The Marks Of A Great Christian - Loving Series

The Marks Of A Great Christian - Loving

Two friends were discussing what it means to be in love. One said, "I think I have been in love three times.” His friend asked him to tell him about his three love experiences.

He said, "Five years ago I cared deeply for a woman. I wanted to be around her all the time. I could not go a day without seeing her so I would spend every waking hour at her house. But there was only one problem; she wanted nothing to do with me. I think that was love, don’t you?" "No," his friend replied. "That was not love, that was obsession.”

The man went on, “Two years ago I deeply cared for a very attractive woman. I liked the way she looked. I liked the way she smelled. Every time I would see her I got goose bumps. I am quite certain that was love. Don’t you think that was love?” “No.” the friend replied, “That was not love; that was passion.”

"Well then let me tell you what happened last year.” the man went on, “I met a woman aboard a cruise ship in Caribbean. She was smart, funny, and a great conversationalist. We enjoyed being around each other and everywhere I followed her on the ship I would get this strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. I’m sure that was love. What do you think?" "No." the friend replied. "That was not love – you were just sea sick.”

Today if you haven’t guessed it we are going to be looking at what it means to love.

Last week we began a new series entitled: “The Marks of a Great Christian” and we found that to be a Great Christian we need to be serving. This week are going to continue our series and look at the second mark of a Great Christian and that is loving.

Our text for today comes from John chapter 13.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

Let me give you:

FIVE REASONS TO LOVE ANOTHER:

1. Loving one another is an act of following CHRIST:

Jesus said:

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35 (MSG)

The standard of loving others is “THE WAY CHRIST LOVED US.”

Jesus set the example for the way we were to love one another. He led by example. He said, “In the same way I loved you, you love one another.” Go ahead and circle the words “same way.” This is the standard by which we are to love one another. Anything less than His example – falls short. How did He love others? By giving Himself to them! He gave of his time. He gave of his talents and finally He gave his life for them.

I want you to notice in our text – that Christ did not give us a suggestion about loving others. He didn’t give an opinion. He didn’t say it might be a good idea if you love others. He gave us a commandment. If we are followers of Jesus we need to do what He has commanded us to do. We are to – “Love one another, in the same way He loved us.”

2. Loving one another is evidence of a CHANGED LIFE.

Look at the verse from first John with me:

“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10 (NKJV)

A little Girl had gone to Sunday School and the lesson that day was about how much God loves the whole world. The teacher told the children that they should love the whole world too. The teacher went on to tell the children the best place to start loving other people was to start right in their own homes. They should love the people in their own families.

On the way home from church she got into an argument with her brother. Her parents were not very pleased with the children for their behavior. That night when the little girl was going to bed she said this prayer. “Dear God, I bet it’s very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in my family and I can’t do it. Help me. Amen.”