The King's Church in Ilford
The following is the text of the talk given on 4th January 2009 by David Sansum
"The New Commandment - Love One Another"
Reading: John 15:12; John 13:34; 1 John 4:19; Hebrews 10:24
Happy New Year!
Three primary principles that we are to live by:
- The Greatest Commandment - Love God
- The New Commandment - Love one another
- The Great Commission - Make disciples
The importance of Fellowship
In terms of our conduct, love is the most important issue in our lives.
John 15: 12"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14"You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 13: 34"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
1. How can we fulfil Christ's command to love one another if we are out of fellowship?
2. If we do not love one another we do not love God. If we do not love one another we will not succeed in making disciples.
1 John 4: 19We love, because He first loved us. 20If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
Therefore…
Hebrews 10: 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
The importance of togetherness
Christians fellowship is…
A Body - we care for our bodies
Ephesians 4: 15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
1 Corinthians 12 goes into more detail of the importance of every part of the body valuing and caring for each other. Each part performing a different function in a common purpose. It is about unity, not differences (note the issues at the church at that time - 1 Cor 1:9-11, 1 Cor 14). Love is the measure of maturity.
A Temple - God dwells among us
Ephesians 2: 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
A Family - We look out for one another. God's children. Brothers. The Bride of Christ.
Let me tell you about my children…
Most of the time our children are happy, giggling, positive people, a joy to be around. Sometimes they are tired, hungry and consequently…grumpy. This can be a little frustrating. We still believe good things about them. We are still on their side.
1 Corinthians 13: 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
An Army - Brother in arms, comrades advancing His Kingdom. Together on a mission (fellow workers). We are together in the purposes of God. Advancing the rule and reign of Jesus. But the hallmark of our army is love, peace and joy.
Friends - We have something great in common. Companions. I like my friends
Let me tell you about my best friend…
…My Wife. We love to spend time together. We speak well of one another. Our friendship is much bigger than any disagreements. Our love bears with one another's faults (I am annoying sometimes, and sometimes even worse…). Our love is bigger than our pride. Friendship is about being (companionship) and doing (helper).
Proverbs 17: 9, 17 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Let love be genuine
Romans 12: 9-13 9Let love be genuine. Abhor (Detest) what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
If love is genuine we are really pleased to see one another. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we have Christ in common, we should be fast friends. Smiling comes naturally when we see a friend (smile and say 'hi'). (Phil to demonstrate). Hospitality and inclusion, we want to spend time together. We really do one another good in word and deed.
Hilly Park - being really friendly, I was new in the area and had no friends (ah!). A warm greeting and an invitation to join their meeting was just what I was looking for.
Let me tell you about Pulse…
I am really pleased to see them. It is a joy to work with them. If we disagree, we are still friends.
Philippians 1: 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
We will say goodbye to some this year, after several years together. We are not just saying goodbye to capable co-workers. We are saying goodbye to friends.
Together on a Mission - In team sports success requires real togetherness
British Cycling - how to slip steam (the whole message all really just a thinly disguised ploy to show and talk about things I love).
We cannot succeed in the mission if we cannot be together. Relationship is the mission.
