The Legacy of Love

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 John 3:11-24The key to assurance and fellowship with God is love. Children of God ought to be filled with love. It is our greatest virtue and commandment. It is also our greatest testimony; we will be known by our love, above all other things. And it is our greatest motivation; if we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments—showing His love with others.1 John 3 explains the legacy of love, which is first a good conscience.“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (1 John 3:18-20).God gave man a conscience as a gift; its purpose is to concentrate our actions and make moral judgments. It is our assurance that we have full transparency toward everyone. If we have love in our hearts, our consciences are clear.The legacy of love is also a great confidence.“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:21-22).When our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence that our prayers will be answered.Adrian Rogers says, “Answered prayer is not for rebels; it is not for those whose hearts are filled with hate.”Third, the legacy of love gives a gracious communion.“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (1 John 3:23-24).If we do not have love in our hearts, instead harboring bitterness, wrath, and malice, the Holy Spirit cannot commune with us. But when we have a good conscience and great confidence, the Holy Spirit gently confirms that we belong to Jesus.Apply it to your lifeDo you have the legacy of love in your heart? Do you have a good conscience, a great confidence, and a gracious communion?