Sermon on 23 February 2025 by Pastor Gaius
Introduction
To be disciples of Jesus, we have to love. It is not an option; it is a commandment. Jesus wants us to love one another, just as how He has loved us.
Message
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35
There are various types of love: eros (passion), storge (familiar), phileo (friendship), and agape (charity). In agape love, there is a component of sacrifice.
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” - Luke 10:25-28
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. - 1 John 3:23
If we do not love, we stay in death, and we are separated from God.
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - 1 John 3:10-18
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, - Philippians 2:1-5
How do we love the way that Jesus loved?
1. Doing to help in truth. Take action.
2. Directing people towards the true life. Love the soul. Jesus did not take care of only our daily needs, but He yearns for us to draw near to the Father. Share the gospel.
3. Deliberating with the mind of Christ. In Matthew 5:43, Jesus gave us the command on how to love. We are to love even our enemies - those who oppress us and make us suffer. God sends us blessings regardless whether we are good or not (Matthew 5:45). Even people who do not know Jesus can do good. Some pre-believers behave better than Christians. But God holds us to higher standards.
Closing
Being a Christian is not about religious practices; it is a way of life. Let us love with our minds and hearts.
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