Category: Love
Subject: Love
Sermon: Faith, Love, Hope
The text of 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 talks about the work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope that defines the Christian experience. The subject was a favorite one of the great Apostle.
God’s Imperative
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Paul speaks of many wonderful and important things in the first three verses of this wonderful chapter. He refers to the important sign of tongue speaking. He writes of inspired prophecy. He mentions faith and generous acts of benevolence. He refers even to martyrdom, the supreme sacrifice of life for God. Then he says that without love, none of these things have value.
Be The Exception
A friend recently lent me a book to read. There is much good material in it. In one chapter, the basic premise is the need to recognize that the world is broken.
It is not something that should shock us. Rather than get surprised and offended when we see evil, we should instead note its commonality, and give thanks to God for His intervention and ultimate cure for sin. Following is a quote from the book:
War is not exceptional; peace is. Worry is not exceptional; trust is. Decay is not exceptional; restoration is. Anger is not exceptional; gratitude is. Selfishness is not exceptional; sacrifice is. Defensiveness is not exceptional; love is. And judgmentalism is not exceptional… But grace is.
(Brant Hansen, Unoffendable, page 40)
It is in this way that Christians are able to be an influence for good in our world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). In the midst of a broken world, we are to be peacemakers, to trust in God, to edify, to give thanks, to give, to love, and to forgive.
We are to be as God is, who has extended His grace to all mankind. It is easy to “walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (cf. Ephesians 4:17). Instead, “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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Loving in Deed
It is not surprising that the apostle John is known and the apostle of love. He frequently talked about love. In his epistles, he especially exhorted Christians to show love for one another.
One such example of these exhortations is found in 1 John 3. In verse 16 he reveals the quality of that love, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I imagine that on our best day, we all can imagine ourselves to show such nobility, standing in the breech and laying down our lives in the ultimate loving sacrifice.
In the next breath, though, John continues, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (vs. 17).
Perhaps we flatter ourselves in thinking we are capable of the grandest of sacrifices, when we find ourselves put out by the smallest of needs. The next time a brother or sister expresses a need — a ride to the doctor, a meal, a ear to listen, a comforting hug — don’t let any perceived inconvenience on your part keep you from showing your true love for them.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth” (vs. 18)!
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We MUST Love Our Brethren
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).
John’s words ring so true. Men have been “made in the similitude of God” (James 3:9). Thayer defines the word “similitude”, 1) a making like; 2) likeness. When we combine the facts that men are made like God, and our Christian brethren have the motivations, principles and character that He personifies, it is simply not possible to have love for Him and animus for them.
Further, we profess a love for God when we know Him only by Faith. We have not seen Him. We know of His character and person only as they are revealed in His word, His creation, and His providential care for us. That doesn’t mean our profession of love is not true. But, our brethren we know experientially. We see them, converse with them, live with them, worship with them, work with them. If we hate them, our profession of love for the God they emulate is demonstrably hollow.
If we truly love God, we will keep His commandments (cf. John 14:15). “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
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Sermon: For Conscience’ Sake
Paul expresses the type of attitude we should have toward Jews, Gentiles and God’s people, always expressing and showing concern for how our actions may impact our reputation, and the spiritual welfare of others.
Sermon: Love One Another
Romans 13:8-ff is used to discuss our obligations to love one another.
Sermon: “Therefore let us”
Paul’s language in Philippians 3 describes a wonderful relationship between believers, as we together seek to gain the resurrection, and an eternal reward in heaven.
Put on Love
“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12).
Paul, in this passage is discussing the character of the elect of God. He calls upon them to be holy, humble, kind, longsuffering, and willing to forgive. The overriding command is to put on love.
It is observed that the call to love is the overriding commandment of God. It encapsulates the law and the prophets (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). It is the characteristic that will preeminently identify a man or woman as a disciple of Jesus. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
In our text, this love is referred to as “the bond of perfection.” This word indicates a measure of completeness, or maturity to which the child of God strives. One who is capable of loving as God expects is a mature, complete Christian. Without love, regardless of the good works done, it is of no real profit (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3). True Christian charity, or love, is indispensable. It serves to bind the other Christian graces together.
Do you want to be perfect, complete, whole? Put on love!
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Sermon: The Church – God’s Family
The lesson discusses the various attributes that should be present in the church, which is described as God’s family. They are Love, Selflessness, Unity, Affection, Dependability and Encouragement.
Faith, Love, Hope (Colossians 1:1-8) [Video 1-2]
Note: The video suffers from an echo emanating from Jeremiah’s microphone. However, the majority of the teaching done in this video is from Stan, so the video is still worth a viewing. We will have the echo fixed in subsequent videos.
Sermon: Resolving Family Conflicts
A discussion of the Biblical principles that will help to resolve, or even avert conflicts in families.
Are You a Friend to Jesus?
Invitation by: Josh Jackson
The text of John 15 is discussed to indicate the necessity of expressing our love for Jesus, by being obedient to Him.
Sermon: Perfect Hatred
There is a sense in which Christians not only can “hate”, but must. However, this hatred must be in accord with God’s word and will. A proper understanding of the principles will assist the Christian in pleasing God.
