A. Love! Main scripture for this study: 1Cor.13:13
1. Now these 3 remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1Cor.13:13
2. Some may wonder! Why I preach about righteousness a lot more than love!
B. I often preach about these 2:
1. But you, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1Tim.6:11
*** The word love listed 4th!
2. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, love, peace,
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2Tim.2:22
*** The word love listed 3rd!
3. Why then, 1Cor.13:13 say love is the greatest!
C. Consider these scriptures!
1. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. Ro.14:16
2. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ro.14:17
3. Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Ro.14:18
*** As a preacher of the Gospel I have to preach message that is pleasing to God and approved by men!
This way I can please God and attract lots of people into the church of Christ!
These scriptures did not mention about love!
4. May be a very few understand love is the invisible foundation of all!
5. Without love for God and for people all things are in vain!
D. How God show his love?
Yes, God is love! How God show his love?
1. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (what do you give?)
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn.3:16
2. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Ro.5:8
3. This is love:
Not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1Jn.4:10
E. How to show love for God!?
1. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1Jn.4:8
2. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. 1Jn.5:3
3. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.
As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2Jn.1:6
4. Jesus made it simple for all! If you love me, keep my commandments. Jn.14:15 KJV
F. Christianity people have such an extreme epic way keeping Jn.14:15
1. If you love me, keep my commandments. Jn.14:15 (KJV)
2. If you love me, you will obey what I command. (NIV)
3. Either way! No one out smart them!
As for KJV, they acted: God’s commandments are to ‘keep’! Nothing about practice in this life!
As for their beloved NIV: God’s commandment is to be ‘will obey’! Not now in this life!
4. I can say! This is the one essential reason I say: Not one Christianity people believe Jesus!
G. Watch how did Peter keep God’s command? Jn.21:15-17
1. Jesus asked: Peter, do you love me? Jn.21:15
Answered: Yes, Lord you know that I love you!
Jesus said to him: Feed my lambs.
2. Jesus asked again: Peter, do you love me? Jn.21:16
Answered: Yes, Lord you know that I love you!
Jesus said to him: Shepherd my little sheep.
3. Jesus asked the 3rd time: Peter do you love me? Jn.21:17
Answered: Lord you know all things. You know I love you!
Jesus said to him: Feed my little sheep. (4263 followers of Christ!)
4. At the end of his life he wrote these: 2Peter 1:13-15
a. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body. 2Pet.1:13
b. Because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 2Pet.2:14
c. I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 2:15
5. Peter kept Jesus’ commands to the end of his body life! Never tried to be evasive!
May God bless you and keep you always!
Preach this April 11, 2021.