Brotherly Love

Message Notes:

The sermon today is part of a series of sermons pulled from 2 Peter 1:3-9.

The theme for today is from 2 Peter 1:7 — “brotherly Love.”

A powerful example of “brotherly love” that has been experienced in Poplar Bluff, has come on the heels of the March 14 tornado. The tornado was terrible/horrible and uprooted many, but it unleashed a tidal wave of “brotherly love” into our community. Christian organizations plus hundreds (if not thousands) of individual Christians from across America have flooded into our town to help us recover from this tragedy. 

Important to understand about “brotherly love” — or “philadelphian” in Greek:

•It is built on a “relational connection.” “I will treat you lovingly because I have a special connection with you.”

•It starts with a relationship with one’s parents or God. I have a relationship with my parents/God and you have a relationship with my parents/God.

•Our mutual relationship with God places us in a “sibling-like relationship” with one another.

Biblical examples:

•Psalm 133:1

•1 John 4:20

•John 13:34-35

See also:

•Romans 12:10 — brotherly love as “honoring someone.”

•Philippians 2:3-4 — brotherly love as “valuing others over oneself.”

See Galatians 6:10

Discussion Questions:

Think of a time when you were the recipient of Christian love from other believers.

•How did it make you feel?

•What are the most important components of being the giver of brotherly love?

Why does the apostle John suggest that one cannot truly love God, if at the same time, you hate your brother?

•Read: 1 John 4:20

Spend some time considering a Christian brother or sister to whom you might show an act of brotherly love.

•What do they need or what could you do?