Denomination people have no idea what love for God mean!
Scripture for this study: 1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
A. You may say denomination people know all about these love scriptures!
1. They memorize 1 John 4:16--> And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
They even have a church of love out of this!
2. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro.5:8
3. Jesus said: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self- seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails… now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor.13:4-8,13
6. If anyone does not love the Lord-- a curse be on him. Come, O Lord! 1 Cor.16:22
B. Despite all their talks about love! I say they have no idea about what love for God mean!
1. Listen to what Jesus said: If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15
Do they listen to Jesus’ commands recorded in the Bible?
2. Listen to what the Apostle of love said: 1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
3. Listen to what Jesus prayed for: John 17:20-23
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who wil believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Despite Jesus’ prayer, they went ahead be a denomination!
4. Listen to what the Holy Spirit said through the mouth of Apostle Paul! 1 Cor.1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another
that there be no denominations among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Despite this appeal in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, they went ahead be a denomination!
5. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.Eph,4:2-6
6. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col.3:12-14
C. Despite this clear and simple command they went ahead be denominations!
1. Warn a denomination person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Titus 3:10-11
2. Now do you wonder a God who is love do this!
And in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.
They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned
who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 2 Thes.2:10-12
D. Conclusion:
If denomination people know what is “love for God”,
they will quit denomination and be a member of a church of Christ in their neighborhood!
I am absolutely sure about this!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this January 19, 2014.