In Deed and In Truth

Nowadays, it’s getting harder and harder to know what’s real. There are so many counterfeits out there. It’s not just with AI, but in everyday life, too. There’s fake money, jewellery, designer clothing, leather, flowers, paintings, and even autographed memorabilia. The list goes on.

And all of this says something about us as a society. If it weren’t for us, none of these bad imitations would exist. But we can be fake ourselves. We can be insincere and deceptive. This issue stems from our broken, sinful nature. So, should we be surprised when God tells us in his Word to love others…genuinely? He knows how we struggle in this.

We are called to love others, and this week we will see what it means to be sincere in our love for God and others. The best way to do this is to actually care about others. Not just say we do because we know we should. That’s not good enough.

Join us as we look to 1 John 3:11-18 and consider what it means to love God and others genuinely.

Series: Real Love
Message 6: In Deed and In Truth
Text: 1 John 3:11-18
Patrice Charade
Harvest Alliston
May 17, 2026

As I love God and love people genuinely, I will… (v. 11

…show the marks of a new life (v. 12, 14–15)

Love and hatred are moral opposites, but hatred and murder, belong to the same sphere of death.
– The New American Commentary, Daniel Akin

…be hated by the world (v. 13)

John 15:19

…pour myself out for others (v. 16)

John 15:13

He said it, knowing that he was heading for the cross: an instrument of torture so horrific that it was not even spoken of in polite Roman society. He said it, knowing that the cross had always been the plan.
– Rebecca McLaughlin, Is Easter Unbelievable

…open my heart to the needy (v. 17)

Life Groups are not about one person ministering to the group, but rather the group ministering to each other.

…back up my words with action (v. 18)