07-15-12 PM - Marked by Love

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1 John 3:10-17 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

1. You have experienced God’s love.

2. Have you turned from your sin?

3. Does love mark our lives?

1. Love reveals our true nature

(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.  
John is saying that righteousness is defined by love.

Love is righteous deeds in action.

2. Love has always been the message
 (11) For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.                                                  

3. Love goes against the world

(12-13) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Matt. 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.                

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

4. Love gives life not death

(14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death

-A person who has not partaken of Christ is spiritually dead.
 John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

-A person who waists his life in riotous living is spiritually dead.
Lk. 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.                                                  

–A person who lives in sin is said to be spiritually dead.
 Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

- A person who is alienated from God is said to be spiritually dead.
Eph. 4:18-19 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

–A person who sleeps in sin is spiritually dead.
Eph. 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.                                                                                                      

– A person who lives for pleasure is dead while he lives.
1Tim. 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.                                    

– A person who does religious works is dead.
Rev. 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

5. Love cannot hate
(15) Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.                                                                                          

Matthew 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

“Love is the only security against hate. And as everyone who does not love is potentially a hater, so every hater is potentially a murderer. A murderer is a hater that has expressed his feelings in the most emphatic way. But the tempter of the two is the same.”

1John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

6. Love reciprocates Christ’s love
(16) Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.                                                            

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

7. Loves expresses compassion
(17) But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

 “Worlds Goods” -  necessities of life, livelihood, or the means to sustain life.

Acts 20:35b … It is more blessed to give than to receive.                                                                      

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