Introduction

Welcome, beloved family. It's a joy to gather with you again as we open the Word of God together. We are here to seek His wisdom, to be nourished by His truth, and to be encouraged by His unfailing love. Today, we are turning our hearts and minds toward a profound and transformative topic: love. Not just any love, but the love that originates from the heart of our Heavenly Father, the love that He has lavished upon us, and the love He calls us to extend to others.

If we look around us, we see a world that is desperately in need of love. We see hearts that are hurting, lives that are broken, and souls that are yearning for something real, something true, something lasting. What could be more real, more true, more lasting than the love of God?

The esteemed preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else." In a world that often leaves us feeling empty, isn't it comforting to know that the love of God fills us, sustains us, and gives us purpose?

Today, we are focusing on the words of Jesus Himself, as recorded in the Gospel of John. Let's read together from John 13:34,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

This is the heart of our message today. We will consider the depth of God's love for us, how we can respond by loving others, and why love is not just a command, but a gift that brings countless benefits.

Let's bow our heads in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your word that guides us, Your love that sustains us, and Your Spirit that empowers us. As we consider Your command to love one another, open our hearts to understand more deeply Your love for us. Help us to respond by loving others with the same selfless, sacrificial love You have shown us. May our lives be a reflection of Your love to the world around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Heavenly Love - Understanding God's Love for Us

In the heart of every believer, there is a yearning to comprehend the love of God. It's a love that surpasses human understanding, a love that is as deep as it is wide. It's a love that is eternal, unchanging, and unfathomable. It's a love that is not based on our performance, our worthiness, or our ability to reciprocate. It's a love that is freely given, a love that is sacrificial, a love that is unconditional.

Different from human love: The love of God is not like the love we experience in human relationships. Human love is often conditional, based on feelings, and can change over time. But God's love is different. It's a love that is steadfast, a love that endures, a love that never fails. It's a love that is not based on our goodness, but on His. It's a love that is not earned, but freely given. It's a love that is not deserved, but graciously bestowed.

Jesus gives us a glimpse into the depth of God's love: He says, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This is a profound statement. Jesus is not just telling us to love each other. He is telling us to love each other as He has loved us. This means that our love for others should mirror the love that Jesus has for us. It should be a love that is selfless, a love that is sacrificial, a love that is unconditional.

How can we love like this?: How can we love others with the same kind of love that Jesus has for us? The answer is simple, yet profound. We can love like this because Jesus first loved us. His love for us is not just an example to follow, but a source of power to draw upon. His love for us empowers us to love others. His love for us transforms our hearts and enables us to love as He loves.

Romans 5:8: In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful description of God's love. He says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is the ultimate demonstration of God's love. While we were still sinners, while we were still enemies of God, Christ died for us. This is a love that is not based on our worthiness, but on His grace. This is a love that is not earned, but freely given. This is a love that is not deserved, but graciously bestowed.

Humanity's Response - How We Can Love Others

As we continue to reflect on the words of Jesus in John 13:34, we find ourselves confronted with a powerful call to action ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO