BROTHERLY LOVE            Back to Sermon Links

TEXT:  1John 4:7-21
Introduction:
	A. Much has been written about brotherly love by religionists.
		1. Some of it is even based on scripture.
		2. Too easy to inject one's socio-politico-economic
		   views.
	B. More accurate to ask, "What has God said on this matter?".

I. WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?
	A. 1John 4:7-21
		1. Vs 7-8 - What does this pretty saying really mean?
			a. God is the essence of the meaning of love; 
			   when love is mentioned, one thinks of God.
		2. Vs 9-10 - Why does God love us?!
			a. John 3:16 - Again, why?!
			b. Genesis 1:26-27 - In physical appearance, 
			   or in nature of our spirit?
			c. What is one of the deepest, strongest needs 
			   in human kind, but to love and be loved.
			d. If we are patterned after God, don't you 
			   suppose we received that characteristic 
			   from Him?
			e. He sees in us beings that He can love and 
			   who have the potential to love Him in 
			   return.
		3. John's whole discourse is making the point that 
		   because love is God's nature, it should be His 
		   children's as well.
			a. Vs 12 - When we learn to love one another, 
			   the product of God's love in us becomes 
			   complete.
		4. Vs 16-19 - Love has laws that govern its nature.
			a. Gravity, gases have laws.
			b. One law of love is that if it is real, it 
			   naturally generates a response in kind.
		5. Vs 20-21 - A second law of love, a true test.
	B. Hebrews 13:1-2 - paradoxical manifestation of brotherly 
	   love.
	C. John 15:12-17
	D. Romans 13:8-10
	E. Galatians 5:13-15 - Like attitudes beget like actions.
	F. James 2:8 - The difference between professing and 
	   performing.
	G. 1Thes. 4:9-10
	H. 1Peter 1:22 - One naturally follows the other.
	I. 1Peter 3:8-9 - "You were called to this"!?!
	J. 1John 3:10 - Welded to righteousness.
		1. Vs 11-12 - That what God has been trying to tell us 
		   from the beginning of the Bible!
		2. Vs 14 - I cannot be saved without loving my 
		   brother.
		3. Vs 16-18 - God wants to see our love manifested.
			a. Just like faith must have works.
		4. Vs 23 - John's new gospel?  "He that believeth and 
		   loveth his brother shall be saved"?
			a. The next step after being baptized.

II. WHAT HAS THE WORD REVEALED TO US?
	A. That my brother doesn't have to be worthy, in my eyes, of 
	   my love.
		1. Romans 5:8 - Was I ever worthy of God's love?
	B. I cannot be reconciled to the Father without being 
	   reconciled to the rest of the family.
	C. God will not hear my prayers, if I do not love my brother.
		1. 1John 3:18-23 - Like talking on a hung up phone.
	D. If I do not love my brother, I can't go to heaven.
		1. 1John 2:9-11, 3:15, 4:20;  Rev. 21:8.

III. BROTHERLY LOVE IS:
	A. The heart of Christianity.
		1. The center of the law; the greatest commandment.
		2. Phil. 2:1-5
	B. The badge of Christianity - John 13:35.
	C. The 11th commandment - 1John 2:8.
		1. The basis of ever commandment God ever gave to man.
	D. The hope of Christianity - John 17:20-21.
		1. "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
	E. The unpayable debt - 1John 4:9-11.
	F. The warmth of the Church - brotherly love is a visible 
	   attractor.
	G. A spiritual magnet - John 12:32.
		1. "And I, if I be lifted up..."
		2. Love attracts people who need to love and be loved.

Conclusion:
	A. If you do nothing else, love God and your brother;  the 
	   rest will eventually, naturally follow.
	B. 1Corinthians 13