What are Christians known for most? If we’re honest, the answers most people would give wouldn’t be positive. But what does the Bible say Christians should be known for? Our generosity? Our kindness? The amount of time we pray or serve others? What does the Bible say is the most important and accurate indicator of a Christian?

PLAY AUDIO ONLY

MESSAGE NOTES

Over the next couple weeks we are going to be diving deeper in a series called “one another” where we look at what the community looks like in the Bible and why if you aren’t a part of it yet… the time is now!

 

[Ephesians 2:19]

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and
foreigners. You are citizens with all of God’s holy people.
You are members of God’s family.”

 

[Acts 2:23-24]

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.  But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.

 

[Acts 2:36-38]

So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah. Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do”? Peter
replied, “each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Then, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

 

[Acts 2:41]

Those who believed what Peter said we’re baptized and added to the church that day – about 3,000 in all.

 

 

[John 1:12-13]

“But to all who BELIEVED HIM and received Him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes form God.

 

 

[Romans 12:9]

Don’t just pretend to love others… REALLY love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

 

[John 13:34]

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

We need to love others as Jesus loves us.

 

[John 13:35]

“your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

Loves others, so they know that Jesus loves them.

[1 John 4:8-12]

But anyone who does not love  does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have
eternal life through him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other God lives in us, and his love brought to full expression in us.

_____________________________________________________________

Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?

2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?

3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?

4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?