Introduction

I love to the study God’s design for the church.
I love this church. Where else can you have Lang’s pad thai and Leisa banana pudding in the same meal. It just doesn’t happen outside of our church family.
Let’s not look at what makes our church unique maybe to other churches but lets look at what makes the church unique to anything in this world.
What is the greatest aspects of church is not what makes us unique to other churches but what makes us gloriously the same as all Gospel preaching churches.

1 John 3:11–24 (KJV 1900)

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

How do we know..

that we have passed from death unto life?
we are of the truth?
that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us?

Have we passed from death to life? If so we will love the brethren.

1 John 3:14 (KJV 1900)

14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

New life comes with a new walk.

We are to walk in the good works he has given us. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Contrast with that of Cain. 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

There’s just one Old Testament reference in this entire epistle and the only proper name.
How does Cain relate to the unloving. 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Cain was presented as a religious man

Cain and Abel had the same parents, Adam and Eve. T
They were raised in the same home.
They had the same influences.
They were called to the same God to offer sacrifice. They both brought sacrifices to God.
Cain is never presented as an atheist. He is presented as a religious man.
The only God they knew about was the creator God, and they knew the God who was Creator.

Outward ritual, outward religiosity is no proof that a person is born of God.

Cain failed the test of love.
It’s clear that even though he was not an atheist, even though he was worshiping the true God, he was worshiping Him in a wrong way and he was worshiping him from a wicked heart.
The real test of Cain’s true religion wasn’t just his sacrifice. That was one test; that wasn’t the full test.

We could say, “Well, he was trying to get there by works and that’s bad.” It was worse than that. He despised the man who was obedient to God. He despised the man who was truly righteous.

John 13:35 (KJV 1900)

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We see two clear proofs of being from death to life in 1 John

1 John 3:10 (KJV 1900)

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Much of 1 John is about how Jesus came to overcome the evil one.
Being that the Spirit lives inside of us sin will never have a permanent dwelling place. (no mother-in-law suite)
In our Life Together we call one another to a life of repentance and rejoicing.

The new life is a life together.

When are raised to walk in walk in newness of life we do this in the context of a church family that is going to walk with us.
Jesus models this for us; the multitudes, the 70, the 12, the 3, John the Beloved, when he went to be alone he took people with him
Paul has same example Acts 17:15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Not just Paul but the entire church. Acts 2:46 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,

Evidently clear in Scriptures this life together is commanded for us

The Apostle Paul picks up the theme and gives over a dozen ways.

We are now made one. Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
We are told to be affectionate one unto another. Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
Out doing in showing each other honor. Romans 12:10 ..in honour preferring one another
We should help build up one another. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
We are to help instruct one another. Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
We should provide equal care to one another. 1 Cor 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
With our new found liberty we should serve one another. Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We are called on to bear one another’s burdens. (many times this comes in the form of moving furniture) Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
We are to do with patiently. Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
We are even called to submit to one another. Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
We are to fight for the good of one another. 1 Thess 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

It is not just with Paul (or is it depends on who you think wrote Hebrews)

God uses us to encourage one another to good works. (church announcements are a big way he does) Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
James adds James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
We help those who have confessed sin and repented to be healed. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The Peter adds 1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

Never said this and probably will never again. But look to the brother or sister beside you and say “we have a high maintenance relationship.”

Don’t worry you will see we have been remade with a higher capacity to love then you might even think possible!

So between the death of Christ and the Last Day it is only by gracious anticipation of the last things that Christians are privileged to live in invisible fellowship with other Christians. It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing. - Bonhoeffer / Life Together

How do you view this idea of life together?

Extreme 1 Not looking for any real friendships here. Ill see you next Sunday, maybe.
Extreme 2 I am desperate for friendships and it is your job to create programs that make that happen for me
Both extremes need to discover what real love is, and why God designed us to give it and to receive it from Him and from each other.

Life together is how God designed us to live and worship Him. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Do we belong to the truth? If so we will love the brethren.

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Christians can have a basic assurance that they are participating experientially in the truth

Refers back to 1 John 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

High School Class taught about the back of our church sign. James 1:22 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Great capacity to love one another.

Belonging to truth allows us to love fervently. 1 Peter 1:22 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:

Seeing that / since that
The command is based upon the capacity. Since God has wrought that in you, that capacity, do it fervently.

The Christian that I am the closest to is my wife. I can testify that I have seen her capacity to love grow from year to year.

God is not calling us to do in love what he has not given us the capacity to do.

Example of a common couple named Aquila and Priscilla

Remembered they let that young man Apollos in their home.
They helped Paul on his journey.
They had their home open to others.
Life on the line for others Romans 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Seemingly larger demand.

Ever seen a brother in need and ignored him?
Are you willing to lay down you life for another? 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
This will bring conviction to us all.

Greater Grace is offered

1 John 3:19–20 (KJV 1900)

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Can you imagine how Peter felt when he had to answer Jesus with the question “lovest thou me?”John 21:17 And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

We can come to go with confidence in prayer.

Though imperfect in our love for one another
We desire to live out this truth. God knows our love for Him and one another

1 John 3:21–22 (KJV 1900)

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Summary thus far..

As a Christian actively engages in showing love one to another, we have boldness before God in prayer because we are living out God’s command for our lives

Does the Spirit abide in us? If so we will love the brethren.

1 John 3:24 (KJV 1900)

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

John showed that this kind of life is the manifestation of the indwelling God.

The way a believer can verify that God lives in him is by the operation of God’s Spirit in his life.
One commandment 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

First verse I read as the Pastor last year was Matthew 22:37 (1) Love the Lord, with all your heart, soul, and mind (2) love your neighbor

Two commandments so intertwined they appear as one.
We determined we wanted whatever ministry that would come as an outflow of loving God and loving one another.

Isn’t it amazing the joy we have been allowed to experience as he calls upon us to love one another and provides for us the capacity to do so?

Conclusion

What we need as a church moving forward is a great capacity to love one another. I am so thankful today that is not something I responsible to create or program for you. It comes with your new life in Christ.

If you are new to Vision we would love for you to know about this new life.
Purpose of 1 John stated like this 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
You may have heard how it alters your eternity but we want you to know that the Gospel is transform everything about your life.
Including the ability to give and receive love.

Believer -

I would like to call upon you to move forward in your commitment to one another.
Consider what is your next step? Have you been baptized, have you made a commitment to the church through joining, maybe it is just being willing to take that person up on the offer to get together sometime and talk.

.