L.I.F.E

L.I.F.E.
JOHN 13: 34 – 35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
What kind of love should we have for one another? Jesus says “love one another; as I have loved you.” Was he only saying this was love that the apostles were to have? Who were these men? Jesus says “ye are my disciples.” What is a disciple? Vines’ Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines disciple as a learner. Of this text he says, “( c ) of all who manifest that they are His disciples by abiding in His Word. This is the same word found in
1 Cor. 13: 1 – 13 ASV. Paul writes about love. The KJ says charity which is the same Greek word. Read with me what kind of love we are to have for one another in Christ.
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.
13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
This is the foundation of our lesson and the first point in the acrostic. LIFE.
I. LOVE – John 13: 34 We are commanded to love one another.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
This was new to the disciples with Jesus , but it is not new to us. We know how we are to treat one another, but do we do it?
A. Col. 3: 12 – 15 Paul writes to the Col. brethren (put on or cloth yourself)
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Can we bare with one another, forgive one another, and put on love? Do we even want to? One of the problems in the church of Christ is we don’t know one another. We see one another on Sunday. Some of you won’t even hear the send part of this lesson because you have convensed yourself you can con just Sunday morning and go to heaven. What scripture did you ever read that in? None.
B. 1 Peter 1: 22 - 23 Peter instructs us to love one another.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
This is to be a continual love. One that last day in and day out. In good days and bad. If we live and abide in the word of God we can do it. If we want this family of God to grow we must learn to love one another. This love will motivate us to…


II. INVOLMENT Rom. 12: 9 – 13 Paul clearly teaches involvement with each other in
brotherly love, preferring one another. Preferring one another over people in the world and this includes family that are lost in the world.
( sincerity, not hypocrisy )
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Caring for one another. Showing concern for one another when one is absent, sick, even away. Could we send a card, make a call or at least say we missed them when they get back. It feels good to be missed. We are not involved in one personal business, but let each other know we care. Not like the husband that told the marriage counselor, I told my wife I loved her when we got married and if I change my mind I’ll tell her. Let people know.
A. Acts 2 Shows an involvement in Christians lives one with another.
Verse 1 The apostles were together in one place. They spent time together.
1. Acts 2: 5 – 7 These devout Jews were amazed to hear their own language being spoken by Galileans.
5 ¶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
2. Acts 2: 14 Peter stands and speaks. With the eleven.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
3. Acts 2: 36 – 38 Peter preached unto them Jesus and they understood they needed to do something. When we preach Jesus today people will understand and want to do something. Either they will reject Christ or they will obey Christ, but not until we tell them of Jesus.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
B. Acts. 2: 39 – 40 This was not just for them, but for all who would obey Jesus Christ.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
C. Acts 2: 46 – 47 They continued their involvement in the church.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2 shows a people constantly meeting together and being involved in each other’s lives. This is part of what Christians do. Did you notice the word daily.
Why did the church multiply? Because they were working at it daily. Not just in fellowship but in teaching others. Having favor with all the people. What is favor? Graciousness, kindness, favor is given, deserved or earned.
Tonight we will finish Faith and Evangelism. If your not coming at least read the scriptures. What will you tonight? Watch T.V., Read a book, Work in the yeard,
Or just sit or sleep your life away. Preacher you can’t show me where the church met more than once on Sunday. That is right, But I can show you stronger Christians that attend Sunday night and Wednesday night as compared to weak Christians that don’t. I can show you elders and deacons and bible teachers that attend each service. I can tell you of faithful brethren that have passed on that were their examples. I can give you more scriptural reasons to attend than to not attend. I could go on and on, but it comes down to you and what you want to do.
You will do what you want to do, if all possible.
If you don’t come we will continue to pray for you. We will try to continue to teach you there is more to Christianity than what you are doing and receiving.
Oh yes you can find others that don’t come, but who are we living to please? People like us or God and Jesus Christ who died for us. Don’t try to please me. Vickie will tell you, you are wasting your time. Because I am human and every time you please me I will want more. We are never satisfied with one another, but God is spiritual and his plan is Holy and pure. He said If you love me keep my commandments. The inspired word says Forsake not the assembly as some are.
Now you guess which assemblies of the church are included. If you forsake to worship God you know God is not pleased. Tonight we will be here, Lord willing, to Worship God. Where will you be.
Do you need to be baptized or are you neglecting to do that also?
Do you to come today as a repentant Christian to ask prayer of you Christian family?
Will you come?






III. Faith – Heb. 11: 6 God requires faith.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

A. Luke 7: 6 – 9 Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Does Jesus marvel at our faith because it is so great?
B. Mark 6: 1 – 6 Jesus marveled at the faith he found when returning to his own country.
1 ¶ And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Do we marvel God by our lack of faith. Does he see us and say say oh ye of little faith?
C. Rom. 1: 16 – 17 Are we the faithful Christian Christ died for? Paul say:
16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
When we continue to grow in faith and knowledge of the scripture the more devoted and committed our lives will become in Christ Jesus. The world will see Christ in our lives and we will be well pleasing to God and he will not be ashamed of us.
IIII. Evangelism – 1 Peter 2: 9 the purpose of the church. The reason Christ established it with his own blood.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
A. Mark 16: 15 – 16 Jesus sent out his disciples before the church was ever established. The world needs to here the gospel today. Who will take it?
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
B. Philemon 1 – 6 Paul was thankful for the work being done in Phillippi.
1 ¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
C. Philemon 7 Paul’s prayer was that they may abound more and more.
9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
This should be our prayer for one another in the family here at Bartow.
D. Colossians 1: 3 – 6 Paul prayer for the brethren in Colossi.
3 ¶ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace .of God in truth:
Are we bringing forth fruit? If not why not?
Get in your LIFE zone ask your zone leader what you can do. Let him know you want to do more than wipe off tables after fellowship dinners. Young people and older people when was the last time you invited someone to come with you to bible class or worship or both? If you ask one person each day that would be 7 each week. That would be 30 to 31 each month and if 70 of us did it that could be 490 each week or 2100 each month. Just one a day. I’ll try if you will. No I’ll try even if you don’t. My salvation is my responsibility. If I am lost it is my own fault. Salvation is offered by Jesus Christ to all who will obey him. Being in this LIFE zone won’t save you but obeying Jesus Christ will help you grow in Love, Involvement, Faith and evangelism and this can help you to obey Jesus Christ and He will save you. Think about family. Do you need to obey Jesus Christ tonight in Baptism? Do you need to ask for prayers of this family of God? Do you need to respond. You know. Will you come?