INTRODUCTION: We know that Christ loved and continues to love us. But do we know how important it is that we love Him? The Bible states in no uncertain terms that if God is our Father, then we will love Christ (John 8:42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
See All...). Therefore, a lack of love for Christ is a proof of a lost condition. This truth is backed up by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
See All... where he states, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” That is, let him be accursed and O Lord, come. Your love for Christ therefore is a very serious thing. How is this love defined? To what extent should we love Him? This is the topic of this message.

1. RESPONSIVELY
1. 1 John 4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
   See All... – We love him, because he first loved us.
2. Our Love for Christ is Based on His Love for Us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 [14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
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2. BELIEVINGLY
1. 1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
   See All... – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
2. We Love Him Though We Have Not Seen Him
3. SINCERELY
1. Ephesians 6:24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
   See All... – Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
2. By the Sincerity of our Love (2 Corinthians 8:8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
   See All...; 6:6
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3. Avoiding an Outward Show with No Truth (Jeremiah 3:10And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
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4. SUPREMELY
1. Matthew 10:37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
   See All... – He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
2. Christ Must Have the First Place in our Love (Colossians 1:18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
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5. OBEDIENTLY
1. John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
   See All... – If ye love me, keep my commandments.
2. John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
   See All... – He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
3. We Prove our Love by our Obedience to Him
6. HUMBLY
1. John 21:15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
   See All... – So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
2. Peter Had Bragged About His Devotion and had Failed (Matthew 26:33-35 [33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. [34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
   See All..., 73-75)
3. Peter is Now Grieved that Christ Asked Him a Third Time about his Love
7. FAITHFULLY
1. John 21:15-17 [15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
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2. Three Requests of Christ and Three Commands to Feed Point to the Importance of Faithfulness in our Love for Christ

CONCLUSION: Today, Christ asks you as He asked Peter, Lovest thou me? What is your answer to Him? Do you love Him? How do you answer Him? In pride? or in humility? How do you know you love Him? How does He know you love Him?