Introduction

Good morning, it is a joy to see each and every one of your faces this morning. With hearts open and minds ready to receive, we gather in this sacred space to lean into the wisdom and love of our Heavenly Father.

Today, we are going to turn our hearts towards the profound wisdom found in the first letter of John, specifically 1 John 4:20-21. The Apostle John has a message for us that is as timely today as it was when first penned.

The scripture reads, "Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

In these verses, we find a divine truth that challenges us, inspires us, and calls us to a higher standard of love and respect.

Charles Spurgeon, a man known for his wisdom and deep understanding of scripture, once said, "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t." It's a gentle reminder for us to constantly turn to God's Word for guidance, wisdom, and strength.

Can we truly say we love God if we harbor hatred or resentment towards our brothers and sisters? Can we claim to be followers of Christ if we do not show respect to all, regardless of their race, gender, or social status? And can we, as a church, truly say we are living out Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream if we are not actively working towards unity and equality?

Before we dive into these weighty matters, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for your word that guides us, corrects us, and inspires us. As we open our hearts to your message today, we pray that you will give us the courage to live out the truths we learn. Help us to love as you love, to respect as you respect, and to dream as you dream. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

So, beloved, let's embark on this sacred endeavor, leaning not on our own understanding, but on the divine wisdom of our loving God. Let's open our hearts wide, for the message today is not just for our minds, but for our hearts as well. Let's prepare to be challenged, to be inspired, and most importantly, to be changed.

Loving on Purpose

In the world we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. We're constantly rushing from one thing to the next, often forgetting to take a moment to show love to those around us. But what if we made a conscious effort to slow down? What if we took the time to truly see the people around us and show them love in a tangible way?

This is not just about saying "I love you" to our family and friends, although that's important. It's about showing love to everyone we encounter. It's about treating the cashier at the grocery store with kindness and patience, even when we're in a hurry. It's about showing compassion to the homeless person on the street, rather than turning a blind eye. It's about reaching out to that coworker who seems to be struggling, rather than keeping to ourselves.

The Apostle John tells us that if we claim to love God, we must also love our brothers and sisters. This is a command. And it's not just about loving those who are easy to love, but also those who are difficult to love. It's about showing love to those who have hurt us, those who have wronged us, and those who are different from us.

Now, this is not an easy task. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and to put others before ourselves. It requires us to forgive when we've been wronged and to show kindness when we'd rather show anger. But the good news is that we don't have to do this in our own strength. God has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us in this endeavor.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us, we can manifest more love in our lives. We can become vessels of God's love, shining His light in a dark world. And as we do this, we not only bless those around us, but we also draw closer to God. We begin to see His heart for people and to understand His love in a deeper way.

But how do we do this? How do we manifest more love in our lives? Well, it starts with prayer. We need to ask God to fill us with His love and to help us see people the way He sees them. We need to ask Him to give us a heart for those who are hurting, those who are lost, and those who are broken.

Next, we need to make a conscious effort to show love in practical ways. This could be as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. It could also be as big as forgiving someone who has deeply hurt us or reaching out to someone who has wronged us.

Finally, we need to stay connected to God's Word. The Bible is filled with examples of God's love and commands for us to love one another. By reading and meditating on these scriptures, we can be reminded of God's love for us and be inspired to show that love to others.

So, let's make a commitment today to manifest more love in our lives. Let's ask God to fill us with His love, to guide us in showing that love to others, and to help us stay connected to His Word. And as we do this, let's remember the words of the Apostle John: "Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

Mutual Respect

The Apostle John, in his profound wisdom, makes it clear that our love for God is intrinsically linked to our love for our brothers and sisters ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO