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People of Love
Introduction:
1. According to the Scriptures, the Lord's followers are to be: a. "people of faith" (Hebrews 10:38) b. "people of hope" (1 Peter 1:3). 2. We learn from Ephesians 5:1-2 that the Lord's followers are also to be "people of love." 3. In this lesson we are concentrating on passages that reveal the Lord's instructions concerning "love." Discussion: I. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LOVE GOD (Matthew 22:35-38) A. God is to be loved with all the heart, soul, and mind. B. Jesus identified loving God as "the first and great commandment." C. Loving God in the true sense includes obeying His commandments (1 John 5:3). II. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LOVE HIM A. Jesus said that we are to love Him more than anyone, including parents and children (Matthew 10:37). B. True love for Christ includes obeying His commandments (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:9-10). III. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LOVE NEIGHBORS (Matthew 22:39-40) A. Jesus identified loving neighbors as the second great commandment. B. Loving neighbors involves fulfilling our responsibilities to them. 1. The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) is the practical application of loving neighbors as self. 2. Jesus illustrated the meaning of loving neighbors in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). IV. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LOVE ENEMIES (Matthew 5:43-48) A. Jesus practiced what He preached when He was: 1. arrested (Matthew 26:51-53) 2. crucified (Luke 23:34). B. Additional instructions are given in Romans 12:17-21. C. Stephen practiced the Lord's instructions (Acts 7:57-60). V. JESUS TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER A. John 13:34-35 B. John 15:12-13, 17 | ||