It’s the Real Thing (Love)
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
First, I want to look at the…
Gift of love
We can be so thankful for His great gift of love.
Opportune
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Graciously given
Ephesians 2:4 - 5 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
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Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)Ultimate adoption
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
We need to also see the…
Greatness of love
Greatest of the greats
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Bond of perfection (perfect bond of unity)
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Driving force of our faith
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Fruit of His spirit within us
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
We are blessed as we are able to see the…
Example of Christ's love
Constant
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Godly
John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Giving
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Ultimate expression
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
And, we need to see the difference love makes in us, it is seen by the…
Proper expression of our love shown for Him
Obedient walk for Him n view of others
John 14:22 - 23 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
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Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Faithful love for God's promised Son
John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Completely, even unto death
Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Last, we deal with our…
Evident expression of love for others
Unselfish love
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Above all, for the "brethren"
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another.
Like Christ
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Pure
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Wholeheartedly
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
While it may not be theologically meant, but the saying, "Love makes the world go round." Is accurate. God's love for us provides for us, fills us, motivates us, and shares us with others. What more could we want and expect?
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 102807pm