INTRODUCTION

1. Many lessons have been learned about Love

a) God’s love for Israel

b) The Lord Jesus’ love for His Disciples

c) Love was so natural

2. A special Commandment was given by the Lord Jesus

a) He commanded His disciples to love one another

b) Why was it necessary to speak of love as a commandment?

 

THE SAD REALITY

1. Mankind has been affected adversely:

a) By Sin

b) By Self

c) By Satan

d) By the World

2. The effects of Sin upon Mankind

a) Love is not a natural thing

b) The natural tendency:

i) To be selfish and self-centred

ii) To take things for granted

iii) To make demands of others

iv) To be unappreciative

v) To find fault with others

vi) To despise people

 

THE STRUGGLES OF THE DISCIPLES

1. They were individualistic

2. They had difficulties with each other

3. They vied for leadership roles

4. They thought of their own interests

5. They had their own hidden agenda

 

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

1. A Commandment

a) It has to be understood

b) It has to be obeyed

2. The Commandment to Love one another

a) Personal sins must be dealt with

b) Problems would have to be resolved

c) Practical solutions have to be found

d) The Lord’s commandment must be obeyed

e) But how may this commandment be fulfilled?

 

FULFILLING THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

1. Pondering the Commandment

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

a) It is stated as a Commandment

b) As the Lord Jesus has loved us, we must love one another

c) We prove ourselves as disciples if this love is practised

2. Pondering this Commandment further

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” John 14:15

a) We need to check if we truly love the Lord Jesus

b) If this love is true, then we keep His commandments

3. Pondering this Commandment yet further

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love,

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:9-10

a) We are to abide in the love of the Lord Jesus

b) If we keep His commandments, we will abide in His love

c) The example of the Lord Jesus abiding in God’s love is to be an important focus

4. The Problem of not keeping this Commandment

a) We may not truly love the Lord Jesus

b) We may not be keeping His commandments

c) We may not be truly abiding in His love

 

CONCLUSION

1. Let us confront our problem of a lack of love

2. Let us confess our sins

3. Let us seek Cleansing

4. May we be filled with a genuine love for the Lord Jesus!