Let Us Put On Love Above All These Things (Colossians 3:12-14)
Introduction:
1. This chapter begins by teaching us to seek things that are above and why we are to do so (vs.1-4). 2. We are taught in vs.5-11 to mortify and put off sinful activities and why we are to do so. 3. In vs.12-13 we are instructed to put on 7 special characteristics, including mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering [patience], forbearance, and forgiveness. 4. According to vs.14, we are to put on love "above all these things" -- it is described as "the bond of perfection." 5. In our lesson we are pointing out 7 reasons why we must put on love above all these things. Discussion: I. #1: LOVE IS A COMMAND OF CHRIST (John 13:34-35) II. #2: LOVE IS A COMPREHENSIVE COMMAND (Romans 13:8-10) III. #3: LOVE IS EVERLASTING (1 Corinthians 13:8a, 13) IV. #4: LOVE IS THE MOTIVATION FOR OUR SERVICE (1 Corinthians 13:3; Galatians 5:13-14) V. #5: LOVE WILL ELIMINATE MANY THINGS, INCLUDING:
A. people biting and devouring each other (Galatians 5:15) B. "hatred," a work of the flesh that will keep a person out of God's kingdom (Galatians 5:20) C. the sins listed in Galatians 5:26 [desire for vain glory, provocation, envy]. VI. #6: LOVE IS THE FIRST OF 9 CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE UP THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22-23) VII. #7: LOVE IS THE LAST OF 7 CHARACTERISTICS KNOWN AS "THE CHRISTIAN GRACES" (2 Peter 1:5-7) Conclusion:
1. Some very helpful instructions are given in Colossians 3. 2. Let us: a. seek those things that are above (vs.1-4) b. mortify and put off the sinful activities listed in vs.5-11 c. put on the 7 characteristics listed in vs.12-13 d. put on love above all these things -- it is the bond of perfection.
