)

In these passages, we see the beauty of God's love, the unity we have in Christ, and the call to love one another.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are." This union with Christ, this shared community, is the heart of our faith. It is the source from which all our love for one another springs.

Now, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love that surpasses understanding. We thank You for the unity we have in Christ, and the love we are called to share with one another. As we reflect on Your Word today, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide us, to open our hearts to Your truth, and to inspire us to live out these truths in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.

Transition. So, let's begin. Let's look at these passages together, let's learn from them, let's live them. Let's love like Christ.

Christ's Command of Love

In the heart of the Gospel, we find a command that is as profound as it is simple. It's a command that echoes through the ages, resonating in the hearts of believers, shaping our lives and our communities. It's the command to love. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see this command in action. We see a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and transformative. A love that reaches out to the marginalized, the forgotten, the unlovable. A love that breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and brings healing. This is the love that Jesus commands us to have for one another.

But what does this love look like? How do we live it out in our daily lives? The answer to these questions can be found in the life and teachings of Jesus. He showed us what it means to love by the way He lived His life. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

Jesus also taught us that love is sacrificial. In His greatest act of love, He laid down His life for us. He tells His disciples, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This is the kind of love that Jesus commands us to have for one another. A love that is willing to sacrifice, to give, to serve.

But this command to love is not just about our relationships with each other. It's also about our relationship with God. Jesus tells us, "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." Our love for God is shown in our obedience to His commandments. And His greatest commandment is this: to love. To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Transition. So, as we reflect on this command to love, let us remember the example of Jesus. Let us strive to love as He loved. Let us make love the foundation of our lives, the guiding principle of our actions. Let us love not just in word, but in deed and in truth. Let us love sacrificially, selflessly, unconditionally. Let us love God, and let us love one another. For in doing so, we abide in His love, and His joy is made complete in us.

Community in Christ

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of God's Word, we find ourselves drawn to the idea of community in Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO