Sermon: How to Grow Abundantly in Loving One Another
How do we as a church learn to genuinely love one another? How do we develop a culture in our church where we naturally have brotherly and sisterly affection for each other? What does that kind of church even look like? In our Western culture, our individualistic culture- how do we become a church full of people with love in our hearts for each other? We know what the opposite of that kind of church looks like don’t we? We have heard of the horror stories of church splits. We have heard of believers splitting the church over the color of the carpet, what side the piano should go on. We have heard of believers splitting churches over pet theological agendas- the isms and onlys. I would say those kinds of churches have no idea what it means to have brotherly and sisterly affection for one another, they have no idea what it means to love (to agape) one another. Well pastor, we are not that kind of church- and I would agree we are not that kind of church- at least not to that level. But do we really love one another? Do we have the affection that you would show toward a sibling (a brother or a sister), do you have that kind of affection for everyone here in this local church? Now, maybe you do for some people in this church. But, maybe there are people in this church that you have seen for years and years and yet they are essentially still strangers to you. You don’t really know them and you probably don’t really love them. Just ask yourself this question- when was the last time God burdened your heart for someone in this church to pray as earnestly as possible for them. Have you ever prayed that way for someone in this church? How many of the people in this church have you prayed for that way? Why do you think that is? Now, I am not saying that this is an unloving church- exactly the opposite. You constantly amaze me by the love that you do show- especially in the area of giving. But, have we stagnated in our love? Is our love for one another growing abundantly? How exactly does God want us to love each other? How do we even go about creating that kind of culture in our church? Don’t you want to be part of a church that is excelling all the time and growing in love? I think Paul tells the church of the Thessalonians how to do exactly that in I Thessalonians 4:9-12. Briefly I want you to remember the context of this part of Paul’s letter. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV 1900 10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? How? 1 Thessalonians 4:2 KJV 1900 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. The first series of commands that Paul reminds them of have to do with the idea of sanctification in vv. 3-8. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV 1900 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Now, Paul moves on to the topic of love in vv. 9-12. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to urge them to continually keep growing abundantly in their love for one another. Beloved, we must also continually keep on growing abundantly in our love for one another as a local church. How do we do that? How do we always grow abundantly in our love for each other? Paul shows us three truths that we must believe and put into practice on a daily basis if we are to continually keep on growing abundantly in our love for one another. I. If we are going to grow abundantly in our love for one another we must constantly be taught by God to love one another (vv. 9-10a) 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 KJV 1900 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; A. Brotherly affection for one another is an organic byproduct of being taught by God to love one another (v. 9) 1 Thessalonians 4:9 KJV 1900 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 9 Now concerning brotherly affection you have no need for anyone to write unto you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, I find this incredible that Paul cay say- on the topic of treating one another with brotherly and sisterly affection- I DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU ANYTHING! That means that the Thessalonian church was such a healthy church, they were such a thriving church that all of the believers had this sibling like affection for all of the other believers in the church. There were no clicks or divisions or conflicts or arguments! Paul said- you are already doing it so well that I don’t have to tell you anything! That is remarkable. And it is unique! |