Messes & Masterpieces: Loving from the Music of the Gospel

Messes and Masterpieces: Loving from the Music of The Gospel

1 John 3:10-18

5-26-19    

1 John 4:10 - “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

We show that we are not children of God by an:

I. Absence of Love (1 John 3:10-12)

Two roots of hatred and it’s antidote:

1. Anger

a. Righteous(John 2:17)

b. Healthy(Ephesians 4:26)

c. Unrighteous(Matthew 5:21-22)

Matthew 5:21-22 - “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment; whoever insultshis brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

2. Apathy

Agape Love- God’s eternal and sacrificial love that obtains God’s glory and our good. 

II. Savior of Love.  (1 John 3:13-18)

’Dance Steps’ fueled by will-power won’t last long.

‘Successfully Executed Dance Steps’ from will-power make you less loving, not more.

Matthew 25:40-42 - “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them you did it to Me… yet I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink.”

1 John 3:16 - “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Discussions for the Week

1. Read 1 John 3:10-18. Where does this passage expose sin in your heart?

2. Review the five steps below that can express our love. Which of these areas feels the hardest? Which seems like the most natural next step? (Is there another that comes to mind?)

~ Forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32) - When you experience His love…And are wronged, it still stings, but because you’re living in the depths of Christ’s forgiveness, it doesn’t destroy you. Christ has paid your (and their) debt.

~ Proclaiming Christ to Unbelievers (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) - When you experience His love. And encounter unbelievers, you don’t feel pressure as if you have to save them but are free to be a witness to what He’s done for you. Your conversation isn’t a dreary duty, but an act of worship recalling His proven love on the cross for you!

~ Giving (2 Corinthians 8:9) - When you experience His love…Financial requests feel less like burdens, and more like opportunities to dispense His riches.

~ Entering into community with vulnerability (Ephesians 2:16-17) - When you experience His love. And consider a new community, there may still be some fears, but because at the cross He proved His love for you and abolished every dividing hostility, you have nothing to prove and can bring your real self.

~ Prayer (Romans 8:32) - When you experience His love…And circumstances become overwhelming, because God has proven faithful, you know you can ask Him anything. He didn’t hold back His Son from you, is there any good thing He would withhold?