INTRODUCTION: The Mark of a True Follower

A story is told of a man traveling through a small village who noticed a group of children playing a game called “Follow the Leader.” One child led confidently, and the others mimicked every move, jumping, skipping, waving.

It was clear who the LEADER was, not because of what they SAID, but because everyone FOLLOWED their EXAMPLE. In the same way, the world watches BELIEVERS to see whom we’re FOLLOWING. Jesus says the mark of a TRUE DISCIPLE is not our DOCTRINE alone, not our PROGRAMS or BUILDINGS, but our LOVE. Our LOVE reveals our LEADER.

SCRIPTURE: John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

3-REASONS WHY WE SHOULD LEAD WITH LOVE

1. LEADING WITH LOVE IS OUR IDENTITY

a. LOVE is not an optional TRAIT; it is the very IDENTITY of a BELIEVER.

b. LOVE is the FINGERPRINT of the BELIEVER.

i. John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

c. Jesus didn’t say people would know us by our WORSHIP STYLE, DENOMINATION, or THEOLOGY.

d. He said THEY would know US by our LOVE.

2. LEADING WITH LOVE IS SHOWN THROUGH COMPASSION

a. The WORLD doesn’t just NEED to HEAR about Jesus, they need to FEEL His COMPASSION through His

PEOPLE.

i. Romans 2:4 “The goodness of God leads thee to repentance.”

b. COMPASSION is the DOORWAY through which the GOSPEL walks into someone’s HEART.

3. LEADING WITH LOVE IS OUR MISSION

a. The CHURCH was never MEANT to be a FORTRESS but a LIGHTHOUSE.

i. Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”

b. Jesus said we are the LIGHT of the WORLD, a BEACON that GUIDES the LOST toward SAFETY and HOPE.

i. 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.”

1. As AMBASSADORS for Christ, we REPRESENT Heaven’s KINGDOM on EARTH.