LOVE
Fruit of the Spirit
(25-06-2023)
INTRODUCTION:
Our message series is on the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is all about growing more like Jesus. When you become a Christian, God gives you the Holy Spirit to help you and change you. The Holy Spirit works to develop the character of Christ within you. The fruit of the Spirit is a beautiful picture or portrait of Jesus. And God wants your life to reflect that beautiful picture.
It’s no surprise that love is the first fruit listed. Throughout the New Testament, love is highlighted as one of the chief characteristics of Christians and there are dozens of Bible verses about love.
First, we’re called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We’re called to delight in God, pursue Him, and give all we have for Him. God is worthy of our deepest affection and highest praise.
On Valentine's Day everybody may be talking about love but do most people really understand how important real love is-to a marriage-to a relationship-to the home-to the Christian life-even to the church!
Why Paul starts with Love?
The heart of Paul’s exhortation is found in 5:1–2. Nowhere else in Scripture did Paul so directly call believers to be like God, although it is implied in many places. After all, humans are made in God’s image; we are like him and are to put on the new self, created like God (see 4:24).
1 Corinthians 13:2
Paul says “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, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
Illustration
During World War II, Hitler commanded all religious groups to unite so that he could control them. Among the Brethren assemblies, half complied and half refused. Those who went along with the order had a much easier time. Those who did not, faced harsh persecution. In almost every family of those who resisted, someone died in a concentration camp. When the war was over, feelings of bitterness ran deep between the groups and there was much tension. Finally they decided that the situation had to be healed. Leaders from each group met at a quiet retreat. For several days, each person spent time in prayer, examining his own heart in the light of Christ's commands. Then they came together.
Francis Schaeffer, who told of the incident, asked a friend who was there, "What did you do then?" "We were just one," he replied. As they confessed their hostility and bitterness to God and yielded to His control, the Holy Spirit created a spirit of unity among them. Love filled their hearts and dissolved their hatred.
When love prevails among believers, especially in times of strong disagreement, it presents to the world an indisputable mark of a true follower of Jesus Christ.
1. John 13:34
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
2. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:8
“LOVE NEVER FAILS”!
3. 1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knowth not God; for GOD IS LOVE.
4. Matthew 13:8
Love is the parent of all the other fruit. All Spiritual fruit grows out of the soil of love. Forgiveness grows out of the soil of love.
5. 1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knowth not God; for GOD IS LOVE. GREAT IS THE YIELD OF THE FERTILE FIELD.
4 Types of Love
1. Eros: Erotic, Passionate Love (????
We might as well get that one out of the way first. Eros is erotic or sexual or passionate love. It's often all about need and it's more about the person who's feeling sexually attractive than it is about the person who is the focus of that love or thing that is the focus of that love. It is addicting. It can cause great joy and great sorrow. It isn't always good for you. More hearts are broken on Valentine's Day due to the unfulfillment of erotic love.
2. Philia: Love of Friends and Equals (F???a)
We might as well get that one out of the way first. Eros is erotic or sexual or passionate love. It's often all about need and it's more about the person who's feeling sexually attractive than it is about the person who is the focus of that love or thing that is the focus of that love. It is addicting. It can cause great joy and great sorrow. It isn't always good for you. More hearts are broken on Valentine's Day due to the unfulfillment of erotic love.
3. Storge: Love of Parents for Children (st????)
We might as well get that one out of the way first. Eros is erotic or sexual or passionate love. It's often all about need and it's more about the person who's feeling sexually attractive than it is about the person who is the focus of that love or thing that is the focus of that love. It is addicting. It can cause great joy and great sorrow. It isn't always good for you. More hearts are broken on Valentine's Day due to the unfulfillment of erotic love.
4. Agape: Love of Mankind (a??p?)
The love modeled on the love of the Christian God for men and the love of man for God. It's the love that is given whether or not it's returned. It's the love without any self benefit.
Illustration
Seoul -- At his father's funeral, American Carl Lewis placed his 100-meter gold medal from the 1984 Olympics in his father's hands. "Don't worry," he told his surprised mother. "I'll get another one."
A year later, in the 100-meter final at the 1988 games, Lewis was competing against Canadian world-record-holder Ben Johnson. Halfway through the race Johnson was five feet in front. Lewis was convinced he could catch him. But at 80 meters, he was still five feet behind. It's over, Dad, Lewis thought. As Johnson crossed the finish, he stared back at Lewis and thrust his right arm in the air, index finger extended. Lewis was exasperated. He had noticed Johnson's bulging muscles and yellow-tinged eyes, both indications of steroid use.
"I didn't have the medal, but I could still give to my father by acting with class and dignity," Lewis said later. He shook Johnson's hand and left the track. But then came the announcement that Johnson had tested positive for anabolic steroids. He was stripped of his medal. The gold went to Lewis, a replacement for the medal he had given his father.
What is true love?
1. A True Love cares: (Philemon: 1. 8 - 20).
2. A True Love Protects (Exodus: 32. 30-35).
3. A True Love Forgives (John 3.16. Romans 5:8).
Conclusion
1. Love is a sincere expression of unselfishness.
2. It is miraculously capable of defeating competition.
3. bring healing into hurting relationships and nullifying the plans of our enemy.
4. Sacrificial love for one another alone is capable of preserving the unity of the saints.
United we stand, divided we fall.
