Category: Love
Subject: Love
Sermon: Brotherly Love
The text uses Paul’s epistle to Philemon to show how brotherly love can work wonders even during difficult times of potential conflict and trouble.
Invitation: Our Heart is Wide Open
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 6:11 the apostle Paul expresses his love for the Corinthians despite the necessity of admonishing them. We should have a wide open heart for one another, but not for the world!
Sermon: Keeping in the Love of God
Brantley Gallman uses the text of Jude to describe what is necessary to keep ourselves in the Love of God.
Sermon: Miscellaneous Admonitions
In Romans 15:1-13, the apostle delivered a number of concise admonitions to the Roman Christians, including the call to receive each other, be gentle and charitable, edify one another, glorify God, rejoice, Praise the Lord, etc. These admonitions are discussed in the lesson.
Sermon: Selflessness – Love’s Foundation
The sermon identifies God’s definition of Love in its highest expression. Agape love is founded upon the principle of selflessness. It is expressed in God’s sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. It must be mirrored in our expressions of love to others.
Sermon: Paul’s Exasperated Love for the Church at Corinth
2 Corinthians 12 & 13. A series of admonitions and expressions of love to the church at Corinth, a congregation that greatly vexed the apostle.
Sermon: One Another
A textual examination of a number of verses where the phrase “one another” is found. The lesson emphasizes our need to love our brethren in Christ, with an explanation of ways this love is to be demonstrated.
Invitation: The Character of the New Man
Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell
Justin gives a paraphrase of Colossians 3, as Paul describes the character of the new man of Christ.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Love and Tolerance are Different Things!
While on the internet earlier this week I came across a quote by Rick Warren. There are many things that Warren teaches that are not true, but he got it right with this statement:
Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense.
You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.
This truth can easily be demonstrated with the parent/child relationship. Many children grow up to embrace beliefs or practices that their parents reject. The parents will express disapproval and may be intolerant of such rebellion, but that in no way indicates a lack of love.
The same thing is true regarding our interactions with one another as Christians. Paul wrote (cf. Galatians 6:1-2) that it is the spiritual man’s duty to correct his brother who is in sin. To do so is an expression of love.
It is also an expression of love to convict the alien sinner of his personal guilt when it comes to sinning against God. It is our duty to the world to seek to save their souls from sin. When we condemn their sin and call them to repentance, we are not hating them. We are practicing charity!
Invitation: There is No Profit Without Love
Invitation delivered by: Chad Gallman
As we contemplate the holiday seasons, and those less fortunate, Chad reminds us of the importance of acting with love and selflessness toward God and man.
Invitation: Submitting to One Another
Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell
Justin describes the aspect of love that would preclude a Christian offending his brother or sister in Christ.
Mining the Scriptures: Philemon 18-25
In these final verses, Paul continued the theme of charity that was the central part of the entire letter. He called upon Philemon to receive Onesimus back as an expression of charity. He then indicated a willingness to shoulder some of that burden himself — again as a demonstration of his love both for the slave Onesimus, and for Philemon as well.
If any loss had come to Philemon because of his slave’s actions, Paul pledged to repay it. However, he reminded Philemon of the debt he owed to Paul, “you owe me even your own self besides” (vs. 19). This should not be construed as an attempt by Paul to manipulate Philemon into absorbing any loss himself. No, Paul’s offer to repay was legitimate and sincere. Rather, Paul encouraged Philemon to note that he too owed a debt, and would desire a gracious response by Paul, as the one to whom he owed his spiritual life. As such, by Paul’s reasoning, he should respond in kind towards Onesimus. This principle was established in the “golden rule” (cf. Luke 6:31), as well as Jesus’ model prayer (Matthew 6:12).
Regardless, Paul expressed his confidence that Philemon would surpass his expectations. Content with that, he offered his salutations, and closed this beautiful letter to his beloved friend.
Invitation: The Right Way to be Right
Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell
Justin explains that while it is necessary to be right concerning the things of God, such should emanate from a love for God and truth, not pride.
Invitation: The Greatest Gift of Love
Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox
Jeremiah points out in his talk that God’s gift of His Son, sent to earth to die on the cross for the sins of man, constitutes the greatest gift ever given to mankind.
Invitation: A Story about Joe
Invitation delivered by: Darren Johnson
Darren gives a concise history of the man who penned the poem that was put to music, and is now known by the title, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” His life was an example of Jesus’ call to obey the two great commandments, Love God and Love your neighbor.
