JOHN MAY BE THE AGED, HIS WRITINGS FULL OF EMOTION, BUT THEY ARE ON SOLID ROCK - PRACTICAL, REAL

1. John uses the word "If" to pierce to the heart of a matter with a supposition- hypothetical
2. "If a man says" echoes several times in the Epistle, but John points out action speaking loud
3. John heard Jesus give the Great Commandment, the 2nd, and the New one- so he remembered for 60 years the heart of the message, and he was faithful to his commission!

I. - OUR MESSAGE FROM THE BEGINNING I John 3:11

The continuity of the Scripture cannot be broken - Paul said teach faithful men- John was faithful

A.- JOHN HAD A GOOD GRASP OF THE COMMANDMENTS THAT JESUS GAVE FROM THE VERY FIRST, & HE OBEYED

1. The Great Commandment-Matt 22:37-Mark well in all 3 synoptic Gospels.-God Commands love-
2. The 2nd Commandment Matt 22:39 Like unto 1st- but involves 2 parts- Neighbor, & Self!
3. The New Commandment John 13:34,35- After Foot washing-proof of love; Jesus commanded them.

B.- THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS ECHOED 60 YEARS LATER AS JOHN SROTE HIS EPISTLES I John 2:7,8

1. Forgive the aged Apostle for being redundant- but real love is very redundant-are you?
2. John dealt with the Gnostics- intellectuals, scholars- they said much-v9, but had no love
3. If you really love your brother, you will walk in the light, so as to not hurt him- v.10

C.- THE COMMAND BECOMES A PLEA FROM THE LIPS OF THE AGED ONE, I John 4:7,8 AS PAUL BESEECH YOU.

1. God had bestowed a great love on us- I John 3:1- made possible our being called Children
2. So much of God's word urges us to pass that love on to others - to love our neighbor!
3. Remember in Good Samaritan- "Who is my neighbor?" -anyone who needs the help of your love!

Have you seen anyone in need of your help recently? Could you see it right in front of your eyes?

II.- IF MAN SAY

The great contradiction of men's lips and men's lives- wanting something so saying it, not doing it.

A.- THE APOSTLE JAMES DEMANDED A PRACTICAL TEST FOR FAITH, JUST SAYING SO WAS NOT ENOUGH Jas 2:1

1. The Hypothetical "If" again- v. 15 becomes the great inquisitioner! with a reliable truth
2. Just Praying, and Saying- is not enough -v.16 there must also be a giving-very earthy!
3. Words are cheap-"What does it profit?" Why do men say things that are not so? to convince selves

B.- THE APOSTLE JOHN APPLIED THE SAME TEST, PRACTICAL, DOWN TO EARTH, REAL, NOTHING MYSTICAL

1. 1 John 3:17 - If you have this world's good,-see need, shut up compassion- how is that love?
2. He commands love in word & deed-v. 18, and our hearts know the difference- v. 20, 21-condemn?
3. The commandment to believe on Jesus-v. 23, also continued- to love one another! 2nd work?

C. .- AND IN THE FINAL JUDGEMENT GIVEN BY JESUS CHRIST, THE TRUTH WILL BE KNOWN BY ALL THE WORLD

1. Matt 7:23 Some have done great, deeds- but Jesus knows absence of love-"Depart, I never knew you!"
2. Matt 25:31- Sheep & Goat nations-note the basis of judgement- v.35-40, how do you measure up?
3. Through Paul- Gal 6:18-command to do good to all men -especially to household of faith!

Even the small love gift of a cup of cold water- Matt 10:42 - will not be forgotten!

III.- TO LOVE CHRIST IS NOT ENOUGH

Know for sure that no man can really love Christ without it changing him- but "to say I love-"

A.- IF A MAN SAYS HE LOVES GOD AND HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR - I John 4:20 -note Reasons

1. A lot of men will say things that are not true- Matt 7:15- Wolves- known by fruit!
2. And you cannot relegate this love to another to church- to Government-or even wife, kids!
3. Love is a very personal thing, and loses too much if you try to get another to do for you!

B.- IF WE ARE BORN AGAIN, WE WILL HAVE GOD'S LOVE BORN WITHIN OUR HEARTS, REACHING OUT TO OTHERS

1. Note you do hot love your brother in order to get saved!, it is the sign I John 5:1
2. Look at history- Christians have started Churches, schools, hospitals, orphanages, old-folk's homes, relief societies, missions, laws to end child slavery, compassion for physical!
3. Fundamentalists have failed in Social influence because of fear of Social Gospel-Works-;Shame

C.- HOW CAN WE EACH ONE MANIFEST THE LOVE OF GOD TO THOSE AROUND US, EVEN FAR AWAY? 1John 4:9-12

1. If we do not do 1st works, then we have lost our 1st love! Choose to return to 1st works! or-
2. Let your life be a ministry- choose something that can be a blessing, help, (no liquor dealers)
3. Francis Schaffer's book- The Marks of a Christian- centers in on practical love - 

WHEN JESUS MUST JUDGE YOUR LIFE, WILL HE SAY WELL DONE!, OR HAVE TO SAY I NEVER KNEW YOU?

1. If you do not have this love- you are not of His- LOST! Come to Jesus and be saved!
2. If you have lost your 1st love- you cannot enjoy your Christian life- come & renew it!
3. What is your measure of love saying today to those around you? do you say? or do?