Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Love Endures - Love

Bryan Schneider · September 21, 2024

1 Peter 1:22-25

sharonrpc.org/sermons/love-endures-love

Summary

Those born of God are called to love like God: the gospel purifies and renews the heart so Christ's received love flows outward to others.
Christian love is sincere (without hypocrisy) and seeks another person's eternal good rather than merely tolerating everything or serving oneself.
Fervent love is enduring, unwavering, and covenantal rather than dependent on ease, emotion, convenience, or repayment.
Human life and glory wither like grass, but the gospel Word that gives new birth endures forever, so love rooted in that Word has an eternal horizon.
Love remains costly in a fallen world: people may hurt, fail to reciprocate, exhaust resources, or overwhelm us, yet God's prior love and the Spirit's strength enable faithful action.
Biblical love takes concrete forms in family, work, church, generosity, patience, forgiveness, prayer, burden-sharing, and receiving help from others.

Is my love grounded in God's eternal love or in another person's behavior and my changing emotions?
Do I confuse love with tolerating evil, or does my love both abhor evil and cling to good?
Whose eternal well-being am I actively seeking through sincere and concrete care?
Have hurt, disappointment, or lack of repayment led me to isolate myself and stop loving?
Am I being faithful with the time and resources God actually gave me without pretending I can meet every need?
Does pride keep me from receiving another Christian's help and allowing that person to love me?
What one opportunity to love has God placed directly in front of me this week?

Sincere love: Love without hypocrisy that genuinely seeks another person's eternal good and clings to what is righteous.
Fervent love: Steadfast and enduring devotion that continues through inconvenience, discomfort, hurt, and changing feelings.
Brotherly love: The special affection and practical care Christians owe their brothers and sisters in Christ while also doing good to all.
Regeneration: The Spirit's work of giving a new heart and life through the gospel, making a person able to love from a new source.
Imperishable seed: The enduring gospel Word through which God gives new birth, contrasted with mortal human life that withers like grass.
Sacrificial love: Love modeled by Jesus that willingly spends time, strength, possessions, and even life for another person's good.
Communion of saints: The shared life of believers united to Christ and therefore obligated to give and receive loving care for one another.