1 John 3:11-24
Big Idea: Loving Like Jesus Is Evidence That We Have Eternal Life Through Jesus
How’s your love life?:
1) Am I obeying Christ’s mandate of love? (v. 11-15)
“And one of them, a lawyer, asked him (Jesus), a question to test Him. ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’”
- Matthew 22:35-40
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
– John 13:34-35
“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”
– Genesis 4:3-8
“’You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.’”
– Matthew 5:21-22a
2) Am I following Christ’s model of love? (v. 16)
“But God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.”
– Ephesians 2:4-5
How to follow Christ’s model of love:
1) Look Back
2) Look Out
3) Look Up
4) Lay Down
5) Live Out
3) Am I living out Christ’s mission of love? (v. 17-18)
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
– James 2:15-17
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
– Galatians 6:10
4) Am I marked by the reassurance of Christ’s love? (v. 18-24)
3 Reassurances For Our Heart:
1) Our position is secure before God (v. 19-20)
2) Our prayers are answered by God (v. 21-22)
3) The abiding presence of God (v. 23-24)