1. Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Thursday, August 5, 2010 www.GraceDoctrine.org

2. Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

3. Memory Verse John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

4. John 15:12-14 Impersonal Love Motivates Divine Good Production!

5. The Doctrine of Laying Down your Life for your Friends. 1 John 4:7-12, 18-21; 5:1-3

6. 1. Definition: Jesus is comparing all realms of love to the love that is self sacrificial for the benefit of our fellow believers (whether they are current or future believers).

7. There is no greater love in the entire universe than that AGAPE love which puts others first and ourselves second.

8. 1 John 3:16, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

9. a. “Laying down your life” is in the Aorist tense, which views the entirety of the action.

10. b. Therefore, it means suffering martyrdom for the sake of fellow believers, as one aspect. Rev 6:9; 20:4

11. c. It is also the day to day carrying of your Cross for the benefit of others. Luke 9:23-24; Gal 5:24-25

12. Gal 5:24-25, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

13. d. It is the day to day self sacrificial AGAPE love for the benefit of loved ones (fellow believers current and future).

14. e. Whether we are witnessing the gospel or serving our fellow believers, we are laying down our lives for their spiritual benefit, whatever it may be. Gal 6:9-10

15. 2. Believers have received at least one spiritual gift at the moment of our salvation, which should be applied in the service of God every day.

16. As you learn what your gift is and apply it on a consistent basis, you are fulfilling the command of John 15:12-14.

17. a. How so?

18. a. How so? Because there are many other things you could be doing with your life.

19. When you put those things aside to serve God, you are sacrificing those “other things” of your life, you are sacrificing your life. 1 Cor 12:4-7, 12-21; 13:1-7; Gal 5:22-23

20. Gal 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.

21. 3. Scripture provides detail as to what “laying down your life” entails.

22. There are two aspects, a) your mental attitude, and b) your actions:

23. 1 John 3:23, “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.”

24. 1 John 3:18, “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth (Bible doctrine resident in your soul).”

25. Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, August 5, 2010 Tape # 10-084 Impersonal Love Motivates Divine Good Production Upper Room Discourse, Part 398 John 15:13-14; Rom 13:8-14; 1 Peter 3:8-12 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2010