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God's People Are To Love One AnotherIntroduction:
1. We have recently studied 13 great themes that are emphasized throughout the Bible. 2. In this lesson we are concentrating on another important theme: "God's people are to love one another." 3. We are examining passages that are found in the writings of John, Paul, and Peter. Discussion: I. THE WRITINGS OF JOHN A. John is often called "the apostle of love." 1. John referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). 2. John wrote at length about God's love as well as the love that God's people are to have for one another. B. John referred to God's instruction for His people to love one another as: 1. a "commandment" (1 John 3:23) 2. "an old commandment" that has been taught "from the beginning" (1 John 2:7; 3:11) 3. "a new commandment" (John 13:34; 15:12, 17). C. John explained how a person's response to this commandment determines whether: 1. he is a disciple of the Lord (John 13:35) 2. he is in light or darkness (1 John 2:9-10) 3. he is a child of God or the devil (1 John 3:10) 4. he is in life or death (1 John 3:14) 5. he knows God (1 John 4:7-8) 6. God dwells in him (1 John 4:11-12) 7. he loves God (1 John 4:20-21). II. THE WRITINGS OF PAUL A. Romans 12:10 B. 1 Corinthians 13:13; 16:14 C. Galatians 5:22-23 D. Ephesians 5:1-2 E. Philippians 2:1-2 F. Colossians 3:14 G. Hebrews 13:1 III. THE WRITINGS OF PETER A. 1 Peter 1:22 B. 2 Peter 1:5-7 | ||