Love Among Believers
Love Among Believers4
Being Born Again, Not of Corruptible Seed
By C.H. Spurgeon0JHN 3:3ROM 8:172CO 5:17GAL 4:7EPH 2:19PHP 3:201PE 1:221PE 2:92PE 1:41JN 3:1C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of loving one another with a pure heart, drawing from the divine nature bestowed upon believers as heirs of God. He compares Christians to royalty, highlighting their noble birth from incorruptible seed and their immortal destiny, which should inspire them to live with dignity and holiness. Spurgeon urges believers to recognize their elevated status and to conduct themselves accordingly, avoiding worldly behaviors and embracing their identity as a chosen people. The sermon calls for a deep understanding of one's regenerated nature and the responsibilities that come with it.
Fitted Together
By K.P. Yohannan01KI 18:31MAT 18:20MRK 6:7JHN 13:351PE 2:5K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of unity among believers, drawing parallels from the Old Testament where Elijah repaired the altar with 12 stones representing the tribes of Israel, highlighting that all were needed for God's power to be displayed. He illustrates that just as the stones in Solomon's temple were perfectly fitted together, so too are believers called to be united as living stones in God's spiritual temple. Yohannan stresses that the kingdom of God thrives on relationships and love, as demonstrated by Jesus' teachings on gathering in His name and loving one another. He concludes that disunity stems from a lack of love, and by embracing Jesus' command to love, believers can witness the kingdom of God manifest in their lives.
1 John 2:12
By John Gill0PSA 103:12ISA 43:25MAT 6:14JHN 3:16ROM 5:8EPH 4:32COL 3:13HEB 8:121JN 1:91JN 2:12John Gill emphasizes the message of forgiveness in 1 John 2:12, addressing all believers as 'little children' to highlight their shared experience of God's grace. He explains that this forgiveness is not based on human merit but is a gift from God through the sacrifice of Christ, encouraging believers to love one another as they have been loved. Gill points out that this commandment of love is essential for all Christians, regardless of their spiritual maturity, as they are all recipients of God's abundant mercy. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing our shared forgiveness and extending that grace to others.
Purifying Within (Communion Means Receiving God's "Unfeigned Love of the brethren.")
By Hans R. Waldvogel0MAT 5:8JHN 13:34ROM 13:101CO 13:1GAL 5:22EPH 4:2HEB 12:141PE 1:221JN 3:31JN 4:7Hans R. Waldvogel emphasizes the necessity of purifying our hearts to embody the unfeigned love of the brethren, as commanded by Jesus. He reflects on the importance of loving one another as Christ loved us, highlighting that true love goes beyond mere tolerance and requires a transformation of the heart. Waldvogel warns against the internal evils that can corrupt our love, urging believers to seek God's purifying love to cleanse their hearts. He encourages the congregation to desire this inner beauty and purity, reminding them that communion with God also means communion with one another in love. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt commitment to live out this divine love in our relationships.