THE
SAME LOVE I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Philippians 1:27, 2:2 - Loving each other is part of a life worthy of the Gospel. 2. Ephesians 4:15-16 - When each member loves, the body is built up. 3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; John 13:34-35 - Love is understood and defined by what it does and does not do, and by the life and death of Jesus. 4. 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 5:5 - We are able to love because we've been given the Spirit of love from God. 5. 1 John 2:8-10, 1:5-7; Philippians 2:15 - As we love one another, we walk in the light of God, and become lights to a crooked, perverse world. 6. 1 John 4:12 - Growing in love is a process. 7. 1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14 - We can love as a result of knowing and experiencing God's love for us. II. MAIN THEME - Because loving one another is the second great command, Matthew 22:39, we can expect to learn how to love in many ways. 1. By letting the Scriptures define love with words - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 2. By seeing Jesus live a life of love: a. As a humble Lord and servant setting an example to his betrayer, denier and deserters - John 13:1-39. b. By letting go, emptying himself, becoming... - Philippians 2:6-8. c. By serving helpless, ungodly sinners and enemies - Romans 5:5-10. 3. By considering God - 1 John 3:13-18, 4:7-21, especially 4:8,16. 4. From the Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22 III. APPLICATION 1. Since growing in love is a process, start with small acts of love - Matthew 25:21. 2. Spend time with those "good" at loving others - 1 Corinthians 11:1. 3. Look at Jesus loving people in the Gospels - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. 4. Remember, as you love others, you will be comforted - Philippians 2:1. 5. As you continue to love one another, God will help you grow - 1 John 4:12. 6. If it's hard to love others, meditate on God's love for you - 1 John 4:19. IV. MEMORY VERSE - Philippians 2:2 |