Because We Love God We

Desire To Love God’s People

John 13: 34-35, 15:12-14; 1 Jn. 4:9-11; 1 Cor. 13:4-8a

C:\JAMMC-2010\Mission-LovePeople.USE.wpd August 22, 2010

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (NKJV)

Introduction

A young good looking man got on an airplane, and sat across the isle from the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen. As she got up to get something out of her carry on bag she fell over on him. Her face was right in his and the smell of her perfume engulfed him. She was very embarrassed. But he noticed she didn’t have a wedding or engagement ring and asked her does that mean you are not married or engaged? She said, “Yes I am neither married or engaged.” He asked, “Well, are you presently dating anyone?" "No." "Well why isn't a beautiful woman like you not dating?"

She replied, "I am looking for a man with certain qualities." He asked, "What kind of qualities are you looking for in a man?" She replied, "I like Native American, I love their skin color and high cheek bones. I also like Jewish men. Jewish men seem so brilliant and are financially successful. But I also like the good ole boys from the south, their southern drawl and the way they treat a woman, and they usually are faithful church attenders.”

By the way, what's your name?" He answered, "My name is Geronimo Bernstein, but my good Southern Baptist Sunday School buddies from down south call me, “Bubba."

When you are interested in Loving someone or people in general you need to make adjustments. We love God and want to love His People.

1.   We Desire To Love As Christ . .

      Commanded. John 13:34-35

       34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one

       another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

       35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have

       love for one another." (NKJV)

A.   The Command Is . . Rewarding. 13:34

       34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one

       another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

       1.    Rewarded In Obedience.

       2.    Rewarded In Return.

B.   The Command Is . . Revealing. 13:35

       35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have

       love for one another." (NKJV)

       1.    Reveals Our Discipleship.

       2.    Reveals Our Discipline.

Illustration

The love of God,

How rich and pure.

How measureless and strong.

It shall forevermore endure,

The saints and angels' song.

Application

We Desire To Love As Christ . . Commanded.

2.   We Desire To Love As Christ . .

      Confirmed. Jn. 15:12-14

      12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I

       have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to

       lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if

       you do whatever I command you. (NKJV)

A.   Confirmed In Christ . . Example. 15:12

      12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I

       have loved you.

B.   Confirmed In Christ . . Excellence. 15:13

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

C.   Confirmed In Christ . . Exception. 15:14

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. (NKJV)

Illustration

Mother Teresa said, “we are magic markers for the Lord writing God loves you and so do we all over the world.”

Application

We Desire To Love As Christ . .

      Confirmed.

3.   We Desire To Love As Christ . .

      Classified. 1 Jn. 4:9-11 (NKJV)

A.   Classified In Christ’s . . Demonstration. 4:9-10

       9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God

       has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might

       live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God,

       but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for

       our sins.

B.   Classified In Christ’s . . Decree. 4:11

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to

       love one another.

Illustration         Rev. 1:5, Rom. 8:37, Eph. 5:2

Yesterday in my personal devotion time I read the first part of Ephesians Chapter Four Follow as I read.

Eph 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you* all. NKJV

     That is a fitting group of scriptures to

           guide anyone desires to love God’s People.

Application          Love As Christ . . Classified.

4.   We Desire To Love With The Biblical . .

      Characteristics Of Love. 1 Cor. 13:4-8a NKJV

       4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. . . . ”

A.   Love Is Patient.  v 4a (Suffers Long Even when you feel

       like forcefully expressing yourself. Love bears pain or trials

       without complaint, shows forbearance under provocation or

       strain, and is steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or

       adversity.

B.   Love Is Kind.     v 4b Even when you want to retaliate

       physically or tear down another with your words. Love is

       sympathetic, considerate, gentle and agreeable.

C.   Love Is Not Jealous. v 4c (love does not envy;) Especially

       when you are aware that others are being noticed more than

       you. Love does not participate in rivalry, is not hostile toward

       one believed to enjoy an advantage, and is not suspicious.

       Love works for the welfare and good of the other.

D.   Love Does Not Brag. v 4d ( love does not parade itself,)

       Even when you want to tell the world about your

       accomplishments. Love does not flaunt itself boastfully and

       does not engage in self-glorification. Instead, love lifts and

       builds up others. (Exceptions allowed for grandchildren)

E.   Love Is Not Arrogant.     v 4e (is not puffed up) Even when

       you think you are right and others are wrong. Love does not

       assert itself or become overbearing in dealing with others.

Illustration

A young girl broke up with her boy friend, but then wrote him a beautiful letter apologizing. Then she put a

P. S. Congratulations on wining the 1 Million dollar lottery

F.   Love Does Not Act Rudely.    v 5a Even when being boastful,

       rude or overbearing will get you attention and allow you to get

       your own way. Love conforms to what is right, fitting and

       appropriate to the situation in order to honor the Lord.

G.   Love Does Not Seek Its own. v 5b      Biblical love is not

       selfish and self seeking. True Love does not try to fulfill its

       own desires, does not ask for its own way, and does not try to

       acquire gain for itself. Love, is an act of the will which seeks

       to serve and not be served.

H.   Love Is Not Provoked. v 5c Even when others attempt to provoke you or you are tempted to strike out at something or someone. Love is not aroused or incited to outbursts of anger. Love continues faithfully and gently to train others in righteousness, even when they fail.

I.    Love Thinks No Evil. v 5d Even when everyone seems to be against you or when people openly attack you. Love does not hold a grudge against someone. Love forgives, chooses not to bring up past wrongs in accusation or retaliation, does not return evil for evil, and does not indulge in self pity. Love covers a multitude of sins.

J.    Love Does Not Rejoice In Iniquity. v 6a Even when it

       seems like a misfortune was exactly what another person

       deserved. Love mourns over sin, its effects and the pain which

       results from living in a fallen world. Love seeks to reconcile

       others with the Lord.

K.   Love Rejoices In Truth. v 6b Even when it is easier and more profitable materially to lie. Love is joyful when truth is known, even when it may lead to adverse circumstances, reviling and persecution.

L.   Love Bears All Things. v 7a Even when disappointments seem overwhelming. Love is tolerant, endures with others who are difficult to understand or deal with, and has an eternal perspective in difficulties. Love remembers that God develops spiritual maturity through difficult circumstances.

M.  Love Believes All Things. v 7b Even when other's actions are ambiguous and you feel like not trusting anyone. Love accepts trustfully, does not judge people's motives, and believes others until facts prove otherwise. Even when facts prove that the other person is untrustworthy, love seeks to help restore the other to trustworthiness.

N.   Love Hopes All Things. v 7c Even when nothing appears to be going right. Love expects fulfillment of God's plan and

       anticipates the best for the other person. Love confidently

       entrusts others to the Lord to do His sovereign and perfect will

       in their lives.

O.   Love Endures All Things. v 7c This is one of the hardest to

       practice. Especially when you think you just can't endure the

       people or circumstances in your life. Love remains steadfast

       under suffering or hardship without yielding and returns good

       while undergoing trials.

P.   Love Never Fails. v 8a   Even when you feel overwhelmed

       and the situation seems hopeless. Love will not crumble under

       pressure or difficulties. Love remains selflessly faithful even

       to the point of death.

Love With The Biblical . . Characteristics Of Love.

Illustration

The Pittsburgh Penguins had been hockey's worst team. But, from 1984 to 1997, the team experienced a dramatic turnaround, thanks mostly to the Hall-of-Fame-caliber play of six-time scoring champion Mario Lemieux. The Penguins' success culminated with back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 1991 and 1992.

In the late 90's, though, the Penguins' fortunes took a turn for the worse again. In 1999 it seemed that this NHL team had hit bottom, with no chance of recovery. The team battled financial troubles for several years, and would become the first professional sports team in 25 years to be forced to file for federal bankruptcy protection. The team owed $32.5 million in deferred compensation to Lemieux alone! It seemed that the only alternative was to tear the franchise down, move it to a new city and start all over again. At the last moment, though, Lemieux stepped in with a new plan. Essentially, Lemieux's plan was: "The money you owe me? Forget it. "There is one condition, though: I want to own the team." And so, on June 24, 1999, Lemieux became the first pro sports player to become a pro sports owner.

Even though the cash value of the Penguins franchise ($20 million) is far less than the actual compensation owed Lemieux, he is willing to "forgive" (his words!) the remaining debt--in exchange for becoming the owner. The Lord is willing to forgive the debt of human sin--but in exchange He expects to "own" your life, and be not only your Savior but your Lord and Owner as well.

Source: excite.com, nhl.com, 6/24/1999.