scripture: 1 john 3:11-3:18

Sermon on 1 John 3:11-18, showing how love for the brethren is a fulfillment of the 6th commandment.

Sermon on 1 John 3:11-18, showing how love for the brethren is a fulfillment of the 6th commandment.

The commandment to "love one another" is given by Jesus to his disciples and to the church today.

The commandment to "love one another" is given by Jesus to his disciples and to the church today.

John explained the kind of love that God hates in 2:15-17 (the patterns & desires of the world), and describes the kind of love He loves in 3:11-18 (the love that serves & sacrifices for another). No matter what a person says, how they love reveals what they really believe because practice/actions follows belief. The real test of having new life in Christ is loving the brethren. o Real love is seen in Christ laying down His life for us. o Real love shown in us laying down our lives for another. We know what real love looks like because we know what Jesus did. We practice real love by doing what Jesus did. Christ has not only set the example of sacrificial love, He enables Christians to love others the same way by His death on the cross.

John explained the kind of love that God hates in 2:15-17 (the patterns & desires of the world), and describes the kind of love He loves in 3:11-18 (the love that serves & sacrifices for another). No matter what a person says, how they love reveals what they really believe because practice/actions follows belief. The real test of having new life in Christ is loving the brethren. o Real love is seen in Christ laying down His life for us. o Real love shown in us laying down our lives for another. We know what real love looks like because we know what Jesus did. We practice real love by doing what Jesus did. Christ has not only set the example of sacrificial love, He enables Christians to love others the same way by His death on the cross.

Pastor John opens our two-week spring missions focus. How are you reaching out with Christ's love? Contact the church office for a booklet on what people in our congregation are already doing and get some ideas!

On this day that love is celebrated, what is love?

Pastor Brian shows us that in Jesus we find the definition, example, and embodiment of true love.

The Apostle John gives us a test.

Part 9 of our study of 1 John