Brotherly Love

Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2017

1 Peter 1:22

Introduction:

A.  I preached on the incorruptibility of the Blood of Christ and the incorruptibility of the Bible.  In between these two verses, lies the result and responsibility of brotherly love.

B.  As both the Blood of Christ and the Bible are essential to the New Birth, both are also essential the love of the brethren.

C.  We live in days of churches on every street corner. 

1.  Because of doctrinal division or plain lack of doctrine.  Doctrinal division, if done considering true doctrinal purity, is a positive thing as the Bible commands it.

2.  Because of people’s inability to get along with one another.  Division from sinful or disorderly brethren is also a positive thing as the Bible commands it.

D.  As the Blood and the Bible are incorruptible, so should the love of the brethren be incorruptible.

1.  I thank the Lord that I was born into a closely-knit family.  Mom and Dad are long gone but my two brothers and one sister are still alive.  We love and help one another.  We were born into the same family!

2.  I thank the Lord that God placed me into a closely-knit church.  We love and help one another.  We were born into the same family!

E.  I know that there are some people who have a hard time getting along and there is a simple reason for it.  They are born into the family but are not “nestled” between the Birth and the Bible.

F.  Brotherly Love is part of being in the Family!  You could call it one of the birthmarks of the child of God.  A part of our spiritual DNA.  God is love and God inspires love in His children.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.  (10)  And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

1.  Brotherly Love Glorifies God - John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

2.  Brotherly Love Edifies The Church - 1 Corinthians 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

3.  Brotherly Love Shows Our Spiritual Maturity - Colossians 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

4.  Brotherly Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins - 1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1.  Brotherly Love Must Be Carefully Cultivated - 2 Peter 1:5-7  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  (Even though it should come natural.  The love between a man and wife must be carefully cultivated.)

1 Thessalonians 4:9  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

2.  Brotherly Love Must Have A Fertile Growing Place - 1 Timothy 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

2 Timothy 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

3.  Brotherly Love Must Be constantly Maintained - 1 Corinthians 14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

4.  Brotherly Love Must Be Our Motivation For Fellowship - 1 Corinthians 16:14  Let all your things be done with charity.  (We come together to exhort one another as well as to worship!

1 Peter 5:14  Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Jude 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

5.  Brotherly Love Must Be Consistent Among The Members - 2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

James 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.