1. 1 What We Need Is MORE Love!

2. 2 In a Previous Lesson  “What We Need is Less Love!” Less love for… Less love for… SELF!SELF! MONEY!MONEY! THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD!THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD! PREEMINENCE!PREEMINENCE! THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! THE PRAISE OF MEN!THE PRAISE OF MEN!

3. 3 Introduction  The Bible has much to say about love! Jn. 3:16 Jn. 3:16  Many have love for the wrong things rather than the right things! 1 Jn. 4:7-11 1 Jn. 4:7-11 2 Tim. 3:1-5 2 Tim. 3:1-5

4. 4 1 John 4:7-11  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

5. 5 2 Timothy 3:1-5  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

6. 6 Introduction  Most religious people would agree that more love is needed! In the home! In the home! In our schools! In our schools! In our business connections! In our business connections! Among political leaders! Among political leaders! Among brethren in the church especially! Among brethren in the church especially! For God! For God!  I agree!

7. 7 We Need More Love For BOLD PREACHING !  Many preachers avoid controversy!  Not like Paul & Barnabas – “waxed bold” Acts 13:46-51 Acts 13:46-51  Apostles were never “politically correct” Acts 5:27-42 Acts 5:27-42  Need preaching that marks sin, error and false teachers! Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 4:10; 3:13 Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 4:10; 3:13  Must teach “all the counsel of God” Acts 20:27; 26:19-23; 2 Tim. 4:1-4 Acts 20:27; 26:19-23; 2 Tim. 4:1-4

8. Bold Preachers of the 1 st Century  John - lost his head! Condemned the marriage of Herod & Herodias Condemned the marriage of Herod & Herodias Matt. 14:1-12Matt. 14:1-12  Steven - stoned for preaching the truth! Acts 7:51-60 Acts 7:51-60  Jesus – crucified because of His teaching! Matt. 23 Matt. 23 8

9. 9 We Need More Love For Divine Authority!  Cannot act without Divine Authority and please God!  Christ has ALL Authority! Matt. 28:18-19; 7:21-29 Matt. 28:18-19; 7:21-29  Worship must be “in spirit and in truth” John 4:21-24 John 4:21-24 This prohibits – Fun, food, frolic and any other social gospel gimmick or program! This prohibits – Fun, food, frolic and any other social gospel gimmick or program!  Must demand authority for all religious acts! Matt. 21:23-27 Matt. 21:23-27

10. 10 We Need More Love For The Lord’s Church!  Church purchased with Christ blood! Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25 Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25 Lack of Love disrespects “the blood of the covenant” – Heb. 10:29 Lack of Love disrespects “the blood of the covenant” – Heb. 10:29  Must love the divine mission – Spiritual not physical or social! Evangelism – Matt. 28:18-20 Evangelism – Matt. 28:18-20 Edification – Eph. 4:11-16; 29: 1 Cor. 14:26 Edification – Eph. 4:11-16; 29: 1 Cor. 14:26 Benevolence – Help needy saints only! Benevolence – Help needy saints only! 1 Cor. 16:1-21 Cor. 16:1-2  Must love the assembling of the Saints! Hebrew 10:23-26 Hebrew 10:23-26

11. 11 We Need More Love For PURITY!  All Unrighteousness is sin! 1 Jn. 5:17 1 Jn. 5:17  Sin is violation of God’s law and is universal! 1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 3:23; 5:12 1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 3:23; 5:12  Sin is pleasurable! Only for a season – Heb. 11:24-27 Only for a season – Heb. 11:24-27 Pleasures are short lived! Pleasures are short lived!  The wages of sin is death! Rom. 6:23 Rom. 6:23  Many overcome by perceived benefits of sin! Preachers who teach error! Preachers who teach error! Brethren who support error! Brethren who support error!  Must “keep unspotted from the world!” Rom. 6:13; James 1:27 Rom. 6:13; James 1:27  Must be Holy as God is Holy! 1 Peter 1:15, 16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 1 Peter 1:15, 16; 1 Cor. 6:9-11

12. 12 We Need More Love For KNOWLEDGE!  Ignorance of God’s word is a danger! Hosea 4:6; Rom. 10:1-10 Hosea 4:6; Rom. 10:1-10  Must read God’s Word Ex 24:7; Duet. 17:19; Josh. 8:34, 35; 1 Tim 4:13; Eph. 3:4; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27 Ex 24:7; Duet. 17:19; Josh. 8:34, 35; 1 Tim 4:13; Eph. 3:4; Col. 4:16; 1 Thess. 5:27  Hebrew writer condemned ignorance! Heb. 5:12-14 Heb. 5:12-14  Study is required so we can handle God’s word correctly! 2 Tim. 2:15 2 Tim. 2:15

13. 13 Comment by Paul Blake  “This author has been observing a frightening trend among professed sound preachers and congregations. Some have a very simple menu when it comes to spiritual food: milquetoast, weak tea, doctrinal jello, and religious cotton candy, and they serve it to the local church on a weekly basis, yielding to the whims and will of the weak and sinful. Israel’s downfall was a loss of appetite for strong preaching (Isa. 30:8-14). God’s children in every dispensation need to cultivate a hunger for sound preaching; today they need a appetite for the truth delivered as it was by the apostle Paul.” A Study in Philippians, p. 36 A Study in Philippians, p. 36

14. 14 We Need More Love For SACRIFICAL LIVING!  Christ sacrificed Himself for us! Heb. 7:27; 9:26; 10:5-12; 11:4; 13:15 Heb. 7:27; 9:26; 10:5-12; 11:4; 13:15 Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 1 Tim 2:6, 14 Gal. 1:4; 2:20; 1 Tim 2:6, 14  We must give our bodies as a living sacrifice! Rom. 12:1-2 Rom. 12:1-2  Must glorify God in our bodies! Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 6:20 Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 6:20  Keep unspotted from the world! Jas. 1:27 Jas. 1:27  Remain faithful unto death! Rev. 2:10 Rev. 2:10

15. 15 Conclusion  We Need More Love For… BOLD PREACHERS & PREACHING! BOLD PREACHERS & PREACHING! DIVINE AUTHORITY! DIVINE AUTHORITY! THE LORD’S CHURCH! THE LORD’S CHURCH! PURITY! PURITY! KNOWLEDGE! KNOWLEDGE! SACRAFICAL LIVING! SACRAFICAL LIVING!