BACK TO THE BASICS - LOVE

Introduction

I.   It is easy to forget that love is a basic fundamental principle of the Christian faith.
     A.   "Love is the fairest flower that blooms in God's garden."
     B.   Matthew 22:34-40.

II.  This was not a new question; the scribes had been debating this for centuries.
     A.   They had documented 613 commandments in the Law - 248 positive and 365
          negative.
     B.   They then divided the commandments into "heavy" and "light" commandments.
          1.   A person could major on the "heavy" and not worry about the "light" ones
               (James 2:10).

III. In answering the question, Jesus quoted the "shema." (Deu 6:4).
     A.   It is a standard of faith that was recited daily by every orthodox Jew.
          1.   Where there is love, there will be service and obedience.

IV.  But love for God cannot be divorced from love for one's neighbor (Lev 19:18).
     A.   These two commandments were the foundation of the 10 Commandments.
     B.   If we have the right relationship with God, we will have no problem with His
          commandments (Rom 13:8).

V.   We want to think about love this morning:
     A.   A love for God and a love for neighbor.

Body

I.   LOVING GOD.
     A.   Loving God involves the total person (Mark 12:30).
          1.   Heart -- Loving God with all your emotions (Deu 10:12).
          2.   Soul -- Loving God with all your life (Rev 12:11).
          3.   Mind -- Loving God with all your intellect.
          4.   Strength -- Loving God with all your power (2 Ki 23:25).
     B.   Loving God is a response to God's love.
          1.   God loved us first (1 John 4:10).
               a.   "Herein" goes back to vs. 9.
          2.   God's love for us sent His Son to die for us (Rom 5:8; John 3:16; 1 John
               3:16).
               a.   Jesus voluntarily died for us (John 10:17-18).
          3.   God's love keeps us on the straight and narrow (Heb 12:5).
     C.   Loving God involves:
          1.   Obedience (John 14:15; 21; 31; 15:10; 1 John 5:3; Jude 21).
          2.   Sacrifice (Mat 16:24-25; Rom 12:1-2; Mat 6:33).
          3.   Commitment (2 Cor 11; Rev 2:10).
     D.   Loving God includes:
          1.   Loving the church.
               a.   We will keep it pure, doctrinally sound, and Christ-like in attitudes.
          2.   Loving the truth (Psa 119:97).
               a.   Men will perish if they don't have a love for the truth (2 Th 2:10).
          3.   Loving unity (Eph 4:3).
               a.   Too many have loved a good fight more than they have loved unity.
                    (1)  The Lord's church has been split over matter of opinion more
                         than matters of faith.
                         (a)  We must remember the plea of the restoration leaders.
                              i)   In matters of faith - unity; in matters of opinion
                                   - liberty; in all things - charity.
                         (b)  We must never be heretical (Titus 3:10-11).
                              i)   According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of
                                   Biblical Words "Heretic" is akin to hairsis
                                   which denotes "a choosing, choice; then, that
                                   which is chosen, and hence, an opinion,
                                   especially a self-willed opinion, which is
                                   substituted for submission to the power of
                                   truth, and leads to division and the foundation
                                   of sects; such erroneous opinions are
                                   frequently the outcome of personal preference
                                   or the prospect of advantage" (Rom 14).
                              ii)  If we love God, we will not allow opinions to
                                   divide us.

II.  LOVING NEIGHBOR.
     A.   Loving a neighbor begins with loving self.
          1.   We need to love ourselves because:
               a.   We're created in the image of God (Gen 1:27).
               b.   We're important to God and His church (Psa 8:4).
               c.   We're we eternally (1 Tim 2:4).
               d.   We're loved by God.
     B.   Loving a neighbor is also a response to God's love (John 13:34; 1 John 4:7).
     C.   Loving a neighbor involves:
          1.   Helping others (Gal 6:10).
          2.   Praying for one another (Jam 5:16).
          3.   Visit (Jam 1:27).
          4.   Share the gospel.
          5.   Forgiveness (1 Pet 4:8).
               a.   The Bible beautifully describes love (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
     D.   Loving a neighbor includes:
          1.   Loving my enemies (Mat 5:43-44).
               a.   This will help the enemy (Rom 12:19-21).
               b.   This will help us.
          2.   Loving sinners but hating sin.
          3.   Loving family.
          4.   Loving the brethren (1 Pet 1:22; 2:17).

Conclusion

I.   What is the greatest commandment?
     A.   To love God with all your being.
     B.   And the 2nd is like it -- love your neighbor.

II.  This kind of love must be demonstrated.
     A.   "Love is more easily demonstrated than defined."


**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/