Sunday Message, 18/12/2022, 11.30am

Love others with the love of Christ

<Jn 13:1, 4-5, 12-17; Lev 19:18; Mt 5:44; Pr 25:21; Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 4:20-21>

Introduction

· To love God and love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets

· Is it easier to love God or love others?

· Is loving God easier? Because God will not disappoint us or hurt us

· Is loving others easier? Because we can see them and we can easily receive their response

1.     We must learn from the example of our Lord Jesus, to love others

1)      Jesus’ love for man will not only be halfway

· Read <Jn 13:1>

· Although man repeatedly failed God, God loved them till the end

· We love, because God first loved us

2)     In loving others, there will be tangible acts of love and sacrifice

· Read <Jn 13: 4-5>

3)     We ought to serve one another and wash the feet of one another

· Read <Jn 13: 12-17>

· In humility count others more significant than yourselves <Php 2:3>

· Even the disciples of Jesus will compare amongst themselves <Lk 22:24>

· If we truly love others, we will not be too bothered by the opinions of others

· We often see the speck that is in our brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in our own eye <Mt 7:3-5>

2.     You must know who you ought to love

1)     Love our family: Spouse, children, parents

· Spouse – Refer to <Col 3:18; Eph 5:22-28; 1Co 7:3>

· Children – Refer to <Eph 6:4; Col 3:21; Pr 22:6, 13:24, 29:17>

· Parents – Refer to <Ex 20:12; Pr 6:20, 20:20>

2)     Love our fellow man: neighbour, classmates, colleagues, friends, etc

· Read <Lev 19:18>

· Read <Pr 14:21, 27:10>

· Do not despise, do not cause harm, but show grace

· Do not “say one thing, but do another”

3)     Love your enemies

· Read <Mt  5:44; Pr 24:17-18, 25:21>

· Can we really love our enemies? Is God demanding too much?

· Look at the example given by Jesus

· If your past is causing you to be unable to love; pray for Lord’s healing and mercy on you

4)     Love brothers and sisters in Christ（brethren）

· Read <Jn 13:34-35; 1Jn 4:20-21>

3.     How do we practically love others? What is the expression of love?

1)     Give timely and practical help

· If believers’ words are not translated to actions; they may be hindering the gospel

· When believers are giving help to others, they should seek the wisdom from God

2)     Must focus on things concerning a person’s salvation, regeneration

· Should believers love others, but not care about their salvation and regeneration?

3)     Must know how to shepherd others

· Shepherding is to cause a person to know, desire and receive the Word of God; correct a person’s perspectives so that he can encounter God