July 21, 2019 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: Ephesians 5:1-2
The L.A.W. of Love
Ephesians 5:1-2: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Matthew 22:37-40: “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands hang all the law and the prophets.”
Why don’t we love?
The Solution: 1 John 4:18
THE L.A.W. of LOVE
“live a life of love” To L in love.
1. Understand: Love is the believer’s b .
- My ‘Seal’ 1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them”
- We live from positional love. Love: Born of God – Breathed of God.
- It is ‘sealed!’ A done deal! 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“just as Christ loved us” To A in love.
2. Understand: Love is the believer’s b .
- My ‘Identity’ John 13:35 “By this all men will know you are my disciples if you
love one another.”
- John 15:9-10 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now abide (remain) in my love. If you keep my commands, you will abide (remain) in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and abide (remain) in his love.”
- John 15:5 “if a man abides...” Best demonstrated as a branch, first lives, then
abides, and then bears fruit.
“and gave himself up for us“ To W in love.
3. Understand: Love is the believer’s b .
- My ‘Standard’ John 15:13 “No greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
- Love’s transition: James 1:22 Jesus put his love in action – he acted – dying on the cross.
- Agape is God’s highest inspiration & greatest motivation. John 3:16
- Love is an act of obedience–of motivation–the greatest motivation. John 14:15
The L.A.W. of Love:
It will transform your heart, it will transform your love, it will transform your life!