Exhibiting True Love

Exhibiting True Love

Text: Rom. 12:9-21
Introduction:
Love plays a central role in the life of a Christian. Each one of us has opportunities on a daily basis to demonstrate love for others. In our text, Paul demonstrates how one can demonstrate what is known as true or real love. With some, love is simply a fabrication. Love is something that we can and must learn in order to be pleasing to God!

I. Where does True Love Begin?
    A. By submitting ourselves to God!
        1. Rom. 12:1-2 - must put ourselves in God's hands.
        2. Deut. 28:9; 30:10; Rom. 6:3-13 - been expected of mankind from the beginning!
        3. Mt. 23 - Pharisees didn't submit to God and were condemned!
        4. Acts 16:14; 2 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 3:8; 4:7 - must follow in the example of these!
    B. Within ourselves. - Rom. 12:3
II. How is True Love Exemplified?
    A. Rom. 12:9 reveals two key characteristics of love. Must observe & apply!
        1. v. 9a - true love is not hypocritical.
        2. v. 9b - true love is discriminatory.
    B. We are to put our love to work! Notice the following directives:
        1. v. 10a - devotion. Demonstrate true affection for one another!
        2. v. 10b - unselfishness - give preference to one another. See Phil. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:12
        3. v. 11 - enthusiasm - a fervent spirit as we serve God!
        4. v. 12a - hopefulness - Christians have every reason to hope. See 1 Jhn. 3:1-3
        5. v. 12b - consistency - stands through adversity & trial.
        6. v. 12c - prayerfulness - true love demonstrates care through prayer.
        7. v. 13a - generosity - help brethren w/their various needs.
        8. v. 13b - hospitality - not only w/brethren but w/strangers as well.
III. Why is true love not exemplified by some?
    A. It is a fact that love is not exemplified as it should be in the church & without the church.
        1. Fault lies w/man - not God! We have no excuse!
    B. Fear.
        1. Some fear of being rejected, hurt, ignored, etc.
        2. Key: remember God respects us as long as we do His will!
    C. A sense of passiveness.
        1. Some are not very motivated to show/demonstrate love.
        2. What if Christ had this attitude?
    D. We become preoccupied.
        1. Too busy; don't want to interrupt our lives/family/etc.
        2. Love is a bother & interruption. Look at the cross!

How is your love for God?
Are you exhibiting true love? Have you stopped exhibiting true love?



Exhibiting True Love Text: Rom. 12:9-21 Introduction: Love plays a central role in the life of a Christian. Each one of us has opportunities on a daily basis to demonstrate love for others. In our text, Paul demonstrates how one can demonstrate what is known as true or real love. With some, love is simply a fabrication. Love is something that we can and must learn in order to be pleasing to God! I. Where does True Love Begin? A. By submitting ourselves to God! 1. Rom. 12:1-2 - must put ourselves in God's hands. 2. Deut. 28:9; 30:10; Rom. 6:3-13 - been expected of mankind from the beginning! 3. Mt. 23 - Pharisees didn't submit to God and were condemned! 4. Acts 16:14; 2 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 3:8; 4:7 - must follow in the example of these! B. Within ourselves. - Rom. 12:3 II. How is True Love Exemplified? A. Rom. 12:9 reveals two key characteristics of love. Must observe & apply! 1. v. 9a - true love is not hypocritical. 2. v. 9b - true love is discriminatory. B. We are to put our love to work! Notice the following directives: 1. v. 10a - devotion. Demonstrate true affection for one another! 2. v. 10b - unselfishness - give preference to one another. See Phil. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:12 3. v. 11 - enthusiasm - a fervent spirit as we serve God! 4. v. 12a - hopefulness - Christians have every reason to hope. See 1 Jhn. 3:1-3 5. v. 12b - consistency - stands through adversity & trial. 6. v. 12c - prayerfulness - true love demonstrates care through prayer. 7. v. 13a - generosity - help brethren w/their various needs. 8. v. 13b - hospitality - not only w/brethren but w/strangers as well. III. Why is true love not exemplified by some? A. It is a fact that love is not exemplified as it should be in the church & without the church. 1. Fault lies w/man - not God! We have no excuse! B. Fear. 1. Some fear of being rejected, hurt, ignored, etc. 2. Key: remember God respects us as long as we do His will! C. A sense of passiveness. 1. Some are not very motivated to show/demonstrate love. 2. What if Christ had this attitude? D. We become preoccupied. 1. Too busy; don't want to interrupt our lives/family/etc. 2. Love is a bother & interruption. Look at the cross! How is your love for God? Are you exhibiting true love? Have you stopped exhibiting true love?