9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.   1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

A. Loving One Another: Taught by God

1. God’s methods of teaching love for one another

– Understanding God’s ultimate objective: 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Eph. 2:18-20, 1 Timothy 3:14-15

– Obeying His commandments: John 13:34-35, John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:9, John 15:12, John 15:17

– Following Christ’s example: John 13:12-17, John 13:34, 1 Thess. 1:6

– Observing worthy models: 2 Timothy 3:10-11, 1 Cor. 11:1, 1 Thess. 1:6-7

2. Qualities in the love taught by God

– Individual: 1 Thess. 4:9, Eph. 4:20-21

– Active: 1 Thess. 4:9-10, James 1:22-24

– Impartial: 1 Thess. 4:9-10, 1 Peter 4:8

– Progressive: 1 Thess. 4:9-10, 2 Peter 3:18