Loving One Another
Pastor Rob
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· 8 viewsContrast between darkness and light. What hypocrisy looks like. Loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
· Jimmy Carter & other biographies: a world of difference between “knowing about” and “knowing” someone;
· We can know lots about God, theology, bible etc.… do we KNOW God?
HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND HE OFFERS THREE TESTS; WE’LL LOOK AT TWO TODAY.
I) The Moral Test: If We Know God we Obey Him (vv. 3-6)
I) The Moral Test: If We Know God we Obey Him (vv. 3-6)
A. Can we Know God – without obeying?
A. Can we Know God – without obeying?
i. Some claim that obedience is oppressive
1. Currently, the emphasis is on “love” – being gracious, accepting, loving
2. So: calling for obedience is seen as restrictive or intolerant
ii. Some claim that Obedience is a burden for believers
1. For others – the gospel is supposed to liberating, not legalism!
2. So: a dichotomy between faith & work, school, home, etc.
3. BUT: we are “liars” b/c we aren’t consistent in how we live (vs. 4)
B. No; God’s Love is made complete in obedience
B. No; God’s Love is made complete in obedience
i. Those who know God obey & Abide (vv.3, 5-6)
1. Obedience & Imitating Christ are evidence of knowing God
2. EXAMPLE: Are you honest? Do you behave different from coworkers?
ii. Those who obey God see His love perfected (vs. 5)
1. Obedience isn’t a burden, but a way to more fully experience God’s Love
2. EXAMPLE: Playing sports – doing what the coach says means you more fully delights you & your coach
THAT BRINGS US TO THE SECOND TEST.
II) The “Love” Test: If We Know God We Will Love Others (vv. 7-11)
II) The “Love” Test: If We Know God We Will Love Others (vv. 7-11)
A. Can we Know God & Not love others?
A. Can we Know God & Not love others?
i. A warning for those who love morality…but not people (vv. 9, 11)
1. Some of us excel at everything I just said – obedience, etc.
2. BUT: your obedience is cold, it’s critical of others, it’s judgmental
ii. Can such a person know God?
1. John’s warning: We can profess to know God – yet hate others (vs. 9)
2. EXAMPLE: The Pharisee at the temple (Lk. 18:10-12)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
B. No; Loving Others is a Mark of living in the Light
B. No; Loving Others is a Mark of living in the Light
i. Something old, something new: The Old-new message of love
1. The old: God’s moral law is summed up with Love! (vs. 7)
2. The New: Jesus ushers in a new way of love (vs. 8, Jn. 13:1)
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
ii. Therefore, those who know God will love
1. Two key elements: Foot-washing, and “other”-loving
2. EXAMPLES: Crossroads; Arches/UGM; Salem For Refugees
Transition:
III) God’s Grace as the Power for Knowing Him! (vv. 1-2, 12-17)
III) God’s Grace as the Power for Knowing Him! (vv. 1-2, 12-17)
A. Encouragement for those on the Journey Of Faith (vv. 12-17)
A. Encouragement for those on the Journey Of Faith (vv. 12-17)
i. Encouragement for children, young men, and adults in the faith
1. “children”: delight in the beauty of the gospel (vv. 12 13b LD 9)
2. “Fathers”: who’ve had the joy of walking w. God lifelong (vv. 13, 14)
3. “Young men” who know the Christian life is a struggle
ii. Exhortation for all (vv. 15-17)
1. Don’t get wrapped up in materialism, sensuality, ego
2. These are temporal; God is eternal! (vs. 17)
B. Assurance for those “who do sin” (vs. 1-2)
B. Assurance for those “who do sin” (vs. 1-2)
i. Not where John ends, but where he begins…
1. “That sermon was really good – I have lot to work on!”
2. John’s desire: I don’t want you to sin! But…(vs. 1)
ii. The Christ-centered foundation of all of this!
1. The prosecutor has become your advocate, proclaiming his righteousness for you!
2. EXAMPLE: The guilt of being a bad mother; giving in to temptation; haven’t loved your neighbor…
Transition:
Conclusion
Do you know God (the way I know Jimmy Carter?), or do you know him personally?