• Having an affection for; a godly love toward others; a service driven love

 

• It is not to be hypocritical. You love sincerely by loving God and your neighbor

1. Why do you love? What is it that drives you to love or care for others

Actions of love are motivated by our love for God. (1 John 4:19 NIV)

1. How do we make sure that our love is right?

• Abhor evil; to utterly detest; you hate it so badly you can’t stand doing it

1. What are we to abhor/hate so badly…evil

• • Malice; a desire to inflict injury or harm to someone
  • Unkindness (hate what is unkind or evil)

1. What evil or unkindness do you see each day?

• What is the reaction of your heart and mind?
• What actions do you take to overcome it?
• Do you see it for what it really is – evil?

What is the action that we are to do?

• Cling to what is good; to glue; to keep company with

The word meant to have the deepest sympathy for good.

• Good toward others

1. How is this done? (vs. 10)

1. Be devoted to one another

• A mutual love
  • To cherish; tender affection

This term for love starts with the believers and works itself out into the world. (it was once called, “The love of the brethren”)

• We are to delight in this love

The outworking of this love:

• Looking out for each other; caring about the needs of those we love

The question here is, “If we love each other then why aren’t we taking care of each other?”

• And what about our neighbor
  • Do we really love them

1. Honor one another above ourselves

• To consider all your brothers more worthy than yourself
  • Don’t let your grief or envy shut this love down
  • It is putting others above yourself

Thought: imagine what the Christian community would look like if we did this?

• Imagine what affect that would have on our community and world?

To honor or prefer – interesting word

• To lead the way
  • Show preference to them
• To set the example in this love action
• A self-sacrificing of one self
• It is loving as Christ would love
  • Not for me but for him

A self-sacrificing love is – self-sacrificing.

• Jesus gave of himself
• God sent his son to be sacrificed for us

Are we willing this year to self-sacrifice?

• • We know there are needs
  • We know we have the ability to help

1. Will we
2. Why won’t we
3. How can we

My challenge to us as a church this year is:

• Let’s make 2021 the year we sincerely love
• We join ourselves to what is good
• We put others above ourselves

Love the Lord your God…

• With all your heart, soul, mind and strength

Love your neighbor…

• As you love yourself