Old Yet Ever New
The sermon emphasizes the enduring commandment of love, bridging the old and new through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Theodore Epp explores the paradox of the old and new commandment in 1 John 2:7-11, emphasizing that while the command to love one another is rooted in the creation of man in God's image and the Old Testament Law, it takes on a new dimension through the work of the Holy Spirit. The commandment is not merely a repetition of the past; it is revitalized by the presence of Christ, who embodies love and empowers believers to fulfill this command. Epp highlights that the darkness of the old covenant is passing away as the true light of Christ shines, enabling genuine love among believers.
Text
1 John 2:7-11
The statements concerning the old and the new commandment sound paradoxical. They can be readily reconciled, however. The Apostle John wrote here, as 1 John 2:9-11 shows, about our love for one another. In a sense this is not a new commandment; it is an old one that goes back to the time when God made man in His own image. Since man was made in the image of God, love was part of the expression of his life. It is old also in the sense that the Old Testament Law was summarized in the commands to love God and love our neighbor.
From all of this one might conclude that there is nothing new about this commandment at all, and yet there is an aspect that is new. We are given the clue to this in the expression, "The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth" (v. 8). Here again the present tense was used, and the translation could read: "The darkness is passing, and the true light is now shining." Under the Old Testament Law, people were commanded to love, but the Law did not provide them with the ability to obey. Only as the Holy Spirit could get control of individual hearts was this possible.
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the Old Commandment
- Historical Context of Love in Scripture
- Connection to God's Image
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II
- The New Aspect of the Commandment
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- Living in the Light
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III
- Practical Implications of Loving One Another
- Challenges in Obeying the Commandment
- Encouragement from Christ's Example
Key Quotes
“The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” — Theodore Epp
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Reflect on how you can embody Christ's love in your daily interactions.
- Seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to overcome challenges in loving others.
- Engage with Scripture to deepen your understanding of God's command to love.