Below is a sermon outline from our ‘Walking it Out’ Series where we aim to learn how Paul & the early church lived out their faith with their boots on, step by step & day by day. This sermon was preached on 10/12/25 and starts in Acts Chapter 28.
Refuge Church Byhalia exists to share the hope of Jesus, grow together, & love our neighbors in Byhalia, Barton, Marshall County, Lewisburg, & surrounding areas.
Main ideas:
- We should enjoy the blessing of brothers & sisters in Christ and labor to be a blessing to brothers & sisters in Christ. (vs 11-15)
- As a church, we should desire to skillfully & relatably draw a crowd as we love neighbors. All while knowing the goal is to share the hope of Jesus. (vs 17-23)
- The path to & outcome of our labor, seeing Refuge grow, is up to the sovereign hand of God. So we trust Him, & we keep going. (vs 24-28)
Intro
- Good Morning!
- Welcome to Refuge Church Byhalia
- My name is Michael and I have the pleasure of serving as the Planting Pastor here at RCB.
- Feels a bit odd to be preaching this early but we are going to finish our service in a beautiful and awesome way today, so if you’re someone who likes sustained routine, bear with us today
- And look forward to what’s coming
- Now this past week on Thursday we had a special night here at Refuge
- Some faithful saints here, who happen to work in the Byhalia schools & have a passion & desire to see young people from Byhalia, Barton, & beyond put on a 5th quarter event
- Which basically means, after 4 quarters of football – let’s hang out, eat some food, play some games, & hear about Jesus
- And Dewayne & Elizabeth Nichols coordinated this awesome night and then got Zac, Christian, & Monica to come up here.
- And we had about 30 people here.
- It was awesome.
- On the wall in the lobby, you may have noticed 3 phrases
- And those 3 phases are the 3 pillars of our mission as a church
- Share the hope of Jesus, Love Neighbors, & Grow Together
- Everything we do, ties in those things.
- And in loving neighbors, we badly, strongly want to love the precious image bearers that go to the Byhalia Schools.
- We want them to know Refuge Church cares for them
- And that Refuge Church cares for their souls
- We want to be more involved there and are going to labor to that end.
- So before we dive into our sermon for today, I want to stop and pray
- Let’s go to the Lord in prayer now.
- Amen
- Now today, we find ourselves for the 2nd to last time, in the book of Acts
- So please open your BIbles to Acts chapter 28 verse 11. Page -___.
- If you don’t have a Bible, we have Blue Bibles scattered around the room. The page number in those Bibles is on screen so you can easily get to Acts 28.
- If you don’t have a Bible of your own, we would love for you to take one of those home with you. Consider it our gift to you.
- The best Bible is the one you read, so take that and read it. Put your name in it. Bring it week in and week out to Refuge.
- Now let’s dive in and see where Paul’s adventures lead this week.
- Let’s read verse 11-15
‘11 After three months we set sail in xa ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods4 as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found ybrothers5 and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And ythe brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, zPaul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, aPaul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.’
- So Paul had been in Malta after the shipwreck
- And God used him to minister to those people
- Last week we saw how because of Paul’s great faith, he remained cool under pressure.
- And in the midst of fateful storms – God is at work for His glory and our good.
- So we can stand strong
- And that was true for Paul has he shipwrecked & cared for many there.
- And Paul had confidence in God, enough confidence in God to pray for and ask God to heal Pub-Lee-Us’ father and many more.
- And you knwo what God showed up and did it!
- And it was awesome to see God move there.
- Which reminds us, to pray & ask God for big things.
- Including the end of sickness and pain.
- Because we know this – God will heal & restore every Christian.
- In 1 of 3 ways
- 1 – Instantly – by miraculous healing
- 2 – Gradually – through time & medicine
- 3 – Eventually – through Glory
- And Paul now, has stayed in Malta for those 3 months
- Malta is a small island off the toe of Italy
- Beautiful mediterranean island nation
- Interesting story here, when I was encouraged to seek the Lord & see where he was going to send Melanie and I to labor for the Kingdom of God through church planting
- For a good bit of time, Malta was going to be the place.
- The people of Malta, most of whom speak english
- though nearly 2000 years ago had the Apostle Paul visit
- Have in many ways, abandoned christianity almost entirely.
- Less than 2% of the people there are Bible Believing Evangelical Christians.
- And we should be burdened for places like this
- Places where the Gospel is not currently quickly available
- The many unreached people groups around the World
- We should pray for God to raise up laborers & send them to share the hope of Jesus, where His name is not regularly heard.
- Now Paul sets sail & leaves Malta
- And we see something beautiful
- Paul gathers with some Christians in ‘Puteoli’ and then in Rome.
- And I love how Luke describes what happened in the end of verse 15. ‘On seeing them, zPaul thanked God and took courage.’
- Seeing these brothers & sisters in Christ – encouraged Paul
- And gave him reason to give thanks.
- Friends –
- We should enjoy the blessing of brothers & sisters in Christ and labor to be a blessing to brothers & sisters in Christ. (vs 11-15)
- Paul was impacted by the gathering of these believers
- The fellowshipping
- Note, this wasn’t a conference, or just on a sunday
- It seemed like a thursday afternoon.
- At esome food
- Laughed
- Talked
- Prayed
- Hung out.
- Warren Wiersbe comments ‘Paul was greatly encouraged when he met them, as well he might be. Now he could fellowship with the saints and they could be a blessing to one another. -Warren Wiersbe’
- And isn’t that how it should be in the church
- Easy to fellowship
- Easy to spend time together
- Easy to encourage one another
- Pastor & Theologian R. Kent Hughes says
- “For these new Christians, loving other believers was as easy as falling off a log. They could not wait to get to church where they could drink in the fellowship of the godly.” -R. Kent Hughes
- What an image that is
- And if you have ever wandered around in the woods
- Walked along a log
- Tried to do the balance beam thing
- It’s easy to fall.
- And what Kent was saying in his comment
- Just like its easy to fall off a log – it should be easy for Christians to love each other.
- Which means in part – we have to seek to be with other believers
- All of us
- We should aim to be around each other
- So that we can live out the one another commands
- And receive the one another commands from others
- And this isn’t because we all love the same hobbies
- Or talk the same way
- Or come from the same background
- It’s because of our unity around Christ.
- John Stott on brothers & sisters in Christ caring for and loving each other.
- “We love each other not because we are temperamentally compatible, or because we are naturally drawn to one another, but because of the truth which we share.” -John Stott
- Gathering with other people who believe in Jesus & seek to follow Him and let Him be Lord or Boss of their life – is so good
- So right
- And so helpful
- I would argue that it is necessary
- The New Testament and experience would say – we cannot go through life on our own.
- “The fellowship of sharing with one another what we have received from the Lord is a spiritual necessity. For God has not made us self-sufficient.” -J.I. Packer
- Look
- Last week – we were talking about fateful storms
- How God is at work in all of those
- But it is so hard to navigate storms
- I would again argue – impossible to narivaget storms – without the love care and help of brothers and sisters in Christ
- Paul – after much ministering after his shipwreck
- Found himself with other believers
- And it was a cause for thanks
- A source of encouragement
- Believer – do you seek out time with other christians
- To get charged up
- Fired up & ready to go back out
- Do you make small groups a priority
- Do you make sunday morning a priority
- Do you make men’s or women’s groups a priority
- Do you find time to be with other Christians and find refuge and repair with them?
- Or is this just a sunday morning club
- Friends – we need each other
- You need a church & there is a church that needs you.
- Paul knew this and experienced this – even on his journey to Rome.
- Let’s keep reading now, verses 17-23
‘17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, bthough I had done nothing against our people or cthe customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they dwished to set me at liberty, ebecause there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled fto appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against gmy nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is hbecause of ithe hope of Israel that I am wearing jthis kchain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of lthe brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this msect we know that everywhere nit is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening ohe expounded to them, testifying to pthe kingdom of God and qtrying to convince them about Jesus rboth from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.’
- So Paul is in Rome
- And he gets encouraged
- And now it’s time for Pual to do what Paul does
- And he starts – by gathering the local Jewish leaders
- And he tells them of the hope of Israel
- He tells them of Jesus Christ
- Verse 23 says from Morning til evening he expounded, he presented & explained
- He testified that the Kingdom of God has come in Jesus Christ
- The one the law & prophets
- The old testament talked about
- Paul did what he could to gather a crowd & communicate the Gospel effectively in a way they would listen.
- As a church, we should desire to skillfully & relatably draw a crowd as we love neighbors. All while knowing the goal is to share the hope of Jesus. (vs 17-23)
- This is what we did Thursday night with our 5th quarter event
- This is what we will do on NOvember 1st with our fall festival
- This is what we will do for the 4 sundays between thanksgiving and Christmas
- Skillfully and effectively
- Reach out & try to draw a crowd
- So we can tangibly love them & share the hope of Jesus with them
- While also building up & training the Refuge Church family
- And that leads to an important question for us
- Do our actions show a desire for people to come in
- As they are – messed up and dirty as they may be
- To come in, be loved for as image bearers of the God of the universe
- And hear about the hope of Jesus?
- Seems like Paul left his door unlocked for any to come and hear.
- ‘Wherever he (Paul) went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Christ… Paul kept ‘open house’ and received anybody who wanted to discuss the things of the Kingdom of God. -Warren Wiersbe
- Regardless of what Paul went through
- Seeing people come and hear about Jesus was top of the list
- Whatever storm or chain he was facing.
- Yes we find Refuge here at church
- Yes we find repair here
- Yes we get trained to Go
- But if that training
- If that encouragement
- Doesn’t lead us to go
- Tell folks about Jesus
- And invite them to come and find refuge, likewise
- We’ve missed the mark
- We should desire to see the Kingdom of God filled from Byhalia, Barton, & beyond.
- “The apostle Paul saw opportunity in every difficulty — put him in prison and he still was the man of God who brought others to Christ.” -Adrian Rodgers
- Oh may we be a church that always – in every season – desire to skillfully & relatably draw a crowd as we love neighbors. All while knowing the goal is to share the hope of Jesus.
- Let’s keep reading verses 24-28
‘24 And ssome were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: t“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 u“‘Go to this people, and say, v“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 wFor this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and xturn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that ythis zsalvation of God ahas been sent to the Gentiles; bthey will listen.”6 ’
- Paul
- Mr missionary man
- Shares Jesus
- What happens
- A wave of salvatione
- Everyone changed and saved
- Massive churches grow
- Mega churches started throughout rome on every street corner
- Oh wait
- Nope
- Verse 24 says ‘some.’
- Not all
- Not a whole bunch
- Some.
- Church – we need to remember
- The path to & outcome of our labor, seeing Refuge grow, is up to the sovereign hand of God. So we trust Him, & we keep going. (vs 24-28)
- Paul trusted God when ‘some’ were convinced
- And so to we can trust God when ‘some’ seek Jesus as we reach out
- We must be faithful
- Compel them to come in
- But trust God with however many come and find Refuge with us in Christ.
- NOw i find that interesting
- Because of all people, the Jewish people – should have been ready for Messiah to show up
- From childhood – as they learned the law and prophets
- They knew of the arrival of a messiah – who would save them from their sins
- They had every reason and opportunity believe
- But only ‘some’ did. Warren Wiersbe comments here.
- It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving. If anybody should have possessed spiritual understanding, it was these Jewish leaders, but their hearts were dull and hard. Too often those who enjoy the most spiritual privileges are not ready when they must make spiritual decisions. -Warren Wiersbe
- And I kind of have to think about us
- And our context
- Bible belt south
- Everyone has heard about Jesus just about
- But how many in Byhalia, Barton, & beyond who have heard of him have head knowledge, heart affections for Jesus, that leads to action
- How many have every reason to believe and trust in Jesus
- But are not living that out.
- How many of us who call Refuge or another church home
- Which have smart phones with access to millions of quality sermons and devotionals, rarely if ever, use our devices to encourage and build up our souls
- Which will last for eternity.
- So many of us
- Are living like these Jewish leaders
- Having every opportunity and reason to know God & love him more
- And just not doing it.
- Believers- pursue Christ – today & every day this week.
- Don’t pursue health, wealth, pleasure, & happiness apart from Christ & His Word.
- You see – when God – in His sovereign control
- Saves someone
- It changes them
- There is a ripple affect
- That affects every part of their life
- And it starts simply
- God I don’t got it, I’m a sinner, and I believe that Jesus died for me. Help me. Rescue me.
- Have you ever gotten to that point?
- Are you still there?
- Today is a great day to let go of your trying
- And grab hold of the ‘Rope of Hope’ Jesus Christ.
- Stop trying on your own
- You won’t make it
- You won’t pull it off
- You cannot fake it til you make it
- Believe IN Jesus today
- And watch Him move!
- Doesn’t matter your past
- JEsus is enough
- Run to him, cling to him
- Doesn’t matter how old or young
- Salvation is available
- Oh my hope is many of you, are part of the some who believed.
- What are you waiting for.
- Trust in Jesus.
- Let’s pray.
- “Paul preached to all comers; and there soon were ‘saints in Caesar’s household.’ … his imprisonment actually helped the gospel.” -J. Vernon McGee
- “Imprisonment will interrupt your evangelistic strategy, but it will not interrupt God’s evangelistic strategy.” -John Piper
- “Paul’s sufferings were not accidents to be lamented apart from purpose; they were part of his stewardship for the gospel and therefore an occasion for faithful witness.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Acts 28:11-28 ‘11 After three months we set sail in xa ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods4 as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found ybrothers5 and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And ythe brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, zPaul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, aPaul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.’
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, bthough I had done nothing against our people or cthe customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they dwished to set me at liberty, ebecause there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled fto appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against gmy nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is hbecause of ithe hope of Israel that I am wearing jthis kchain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of lthe brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this msect we know that everywhere nit is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening ohe expounded to them, testifying to pthe kingdom of God and qtrying to convince them about Jesus rboth from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And ssome were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: t“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 u“‘Go to this people, and say, v“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 wFor this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and xturn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that ythis zsalvation of God ahas been sent to the Gentiles; bthey will listen.”6
Warren Wiersbe
- ***Paul was greatly encouraged when he met them, as well he might be. Now he could fellowship with the saints and they could be a blessing to one another. -Warren Wiersbe (vs 14-15) -Warren Wiersbe
- Paul had faithfully given his witness to the Jews in Rome, and now he would turn to the Gentiles.
- **It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving. If anybody should have possessed spiritual understanding, it was these Jewish leaders, but their hearts were dull and hard. Too often those who enjoy the most spiritual privileges are not ready when they must make spiritual decisions. -Warren Wiersbe
- He announced that the gospel some of the Jews had rejected would be proclaimed to the Gentiles, ‘and they will hear it!’ This is one of the major themes of Acts, how the gospel moved from the Jews to the Gentiles and from Jerusalem to Rome.
- **Paul kept ‘open house’ and received anybody who wanted to discuss the things of the Kingdom of God. He was chained to a guard who was relieved every six hours, but who was forced to listen as Paul preached and taught and prayed. No wonder some of them were saved. -Warren Wiersbe (Philippians 1:12-14, 4:22
- During these two years in Rome, Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.
- Dr. Luke ended his book before Paul’s case had been heard, so he could nto give us the result of the trial.
- **Wherever he (Paul) went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Christ. -Warren Wiersbe
- Next Week – Tradition tells us that he was beheaded at Rome in Ad 67/68.
- Next Week – Luke did not write his book simply to record ancient history. He wrote to encourage the church in every age to be faithful to the Lord and carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. ‘What was begun with so much heroism ought to be continued with ardent zeal,’ said Charles Spurgeon, ‘since we are assured that the same Lord is might still to carry on His heavenly designs.’ ‘Lo I am with you always!’
General commentary:
- 1. F. F. Bruce (quoted in a teaching post)
- “There is a cluster of words and phrases here… ‘took bread’, ‘gave thanks’, ‘broke it’… which are familiar in a Eucharistic setting. This supports the view of many commentators that the meal here was a Eucharistic meal.”
- 2. John Calvin (commentary on Acts 28)
- “The stubbornness of one age only is not there noted, but that the oracle of the Spirit is extended unto the time to come.”
- 3. John Piper (Desiring God article reflecting on Acts 28)
- “Can the gospel spread, and thousands be converted, and churches grow, and love abound where Christianity is continually spoken against? Yes. It not only can, it has.”
- 4. R. C. Sproul (sermon summary on Acts 28:17–31)
- “The Apostle Paul longed to preach the gospel in the capital city of the Roman Empire… When he arrived as a prisoner under house arrest, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God despite his chains.” -R.C. Sproul
- 5. J. Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible commentary on Acts 28)
- “Paul preached to all comers; and there soon were ‘saints in Caesar’s household.’ … his imprisonment actually helped the gospel.” -J. Vernon McGee
- 6. F. F. Bruce (scholar’s opening remarks on Acts, quoted in teaching material)
- “The earliest preachers of the gospel knew the value of… first-hand testimony, and appealed to it time and again.” (used by commentators to explain Luke’s careful reporting in Acts, including chapter 28).
- 7. John Stott (summary line used in Acts resources)
- “Authentic Christianity — the Christianity of Christ and his apostles — is supernatural Christianity. It is rather a resurrection religion, a life lived by the power of God.”
- 8. David Guzik (pastoral commentary summary of Acts 28)
- “Paul Arrives In Rome — Preaching With All Confidence.” (concise pastoral summary used to capture Luke’s portrait of Paul’s witness in Rome).
On focus of evangelism and ministry even while in chains
- 1) John Piper (b. 1946)
- “Imprisonment will interrupt your evangelistic strategy, but it will not interrupt God’s evangelistic strategy.” -John Piper
- 2) R. C. Sproul (1939–2017)
- “When he arrived as a prisoner under house arrest, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God despite his chains.”
- 3) John MacArthur (b. 1939)
- “Paul’s confinement did not silence his witness; he received all who came and preached with unwavering confidence.”
- 4) Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899–1981)
- “Paul’s sufferings were not accidents to be lamented apart from purpose; they were part of his stewardship for the gospel and therefore an occasion for faithful witness.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones
- 5) J. Vernon McGee (1904–1988)
- “Even in chains, Paul’s vision and mission were clear — imprisonment actually helped the gospel advance.”
- 6) Adrian Rogers (1931–2005)
- “The apostle Paul saw opportunity in every difficulty — put him in prison and he still was the man of God who brought others to Christ.” -Adrian Rodgers
- 7) A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)
- “You cannot go into a death cell and preach a lunatic and have that man ready to die, die happy and singing hymns.” (Tozer on the seriousness and urgency of faithful, effectual preaching even to those in desperate circumstance.)
- 8) Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892)
- “Paul’s heroism … was self-contained, deliberate, and as sure to display itself in the solitude of a dungeon as in the assembly of the faithful.”
- 9) John Stott (1921–2011)
- “Authentic Christianity — the Christianity of Christ and his apostles — is supernatural Christianity; it is a life lived by the power of God,” (a reminder that Paul’s witness in confinement depended on divine power, not circumstances).
- 10) (Pastoral summary often attributed to conservative expositor/teachers — representative quote)
- “Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house… receiving all who came in, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching with all confidence” — used by many pastors to emphasize that Paul prioritized preaching and hospitality even while constrained.
Brotherly love/one another if
- John Stott (1921-2011)
“Mutual Christian love is the evidence that ‘the unseen God, who was once revealed in His Son, is now revealed in His people … when they love one another.’”
— In his commentary on 1 John, Stott insists that love among Christians isn’t optional or just nice, but is how God’s presence becomes visible in the community. - R. Kent Hughes (1935-2021)
In discussing Hebrews 13:1 (“let brotherly love continue”) Hughes says: “For these new Christians, loving other believers was as easy as falling off a log. They could not wait to get to church where they could drink in the fellowship of the godly.” -R. Kent Hughes
— He highlights how the early Christians saw loving each other and fellowship not as burdens, but as joy and something deeply desired. - C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
From Christ’s “New Commandment” sermon:
“Let brotherly love continue and let the warmth of your affection towards one another increase.”
— Spurgeon urges Christians not just to have love for one another, but for that love to grow in affection, warmth, and visible fellowship. - John Stott again, in Walking in Truth and Love (2 John)
“We love each other not because we are temperamentally compatible, or because we are naturally drawn to one another, but because of the truth which we share.” -John Stott
— This is a really helpful reminder that the “one another” commands (love, fellowship, etc.) are rooted in shared truth, not in comfort or personal preference. - J. I. Packer (1926-2020)
“The fellowship of sharing with one another what we have received from the Lord is a spiritual necessity. For God has not made us self-sufficient.” -J.I. Packer
— Emphasizes that Christians are built for mutual edification: so sharing, instructing, encouraging one another is not optional but necessary for our spiritual health. - Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), Charity: The First Part
“This sacred affection is a very good and distinguishing note of true grace … The expressions properly signify, cleaving one to another with brotherly, natural, strong endearment.”
— Edwards emphasizes how Christians should cling to one another in love, as a mark of true grace. - Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections
“A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken-hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires. Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory, is a humble broken-hearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit, and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behaviour.”
— It shows how Christian love among believers is humble, tender, and life-changing in personal behavior. - Jonathan Edwards, Christian Charity
“That the grace of love to our brethren, among Christians, is not only frequently commended, but sometimes strongly pressed in the Scriptures, as a duty that must be cultivated and exercised.” -Jonathan Edwards
— He reminds believers that love among Christians is commanded, urged, essential. - Jonathan Edwards, Charity: First Part
“We must not only love our neighbour as ourselves, but as Christ hath loved us … so must we be willing to deny ourselves in order to help one another.”
John MacArthur (b. 1939), from “Love for Other Christians” (Daily Devotions)
“Loving other Christians gives assurance to your own faith. … Genuine believers will show love, since love is inherent in our new nature.”