Love
Luke 7:11-17 – And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
From Luke 7:11-17, there are three specific applications for our lives today:
1. Opportunities for ministry happen every day. Opportunities to be a blessing and service others will often come outside of the church building. Every day, we have opportunities to minister to others while driving to work, shopping at the supermarket, and going to the moves.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth… 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a KJV
God is love (1 John 4:8). Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and consider how God suffers long, is kind to you…etc.
When we love one another, Jesus says all men will know we are His disciples (John 13:34-35). Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and consider how you should suffer long, be kind to others…etc.
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Matthew 9:1-8 – And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
When Jesus came into His own city, friends of a paralytic was brought to Jesus. They believed Jesus was able to heal him. When Jesus considered the faith of those that brought the paralytic, He healed him.
In processing the friends’ faith, they not only believed Jesus could heal their friend, but they were also motivated by several emotions. As their faith encouraged them to action, they exercised compassion, belief in Jesus, and hope.
Matthew 22:39 – …Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
People that experience mistreatment and verbal or physical abuse often grow to conduct the same behavior toward others. Children take on the destructive behaviors of their parents when they have children themselves. Husbands abuse their spouses in the same manner they witnessed their mother being abused. Young girls learn to use their femininity as a means to get what they want because they watched their mothers and other adult women do the same.
Matthew 5:43-48 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
If you want to be perfect as your Father is perfect:
1. Love your enemies.
2. Bless them that curse you.
3. Do good to them that hate you.
4. Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.
We were once enemies of God, yet He showed us mercy through Jesus. He blessed us though we cursed Him. He was good to us, even when we hated Him. Jesus prayed for us when we were selfish, hateful, evil, and filled with sin. The Lord has shown us His perfection. May we show our perfection by loving, blessing, and praying for our enemies.
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The Lord wants you to love.
Everyday we meet people at their worst, living contrary to our beliefs, and care very little about themselves or others. And though they may not say it or show it, each of them wants or needs love.
Love is what we owe every person, whether we agree with their behavior or not. Love transcends sex, race, position, rank, and condition. Everyone deserves to be loved.
You don’t need a spiritual gift to love. It’s the one thing we all can do.
Romans 13:8 – Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
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1 Corinthians 12:13-14 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
1. One God…many denominations. Across the landscape of Christendom, there are hundreds, if not thousands of separate denominations and churches. Some are separated due to personal convictions or callings to specific locations and people groups, but many are due to varying doctrinal beliefs and earthly traditions. Sadly, these differences have created great schisms in the body of Christ.
Matthew 22:35-40 – Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Our lives are filled with many goals, dreams, and desires. We think about losing more weight, starting a new hobby, saving more money, getting a promotion, etc. However, how often do we think about loving the Lord more?
What does it mean to love the Lord thy God with ALL your heart, soul, and mind?
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13 is affectionately known in some circles as the ‘Love Chapter.’ Many people have come to describe the characteristics of love through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. However, I believe it is just as important that we do not miss the importance of having love in our lives when compared to other gifts, abilities, etc. in the world.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the spiritual gifts and the unity of each gift, as they are given by the same Spirit. In closing this section, he stated that he would yet show them a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Across many churches today, people are fascinated with power given specific spiritual gifts. Like Paul exclaimed in 1 Corinthians 12:31, they too covet these gifts. We keep such individuals in high regards and places of authority and honor. However…
Hebrews 12:6-13 – For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Not too many people like to be punished. As children, we dreaded the punishment that would come after getting into trouble. Sometimes the wait was long and it added to our anxiety. We didn’t want to be punished and didn’t like it before or after, but there was a definite purpose behind it. Our parents punished us because they acknowledged what we did was wrong and they were not going to allow our behavior to continue – only to get worse. They loved us.
The Lord chastises everyone He loves. He chastises us to correct our sinful behavior. He displines us and places us in situations that will allow us to grow in righteousness. He loves you.
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