THE PAIN OF

LOVE

[By Ron Halbrook]

John 13:31-38

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Introduction

1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

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1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

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1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Introduction

1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love2. Peter learned later—have we?

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Introduction

3. Love’s price: pain!Love of sin brings fruitless painTrue love sacrifices for othersTrue love teaches the truthTrue love seeks to restore erring saintsTrue love meets our children’s needsTrue love encompasses all men

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

I. Love of Sin Brings Fruitless Pain A. Price of Loving Sin: Self-destruction

Gen. 3:8, 16-19 Fear, shame, & pain

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Gen. 3:8, 16-19 Fear, shame, & pain

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

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Gen. 3:8, 16-19 Fear, shame, & pain

16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Gen. 3:8, 16-19 Fear, shame, & pain

17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

I. Love of Sin Brings Fruitless Pain B. The Price of Immorality: Self-destruction

Prov. 6:32-33; 7:22-23 Fear, shame, & pain

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Prov. 6:32-33; 7:22-23 Fear, shame, & pain

32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

I. Love of Sin Brings Fruitless Pain B. The Price of Immorality: Self-destruction

Prov. 6:32-33; 7:22-23 Fear, shame, & pain Conscience scarred Child conceived out of wedlock Home destroyed Children hurt & torn Sexually transmitted diseases

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

I. Love of Sin Brings Fruitless Pain C. The Price of Materialism: Self-destruction

Matt. 27:3-5 Fear, shame, & pain

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Matt. 27:3-5 Fear, shame, & pain

3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

I. Love of Sin Brings Fruitless Pain D. The Price of All Sin: Self-destruction

Gal. 6:7-8 Fear, shame, & pain

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Gal. 6:7-8 Fear, shame, & pain

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others A. Exemplified by Christ

John 13:31-38 New measure of love!

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John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love 31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said,

Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

God glorified:His love

exemplified

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34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Christ’s disciples:

Exemplifyhis love

John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

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36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Peter will learn:Not now, but later

John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others B. God Grieves Over Our Sins

While Trying to Save UsGen. 6:6 The pain of God’s love

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others B. God Grieves Over Our Sins

While Trying to Save UsPs. 78:37-42 Centuries of pain

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Ps. 78:37-42 Centuries of pain 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! 41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others B. God Grieves Over Our Sins

While Trying to Save UsEph. 4:30 Grief for saints who sin

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others C. The Father’s Love Cost Great Pain

John 3:16 The greatest gift of His love!

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

II. True Love Sacrifices for Others D. Christ’s Love Cost Great Pain

Phil. 2:6-8 The most horrible death!

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Phil. 2:6-8 The most horrible death!

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth A. Christ Taught the Painful Truth

John 8:32-34 Painful to teach & to hear

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John 8:32-34 Painful to teach & to hear

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth B. The Holy Spirit Gave the Apostles All Truth

John 16:7-13 The painful truth convicts

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John 16:7-13 The painful truth convicts

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

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John 16:7-13 The painful truth convicts

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth B. The Holy Spirit Gave the Apostles All Truth

John 16:7-13 The painful truth convicts Convicted souls repent

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth C. Love Exhorts to Salvation, Warns of Hell

Mk. 16:15-16 Painful truth: sinners lost!

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth C. Love Exhorts to Salvation, Warns of Hell

2 Thess. 1:7-9 Painful truth: sinners to be punished!

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2 Thess. 1:7-9 Painful truth: sinners to be punished!

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth C. Love Exhorts to Salvation, Warns of Hell

Acts 2:40 Painful pleading: obey before too late!

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

III. True Love Teaches the Truth C. Love Exhorts to Salvation, Warns of Hell

Robert Schuller & Joel Osteen do not convict sinners: avoid pain of true love

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

IV. True Love Seeks to Restore Erring Saints A. Erring Saints Can Be Restored

Gal. 6:1 Painstaking work

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

IV. True Love Seeks to Restore Erring Saints B. It Is Painful to Withdraw from the Stubborn

2 Thess. 3:6 Some persist in sin

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

IV. True Love Seeks to Restore Erring Saints B. It Is Painful to Withdraw from the Stubborn

1 Cor. 5:4-5 Discipline may save them

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

IV. True Love Seeks to Restore Erring Saints C. It Is Painful to Expose False Teachers

2 Jn. 9-11 They bring a different doctrine

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2 Jn. 9-11 They bring a different doctrine

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

IV. True Love Seeks to Restore Erring Saints D. Confronting Sin in the Church Saves Souls

2 Cor. 7:8-11 Painful warning, then joy!

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2 Cor. 7:8-11 Painful warning, then joy!

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

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2 Cor. 7:8-11 Painful warning, then joy!

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

V. True Love Meets Our Children’s Needs A. Parents May Work Hard to Provide,

& Suffer the Pain of Ingratitude2 Cor. 12:14-15 Love not returned

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2 Cor. 12:14-15 Love not returned

14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

V. True Love Meets Our Children’s Needs B. We Must Work Hard to Meet Spiritual Needs

Eph. 6:4 “Nurture & admonition of the Lord”

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

V. True Love Meets Our Children’s Needs B. We Must Work Hard to Meet Spiritual Needs

Prayer & Bible study at homeAttend worship, participate in classesSpiritual values over school, sports, etc.Wholesome activities, modesty, not worldlyHonest, respectful, thankful, & courteous

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

V. True Love Meets Our Children’s Needs B. We Must Work Hard to Meet Spiritual Needs

Reinforce teaching with discipline

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

VI. True Love Encompasses All Men A. God Loves All Men & Christ Died for All

Jn. 3:16 Love extended to all

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

VI. True Love Encompasses All Men B. We Follow Christ to Show Love to All

Gal. 6:10 Love extended to all

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

VI. True Love Encompasses All Men B. We Follow Christ to Show Love to All

Material needs: food, clothing, etc.Friendship, encouragement, & comfortHospitality, calls, cards, & visitsA patient ear, adviceSpiritual needs

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THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Invitation

1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

58

1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

59

THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Invitation

1. John 13:31-38 Christ: new measure of love2. Peter learned later—have we?

60

THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Invitation

3. Love’s price: pain!Love of sin brings fruitless painTrue love sacrifices for othersTrue love teaches the truthTrue love seeks to restore erring saintsTrue love meets our children’s needsTrue love encompasses all men

61

THE PAIN OF

LOVE

• Invitation

4. Mk. 16:15-16 Painful truth: God suffered great pain to save sinners!

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.