John 13:34-35
Introduction:
1. Throughout this series we will consider various actions we must take or refrain from as members of one another.
2. The difficulty of such practices varies, but all demand a unifying principle to facilitate our successful application of the actions.
3. The NT teaches that love is that unifying principle (Colossians 3:14).
4. All other “one another” practice expresses our love for one another.
Discussion:
I. The Primacy of Love
A. Though all biblical principles are significant, some matters are weightier than others (Matthew 23:23).
B. Several key NT passages state that love is the principal thing.
1. It is the greatest command (Matthew 22:36-40).
2. It is the mark of a true disciple (John 13:35).
3. It is greater than spiritual gifts, faith, and hope (1 Corinthians 13).
4. It binds together all Christian virtues (Colossians 3:12-14).
5. It is the aim of sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:3-5).
6. It summarizes God’s nature (1 John 4:7-8).
C. God repeatedly commanded His people to love one another (John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:7ff).
II. The Products of Love
A. Paul beautifully described love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
1. Love is patient/longsuffering.
2. Love is kind/benevolent/benign.
3. Love is not envious/jealous.
4. Love is not boastful/proud/arrogant.
5. Love is not rude/unseemly.
6. Love is not self-seeking/selfish.
7. Love is not easily provoked/angered.
8. Love thinks no evil/keeps no account of wrongs done.
9. Love rejoices in truth, not iniquity.
10. Love bears/preserves all things.
11. Love believes all things/gives the benefit of the doubt.
12. Love hopes/expects the best in all things
13. Love endures all things/remains constant.
B. Paul showed love is the key to proper relationships (Romans 12:9-18; Ephesians 4:1-2; 5:24ff; Colossians 3:12-14).
C. John was clear that love demands action, not mere words.
1. Love prompts self-sacrifice (1 John 3:16).
2. Love drives us to meet one another’s needs (1 John 3:17-19).
3. Love prompts obedience to God (1 John 5:1-3; 2 John 5-6).
D. These passages show the real-life consequences of our love or lack thereof for one another.
III. The Precedent for Love
A. As with all commandments, God is not demanding that which He has not done or will not do.
B. Jesus demonstrated the kind of love He demands of His disciples (John 13:34-35; 15:12; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 3:16).
C. God is ultimately the source and template of our love for one another (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-12, 19).
D. Love flows from the Spirit of God in our lives (Galatians 5:22).
Conclusion:
1. Love is the most powerful force in existence.
2. Love prompted our holy God to extend mercy to us (Ephesians 2:4-9).
3. Love prompts our obedience to Him (John 14:15).
4. If we love one another as described above, every one of our needs will be met, and God will be glorified in our lives.
5. Furthermore, the world will know we belong to Him (John 13:35).