True Love Shows
1 John 3:11—18
INTRODUCTION
In the very beginning of his epistle, John, encourages Christians to remember the sound doctrine preached to them "from the beginning." Remember that John was writing to combat false teaching and the only way to correct the error of false teaching is through sound doctrine. However, John also realized that to live a victorious Christian life then we must have balance.
Victory in Jesus comes when Christians have a balance between sound doctrine and holy living. It matters what we believe and teach we cannot be victorious if we adulterate the word of God. Moreover, we can know, believe and teach sound doctrine, yet, if it does not change the way we live we will not be victorious. Biblical faith is not merely a mental exercise. Never just a creedal statement. Never just a confession with words.
MAIN BODY
I. What love is Not
A. Ignoring God’s Word about worship.
1. Genesis 4:3—5
2. Hebrews 11:4
3. Romans 10:17
B. Ignoring God’s warnings about sin.
1. Genesis 4:6—7
2. Cain’s refusal turned anger into hate.
II. Knowing and Showing Love
A. God’s manifestation of love.
1. 1 John 3:16a
2. John 15:13
B. Our expected response to the cross.
1. 1 John 3:16b
2. Galatians 6:2
C. Every Christian is expected to display the love of Christ.
1. 1 John 3:17—18
2. Galatians 5:6
3. "To Be a Christian" by Jonathan Pierce
To be a Christian is to bear another’s load,
To carry what they hold when they can’t walk another day.
To be a Christian is holding out a hand to help another stand
When everyone else has turned away
To be a Christian is giving love away.
III. The Love of God shown to us through the cross says:
A. He loved you enough to reveal himself to you.
B. He loved you enough to get involved in your life.
C. He loved you enough to become totally and utterly vulnerable on the cross.
D. God placed his feelings for you on the cross.
Mitchell Skelton, Minister-Midway church of Christ
www.TheLordsWay.com/Midway
