Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
A. WE CAN BE TAUGHT BY...
1. God
a. Concerning brotherly love (philadelphia) to love one another (agape) - 1 Th 4:9
b. How He sent His Son - 1 Jn 4:9-10
2. Jesus
a. How He was willing to die for us - 1 Jn 3:16
b. How He loved (agape and phileo) His disciples - Jn 11:3,5 (Lazarus, Mary, Martha);
Jn 13:1,34 (the disciples); Jn 13:23; 20:2 (John)
3. Paul
a. Who taught Christians how to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2
b. Who taught husbands how to love their wives - Ep 5:25-33
c. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf. Ph 4:1
4. Peter
a. Who taught us to love one another (phileo and agape) fervently - 1 Pe 1:22; 4:8
b. Who taught us to love (agape) the brotherhood, as brethren (philadelphos) - 1 Pe
2:17; 3:8
c. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf. 2 Pe 3:15
5. Other Christians
a. Older women should be capable of teaching the younger women - Ti 2:3-4
b. Even young Christians can set an example of how to love - 1 Ti 4:12; 2 Th 1:3
B. WE CAN DEVELOP HEARTFELT AFFECTION...
1. Phileo love can be enhanced by adding agape love to it - cf. 2 Pe 1:7
2. Display active good will (agape), and heartfelt affection (phileo) will follow - cf. 1 Th 4:9
CONCLUSION
1. We cannot excuse the lack of heartfelt love toward Jesus, our brethren, or our families...
a. By making a distinction between agape and phileo
b. For both kinds of love are commanded, and the two often overlap
2. Where we lack a heartfelt love toward Jesus, our brethren, our family members...
a. We need to acknowledge the deficiency (as a sign of spiritual immaturity)
b. We need to be willing to relearn love (whether it be agape or phileo)
3. When we need to learn love others with a heartfelt love...
a. Look to the examples of the Father, Jesus, the apostles, and other Christians
b. Take the initiative to practice agape love, and phileo love will develop naturally
We have been purified to have unfeigned, affectionate love for one another (philadelphia); do we love
one another (agape) fervently as we should...? - cf. 1 Pe 1:22
Topical Sermons 79