LOVE DEFINED

LOVE DEFINED
1 John 3:16 - 24

I John exhort us to pursue a life of fellowship with God characterized by truth and love.

Christianity is stained by professing Christians with a love that is shallow.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34 NIV

Love is the most significant attribute Christians can offer the world.

I. LOVE IS SHOWN THROUGH SACRIFICE

Christ willingly laid down His life so that we could have a personal, one-on-one, heart-to-heart relationship with God.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. I John 3:16 NIV

Love is something you do by sacrificing for others.

II. LOVE IS SHOWN THROUGH GIVING

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? I John 3:17 NIV

A generously man gave anonymously because he wanted the person to not be dependant on him but to depend on God.

Stewardship is using God given abilities to manage God given resources, to accomplish God ordained results.

If you are committed to showing God's love to others by giving, God will give you something to give.

III. LOVE IS SHOWN THROUGH OUR ACTIONS.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18 NIV

Actions that demonstrate love
1. Love is Verbal
2. Love is Physical
3. Love is Patient
4. Love is Attentive
5. Love is Grateful
6. Love is Generous
7. Love is Honorable

Love doesn't abuse! You can't say you love someone and constantly disregard, ignore, belittle, or demean them.

Love is treating someone with kindness and respect.

"If God had a refrigerator; your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and he chose your heart... Face it, He’s crazy about you." Max Lucado