Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, GA.

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Text: 1 John 4:20

Introduction The philosophy of this age is that people don't love others because they don't love themselves. I disagree. People love themselves. I believe that people don't love others because they don't love God.
 

1. Love is a commandment we obey

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

2. Love is a choice we make

a. Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
b. Notice that they LEFT their LOVE. Their love did not leave them. If you have lost your love, it is still where you left it. It didn't go anywhere.

3. Love is a concern we have a. Love primarily is a desire to give to another that which God would have them to have.

4. Love is a commitment we keep

The first commandment is to love God with all your heart. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Don't get the cart ahead of the horse. Love God first, and you will find it easier to love others next. The HARD part is loving GOD. Do the hard task first, and the rest will seem easy.

Theme: If you Love God:

I. It is Easier to Love other Christians

1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

If you love God, then you should realize that you and other Christians

    A. Have a common family, so love them!

    B. Have common faults, so love them!

    C. Have a common future, so love them!
 

Theme: If you Love God:

I. It is Easier to Love other Christians

II. It is Easier to Love your Critics

Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

If you love the Lord Jesus Christ more than you love yourself, think about how HE feels about your critics.

    A. Jesus died for them, so love them

    B. Jesus desires their salvation, so love them

    C. Jesus depends on you to reach them, so love them
 
 

 Theme: If you Love God:

I. It is Easier to Love other Christians

II. It is Easier to Love your Critics

III. It is Easier to Love your Companion

Malachi 2:14-16 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

    A. God has given you your companion for
        companionship, so love your companion!

Note: Your best friend should be your spouse. If you love God, you will see to it that it is so.

    B. God has given you your companion for
        completion, so love your companion!

            1. Men need wives for a help

            2. Ladies need husbands for a head

            3. God intends for you to have your spouse to be complete!

    C. God has given you your companion in
        a covenant, so love your companion!

            1. Marriage vows should be kept

            2. Marriage should be a picture of the relationship of Jesus Christ to His church, and His church
                is eternally secure and eternally His!

            3. If you don't love your spouse, you are breaking your covenant with man and with God!
 

Theme: If you Love God:

 I. It is Easier to Love other Christians

II. It is Easier to Love your Critics

III. It is Easier to Love your Companion
 

IV. It is Easier to Love your Children

Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

    A. God gave them for happiness, so love them!

Note: A happy man has his quiver full (children are compared to arrows, or a man's weapons)

    B. God gave them for help, so love them!

Note: If you train your children right, you won't find a better helper for mother than the children as they get older.

    C. God gave them for holiness, so love them!

Note: God unites men and women in marriage to produce a godly seed, according to Malachi 2:15.

(Mal 2:15) And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Conclusion: Love God first, and you will be able to love others as you should. And remember:
 
1. Love is a commandment we obey

2. Love is a choice we make

3. Love is a concern we have

4. Love is a commitment we keep

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