What Does Love Look Like?
(I Corinthians 13:4-8a)
NIV 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8. Love never fails.
Paul lists sixteen characteristics of agape love.
1. Love is patient.
The Greek word (makrothumei) when used in the New Testament always describes patience with people and not patience with circumstances.
It is the word used of the man who is wronged and who has it the power to avenge himself and will not do it. It is used of God in his relationship with men. In our dealings with men we must exercise the same patience as God exercises with us. Such patience is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. We are called to exercise patient with one another:
NIV Proverbs 14:29
29. A patient man has great understanding
NIV Proverbs 15:18
18. ...a patient man calms a quarrel.
NIV Ephesians 4:2
2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:14
14. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
NIV Galatians 5:22
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience
NIV Colossians 3:12
12. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
NIV 2 Timothy 4:2
2. Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Agape love is controlled strength, bearing with others!
2. Love is kind.
The Greek word is (chresteuetai) and means “to show oneself useful”. Origen says it means a love that is "sweet to all." So much Christianity is good but unkind. There are so many good Church people who love to criticize and hurt others! We are called to be kind:
NIV Proverbs 12:25
25. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
NIV Proverbs 14:21
21. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
NIV Proverbs 19:17
17. He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
NIV Ephesians 4:32
32. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:15
15. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
NIV 2 Timothy 2:24
24. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Love is kind, gracious, gentle and useful, it seeks to build up not tear down!
3. Love does not envy.
The Greek word is (zeloi) from (zeo) which means “to boil”; to covet;
to earnestly desire. There are also two kinds of envy.
The one who covets the possessions of other people.
The one who resents the fact that others should have what he or she has not; they do not so much want those things for themselves they wish that others did not have them. What is the difference between jealousy and envy?
Definition:
Jealousy - An intense emotion which may be seen in a positive light as zeal or in a negative light as envy. It is a single-minded devotion which, when turned inward, produces envy of others or, when turned beyond one's self, produces zeal leading to selflessness.
The Bible is filled with examples of the despair that envy brings:
Rachel is envious of Leah (Genesis 30:1).
Joseph’s brother’s become envious of Joseph (Genesis 37:11).
Saul becomes envious of David (I Samuel 18:9).
Chief priests became envious of Jesus and had Him arrested (Mark 15:10).
Envy is a poison to our spiritual system!
NIV Job 5:2
2. ...envy slays the simple.
NIV Proverbs 14:30
30. ...envy rots the bones.
NIV Ecclesiastes 4:4
4. ...I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless,
NIV James 3:16
16. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
NIV Psalms 37:1
1. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
Agape love demonstrates an attitude of contentment with what we have and with our place in life. It strives only to serve and sacrifice!
4. Love does not boast.
What is boasting?
Webster defines it as:
“to talk proudly about deeds, abilities, etc... in a manner showing to much pride and satisfaction”.
In this passage the Greek word is “perpereuomai” and means to exalt oneself.
Is boasting wrong? No! What can we boast about?
NIV Psalms 34:2
2. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
NIV Psalms 44:8
8. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
NIV 2 Corinthians 1:12
12. Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.
NIV 2 Corinthians 10:8
8. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
NIV 2 Corinthians 11:30
30. If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
NIV Philippians 2:14-16
14. Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15. so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
16. as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
NIV 2 Thessalonians 1:4
4. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
Agape love is not self-glorifying or self-gratifying!
Agape love is directed towards others...it is outwardly motivated...
it does not think of itself and how others will react to it...the love we are called to display expects nothing in return...not compliments...not pats on the head or back...not any “ata boys or girls...no rewards...no positive reinforcements...not even loved in return.
Most of us only show love towards those “we know” will return that love!
Why? We hate rejection! What practice “safe love”!
Love that will be appreciated.
Love that will be honored.
Love that will be rewarded.
The love we are called to live in and practice does not consider itself!
We are secondary. We are not impressed with ourselves. We love!
We do not boast in ourselves or our abilities...because our faith is in God and His abilities...all other boasting is foolish:
NIV Proverbs 27:1
1. Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
NIV Jeremiah 9:23-24
23. This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,
24. but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.
NIV Galatians 6:12-13
12. Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
NIV Ephesians 2:8-9
8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9. not by works, so that no one can boast.
NIV James 4:14-16
14. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
16. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.
NIV Jude 1:16
16. These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Some people give their love with the idea that they are bestowing a favor. We practice agape love by realizing that we are unworthy...the love we have is a gift...we did not earn it or pay for it...we do nothing to deserve it....we are only called to enjoy it and share it.
We actually have nothing to boast about except in God...”the Maker of all things” Jeremiah 10:16
All that we are...are that we have...all that we want to be...all that we are capable of doing...our very existence is because of God the Father!
NIV Acts 17:28
28. `For in him we live and move and have our being.'
Love does not boast (in itself)...It boasts in God!
5. Love is not proud.
What is “not proud”? I am proud of a lot of things. My family...my country...my church...a good sport...my wife...my job...I can think of many things that make my heart swell with great pride!
What is Paul speaking of exactly?
The word used here is “phusioo” meaning to inflate or swell up; to blow up; to puff oneself out like a set of bellows. TO SELF INFLATE!!!
This is not the feeling of pride in someone else’s accomplishments or position.
This is a preoccupations with your own self-importance and
self-worth. It is an unwarranted pride. A claiming of honors or credits not deserving. A unhealthy high opinion of yourself.
An exaggerated self-esteem. It is pure conceit!
It is what the Bible calls sin:
NIV Deuteronomy 8:11-14
11. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
12. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down,
13. and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,
14. then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
NIV 1 Samuel 2:1-3
1. Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2. "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3. "Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
NIV 2 Chronicles 32:24-25
24. In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.
25. But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.
NIV Psalms 40:4
4. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
NIV Psalms 131:1
1. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
NIV Proverbs 16:5
5. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
NIV Proverbs 21:4
4. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
NIV Isaiah 2:12
12. The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),
We are called to overcome pride and practice love which is directed to others:
NIV Romans 12:16
16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
We are called to humble ourselves and avoid pride:
NIV 1 Peter 5:5-6
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Jesus is our example of humility:
NIV Matthew 11:29
29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
What is humility? Jesus said:
NIV Matthew 23:12
12. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
The word Jesus used here is “tapinoo” meaning to depress or deflate; to bring low (get off your high horse!!!!!!)
That’s right!!!!!!!!.......
You don’t know everything...You can’t be everywhere...You can’t anticipate every problem or foresee every obstacle...You can’t please everyone...You can’t solve everyone’s problems...You can’t have it all...do it all...and see it all...Your not God...So stop trying!!!!!!!!!
Humility is not...just NOT...stealing credit or NOT pointing out your accomplishments. It is taking a position...a lowly posture...second place...maybe third...maybe honorable mention...maybe being a good loser!
Humility is letting others honor you...but not looking forward to it!
Humility is letting God honor you because He gets all the glory and the witness for His Son Jesus!!!
Can we take pride in anything? Yes!!! When you are taking pride in what God has done in you life not what you have done in your life!
When God is your focus, pride is appropriate! Paul was proud!
NIV 2 Corinthians 7:4-7
4. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.
6. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7. and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
NIV 2 Corinthians 8:24
24. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
NIV Galatians 6:1-4
1. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
NIV James 1:9-10
9. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
10. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
In the end pride comes when we forget God...that seems to be the overriding theme of the entire Bible...it is the driving force behind all sin...forgetting God!!!...From the garden in Genesis to the beast in Revelation:
NIV Revelation 13:4-7
4. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"
5. The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.
6. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.
Love is not proud...it does not need to self-inflate...puff itself up...we should remember who we are and whose we are.
Take pride in who God our Father is and what He has done in our lives!!
To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:11)
6. Love is not rude.
The word Paul uses here is “aschemoneo” which means to be indecent;
to be unseemly, insensitive or ill-mannered.
Put another way, it delights in hurting others. Love does not want to hurt! However, you wouldn’t know it, by the way most of act.
I’ve observed, that we really do want to hurt, or at lest jab at others, especially if we have been hurt.
It is easy to carry around anger and bitterness so long that it suddenly leeks out in the form of gossip, slander, teasing, bickering, malicious talk, or rage.
Why do we do and say such things?
I would like to offer four possible answers to this question.
One obvious answer is because we are still wrestling with our flesh.
We like Paul in Romans 7:15 seem to keep saying,
“I do not understand what I do.
For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”.
We are always at war with our sinful desires. We have two natures fighting it out in our minds. The Spirit and the flesh. Our flesh stills want satisfaction! Our minds still tend toward the desire to take control of the reins of our lives and crack the whip. We still want to do things our way. To do what we think is right.
We have a free choice, given to us by God, and we want to control our own lives!
We know best...we’re the smart ones...we’re the experienced ones...we’re the intelligent ones...we know what makes us happy...and comfortable...and healthy...and prosperous...and feel loved...and feel in control...WE KNOW!!
A second answer might be that we like to hide behind snide remarks and teasing rather then have courage to confront, IN LOVE, the person who is making us uncomfortable. Someone does or says something we don’t like and instead of approaching the person as Jesus command in Matthew 18:15 “"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you”, we would rather tease or gossip or slander the person behind their back! Or worse, we sit at home letting is fester and grow into hate and bitterness until we pop! It then comes spewing out in gossip, teasing or slander! Pride and fear is at the heart of this. We don’t like confrontation. We don’t want to muddy the water. We don’t want to rock the boat. We don’t want humble ourselves and admit we have a problem or that you bother me! We would rather hide behind slanderous words.
A third answer might be revenge. We do not want to wait for justice or for God to convict or wait for the person to come to their senses. We have been hurt...we will hurt back. Since we know better it is up to us to fire back and exact revenge. Again that nosy Paul says in Romans 12:19-21:
19. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Revenge is taking up where we think God has left off or left out of His plan! It is moving in on God’s territory. Treading where we do not belong.
Not leaving room for God’s divine will to be accomplished. The writer of Hebrews 10:30-32 explains:
30. For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
31. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
A final answer to this question of why, might be, because we suffer from a bad self-image. We gossip, slander, tease because we feel inadequate or ugly or fat or stupid, or not respected or not admired like others around us. We suffer from jealousy or envy of others abilities and talents. Instead of being loving and supportive we tease and joke at the other persons expensive. We have to make them look bad to make ourselves look better or at least make ourselves feel better. We hate how we look or act or talk or sing or teach or just pick something and we lash out with some clever words to deflect our anger. We forget who we are and Whose we are!!!!
Psalms 139:13-17 reminds us:
13. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
You could probable come up with other answers. There are many reasons why people are rude. Some people just like being rude and insensitive. Some Christians enjoy making people feel bad because of sins they have committed. They believe it is their job to convict people of their sins.
Some Christians are so self centered that they need to have things their way no matter who it hurts. The list goes on and on.
Paul says it with an explanation point in Romans 7:24-25:
24. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
25. Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
We are a mess! But Paul goes on to outline the solution to the problem in Romans 8:1-5:
1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
3. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
4. in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
5. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Jesus has “set me free” from influence of the flesh, from the grip of fear, from the control of revenge and from the crippling affects of a bad self-image. Jesus is my image now. Jesus is my vengeance. Jesus is my courage. Jesus is the Spirit controlling me! I do not have to deliberately hurt others! I have been set free! We are free to love! Jesus controls me! His love, for me, enables me, to love others. We are called to be gracious, sensitive, well-mannered, polite and respectful. God’s word is plan:
Colossians 4:5-6
5. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
6. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
7. Love is not self-seeking.
We are born selfish. (Adam & Eve) Paul knew it:
Philippians 2:21
21. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
The word Paul uses in I Corinthians 13:5 is “zeteo” meaning to seek; to worship; to plot; to desire, to make an effort, to enquire, for yourself or another. In this case all definitions point to “self”. ME, MYSELF & I!
We are self-seeking creatures. We insist on our privileges and our rights! We demand justice for ourselves!
All we seem to think about is: our place in line, our turn, our benefits, our discounts, our comforts, our status, our position, our opinions, our taste. When we begin to go down that path of self-centerness we began to drift away from agape love.
What are we seeking?
1. Our own righteosuness!
NIV Romans 10:1-4
1. Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
2. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
3. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
4. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
2. Our own philosophy and wisdom!
NIV 1 Corinthians 1:20-24
20. Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21. For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23. but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24. but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Selfishness sin!
1. It isolates us:
Proverbs 18:1
1. An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
2. It will bring God’s wrath:
Romans 2:6-8
6. God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
7. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
3. It is a part of the sinful nature:
Galatians 5:19-20
19. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20. idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
4. It is of the Devil and evil:
James 3:14-17
14. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
16. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
We are called to love and serve without thought for ourselves and our rights:
I Corinthians 10:24 & 31-33
24. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
31. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
32. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--
33. even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Philippians 2:3-4
3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Image how we could solve most of our problems today if we would think less of our rights and more of our duties.
We are called to seek higher and more eternal things:
1. The Word.
Psalms 119:35-36
35. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
36. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
2. God’s Kingdom & Righteousness.
Matthew 6:33
33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Colossians 3:1-3
1. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
3. Peace.
I Peter 3:9-12
9. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
11. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Imagine a world were Christians thought more about their responsibilities to love and serve and less about their personal rights and privileges!
We are born selfish, but as Christians we are re-born to service and sacrifice.
To display the attitude of Christ. Love is not self-seeking!
8. Love is not easily angered.
The Greek word used here is “paroxuno” which comes from two other Greek words “para” meaning sharp or acidic and “oxus” meaning near.
So this word describes one who is nearly sharp or easily sharp; one who is easily provoked; easily irritated; sharp in their demeanor; someone who is quick to “act badly” as a result of their anger.
Paul and Barnabas separated as a result of “paroxuno”:
Acts 15:35-40:
35. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
36. Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."
37. Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
38. but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
39. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40. but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
Paul again feel prey to this feeling:
Acts 17:10-17
10. As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
11. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
12. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
13. When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.
14. The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.
15. The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
16. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
There is a time when this kind of “sharpness” can be good:
Hebrews 10:24
24. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Anger itself is not a bad thing. It is okay to get angry. There are a lot of things to be angry about. But how we “act out” this anger, is were we have the potential to sinning.
Anger is not a sin, it is an emotional reaction to a threat.
God got angry:
Numbers 11:1
1. Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
2. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down.
Judges 2:11-14
11. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals.
12. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger
13. because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
14. In his anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
Jesus got angry:
Mark 3:1-6
1. Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.
2. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
3. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."
4. Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
5. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
6. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
John 2:13-16
13. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
15. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
You may be asking at this point, “Can I threaten God?” YES WE CAN!
A threat is simple the ability to cause grief, pain or annoyance.
Genesis 6:6
6. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
God and Jesus, of course, are perfectly qualified to exact judgment upon anyone they deem sinful, including bringing death and destruction!
We on the other hand, never have enough information to act on our anger in a way that is destructive. We are called to love and not find ourselves becoming exasperated. We have the love of God living and moving in us to show compassion. We do not bring the judgment or wrath of God to people, we bring the love and grace of God to people. We are called to love!
We are called to put away “inappropriate anger responses”:
Ephesians 4:26-27 & 29-31
26. "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27. and do not give the devil a foothold.
29. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Colossians 3:8
8. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Agape love never becomes exasperated with people. Love does not lose control. Love is not easily angered. God never loses control,
He is never easily angered:
Exodus 34:6
6. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Numbers 14:18
18. `The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'
We are called to show this kind of love:
James 1:19-20
19. My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20. for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Our anger “does not bring about” God’s righteousness, God’s self-control, God’s patience, God’s compassion, God’s grace, God’s mercy.
Our anger simple shows our defeat. Our lack of self-control.
Our anger can control us, instead of God controlling the anger inside of us.
When we lose our tempers, we lose everything.
Rudyard Kipling said “it is the test of a man if he could keep his head when everyone else was losing his and blaming it on him, and if when he is hated, he did not give way to hating”. Love is not easily angered!
9. Love keeps no record of wrongs.
The Greek phrase used here comes from two words, “logizomai” which means to take an inventory or estimate of and “kakos” which describes a worthless act, an injury, an evil or harm done. “Logizomai” was an accountant's term used for entering up an item in a ledger so that it will not be forgotten. Now, lets get something straight, right now.
There is a difference between forgetting and forgiving.
We are called to forgive:
Ephesians 4:32
32. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you
We forgive because we have been given the power to forgive by the blood of Jesus which has cleansed us of all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Forgiving is letting someone who has wronged you, off the hook, you are not going to make them pay for what they did to you!
Forgiveness sets you and your enemy free.
Forgetting on the other hand, is sometimes impossible and sometimes not a good idea. If I forget the fear of handling a gun carefully I might shoot myself or someone else.
Forgetting is not always good. In fact, we are called in scripture to remember so many things, as to not, forget God and what He has told us to do:
I Chronicles 16:11-12
11. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
12. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
We, on the other hand, never seemed to forget the wrongs done to us and we enjoy nursing bitterness, hatred and revenge in our hearts.
We make a special notes in the logbook of our minds of who has hurt us and wrongs us. We might even make sure to remind that person of how they have hurt us. We keep good records of wrongs and evils. We enjoy pouring over them to remind ourselves why we hate this person or that person.
We love holding on to grudges!
Why is holding on to grudges such a bad thing?
1. It’s a sin!
Leviticus 19:18
18. "`Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
2. It can create, in us, a desire to hurt or kill!
Genesis 27:41
41. Esau held a grudge(“natar” - to cherish or guard) against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
Mark 6:19-20
19. So Herodias nursed a grudge(“enecho” – to hold in or upon; to ensare) against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,
20. because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled ; yet he liked to listen to him.
3. It can keep us from being able to forgive and choosing to forget.
Jacob & Esau reconcile!
Genesis 32:6-11
6. When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."
7. In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.
8. He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."
9. Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, `Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,'
10. I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.
11. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.
Genesis 33:1-9
1. Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants.
2. He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear.
3. He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.
4. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
5. Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. "Who are these with you?" he asked. Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant."
6. Then the maidservants and their children approached and bowed down.
7. Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.
8. Esau asked, "What do you mean by all these droves I met?" "To find favor in your eyes, my lord," he said.
9. But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."
Caution is always advisable! Matthew 10:16-23
Grudges have know place in the Christian walk!
If God can choose to forgive and forget, meaning “erase the books”, so can we. We are empowered by His grace and mercy!
Psalms 103:8-13
8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10. he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12. as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
Love keeps no record of wrongs!
10. Love does not delight in evil.
Paul uses two Greek terms here, “delight”, chairo, which means:
to be cheerful, to be calmly happy, to be glad, to rejoice; and
“evil”, adikia, which means: an injustice, a wrongful act, an evil done.
Basically, his describing someone who delights in the misfortune of others. Someone who finds joy in the sins others commit or in the sins they are caught doing. Someone who takes pleasure in others failures or weaknesses. The word we use today is “gloating”, which Webster defines: “to grin scornfully, to stare, to gaze or think with exultation”.
The word “chairo” is used in:
Luke 22:1-6
1. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,
2. and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
3. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.
4. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.
5. They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
6. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Paul is describing that “nasty” pleasure which comes over most of us when we hear something derogatory about someone else.
The Bible is filled with example of people gloating over the misfortune of others:
Psalms 22:14-18
14. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
Psalms 35:16-21
16. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked ; they gnashed their teeth at me.
17. O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
19. Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21. They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."
The Lord detests our gloating over the poor, the misfortunate or our enemy.
Proverbs 17:5
5. He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 24:17-18
17. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
18. or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. We are to love our enemies: Matthew 5:44
“Gloating” is just another way of exalting yourself over another.
Luke 18:9-14
9. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
10. "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.
12. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13. "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14. "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Why do we prefer to hear of the misfortune of others rather than of their good fortune?
1. We have a bad self image! We feel like a failure, so we want others to feel what we feel, so we won’t feel so alone. “Misery loves company” That’s why their are so many “trash talk shows” on T.V. We love to know that their are other people who are a lot worse off then we are. It just makes us feel better.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? You or Jesus!
Colossians 3:9-10
9. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Romans 8:29
29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
2. We struggle with envy. Remember there are two kinds of envy.
The one who covets the possessions of other people and,
the one who resents the fact that others should have what he or she has not; they do not so much want those things for themselves, but they wish that others did not have them.
Envy is a disease that can cripple us and keep us from showing compassion:
Job 5:2
2. Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
Proverbs 14:30
30. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
We are called to love and show compassion, especially to those who are in trouble: the poor, the wretched, the enemy, the sinful.
Matthew 9:12-13
12. “...Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13. But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Agape love finds no pleasure in bad reports, but finds a great deal of pleasure in sharing the good news that we can be forgiven and cleansed. Love does not gloat! Love does not delight in evil! Love is compassionate!
11. Love rejoices with the truth.
Paul uses two different words to describe this aspect of love. “sugchairo” which means to sympathize in gladness, or to congratulate and “aletheia” which come from the Greek word “alethes” which means truth or more precisely not concealing the truth.
Truth is a hard thing for people to grasp and especially hard to face up to.
The truth hurts!
John 3:20-21
20. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
It is revealing!
Hebrews 4:13
13. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
It is convicting!
II Samuel 12:5-7 & 13
5. David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!
6. He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7. Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!...
13. Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
It is feared!
Genesis 18:13-15
13. Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, `Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'
14. Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."
15. Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."
It is often hidden, danced around, twisted and distorted! (Paul to the elders)
Acts 20:30
30. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
It is suppressed!
Romans 1:18
18. The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
It is exchanged for lies!
Romans 1:25
25. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator
It is rejected!
Romans 2:8
8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
There are times when we do not want the truth to prevail; when it is the last thing we want to hear. Agape love is glad when the truth prevails.
Illustration of “rejoicing in the truth”: John 4:4-42 Here is the point:
Jesus is Truth!
John 14:6
6. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
We are set free in the Truth, Jesus!
John 8:32
32. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
We are guided in Truth!
John 16:13
13. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
We are sanctified in Truth!
John 17:17
17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
We walk in Truth!
3 John 1:3
3. It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.
We love in Truth!
1 John 3:18
18. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
We work together in Truth!
3 John 1:8
8. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
We are a people of Truth!
1 Timothy 3:14-15
15. ...you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Yet, the truth is, we would rather live with or in a lie rather then enjoy the freedom of the Truth. We would rather conceal TRUTH. But, when we conceal the truth we are concealing JESUS! Real love is loyal to TRUTH!
When we hide the TRUTH we are siding with the Devil!
John 8:44
44. “...there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
When we are disobedient, we are not walking in the truth!
I John 2:4
4. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
When you face the TRUTH, you face JESUS, what are you going to say to Him? Whose side are you going the take? Love rejoices with the TRUTH!
12. Love always protects.
Paul uses a strange word to describe the next quality of agape love its the word “stego” which means to thatch, roof or build a deck over, to cover with silence. My mother always told me that if I had nothing good to say about someone, to say nothing at all. That’s kinda the idea Paul has in mind here.
(Illustration: Little girl, “Mister, you sure got one good eye!”
Agape love will never want to drag into the light of day the faults and mistakes of others just for the fun of it!!! Agape love would rather work toward quietly mending rather than publicly destroying.
This does not mean we ignore sin! We are called to address sin.
If we find it in ourselves we are to confess and repent:
Confess:
Numbers 5:6-7
6. `...When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty
7. and must confess the sin he has committed.
Psalms 32:3-5
3. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
5. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
James 5:16
16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Repent:
Jeremiah 15:19
19. Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me;
Ezekiel 14:6
`This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!
2 Corinthians 7:10
10. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,
2 Timothy 2:19
19. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
If we find it in the Church we are to confront, forgive, restore or avoid:
Confront:
Matthew 18:15-17
15. "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
16. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
17. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 5:23-24
23. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24. leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Forgive:
Luke 17:3-4
3. So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
4. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, `I repent,' forgive him."
Restore:
Galatians 6:1-2
1. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Avoid:
1 Corinthians 5:11
11. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
Sin is a serious thing and it must be confronted, but it a away that helps and heals. We must confront it with love and compassion in a way that protects and restores. We are called to be a shelter; a haven of rest; for the weary repentant sinner. We are to emulate that character of love displayed by our Father. God is described as “a shelter” for the weary and broken:
Psalms 27:5
5. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalms 31:20
20. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.
Psalms 61:3-4
3. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
4. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Psalms 91:1-2
1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
God confronted our sin with His Love and Compassion to restore us to Himself. Jesus died to destroy sin and protected the repentant sinner.
We are called to confront sin and protect the repentant sinner:
Ephesians 4:2
2. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Love shades, love quietly restores, love mends, love confronts, love protects! I Corinthians 16:14 “Do everything in love”
13. Love always trusts.
Paul uses the Greek word “pisteuo” which means “to have faith in, upon, or with respect to, a person??? (Who, God perhaps!) or thing, to entrust one's spiritual well-being to Christ”; this word comes from the root word “pistis” which means “believing in the truthfulness of God, especially faith in Christ for salvation”.
This can mean two things:
A. We can take God at His Word, Our faith in Him is secure.
B. We should always believe the best about people???????
Love gives the benefit of the doubt????????
This can not mean I can trust everybody or everything!!!!!
The Bible gives clear warnings about not trusting in everything or everybody you meet and even everybody you know:
Psalms 44:6-8
6. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
7. but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Psalms 62:10-12
10. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11. One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
12. and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Jeremiah 9:4-6
4. "Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.
5. Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.
6. You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.
Micah 7:5-7
5. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words.
6. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies are the members of his own household.
7. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Matthew 10:34-36
34. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35. For I have come to turn "`a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--
36. a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
We can not trust in everything or in everybody.
But, we can trust in God. We are instructed to put our trust in God:
Psalms 4:5
5. ...trust in the LORD.
Psalms 37:3
3. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Psalms 115:11
11. You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 26:4
4. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
John 14:1
1. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
God alone is trustworthy and it is in His Spirit, living in other believers,
that I can put my trust in. We prove ourselves untrustworthy all the time.
We are unreliable. We are fallible. We are flesh and blood. We make mistakes. However, we serve an infallible, trustworthy, immortal, totally reliable God! Who knows everything about everybody. Who can do anything He wants. Whenever He wants. With whomever He wants!
(Peter, little pebble, declared big faith, boulder, in Jesus Matthew 16:18).
I trust God! God, alone, can change things and people.
Our trust must always be directed towards Him:
Psalms 118:6-9
6. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7. The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
8. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
Nowhere in God’s word are we commanded to trust each other.
Quite the contrary. As we have read.
Jesus did not even trust everyone who followed Him:
John 2:23-25
23. Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.
24. But Jesus would not entrust (pistueo) himself to them, for he knew all men.
25. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.
This does not mean we can never trust one another. Trust is earned as we draw closer to each other. Trust is built on humility, venerability and intimacy. We learn to trust. We learn who we can trust.
We are called by Jesus to be careful:
Matthew 10:16-17a
16. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
17. "Be on your guard against men;
Love always trusts in what God can do. Love always trust in what God says.
Love enables us to begin to trust one another and to work together. Even if that trust is broken, God’s love enables us to forgive and work towards reconciliation and peace. Love always trusts!
14. Love always hopes.
Paul uses the word “elpizo” which means to expect; it comes the root word “elpis” which means to anticipate with pleasure, to have confidence, to have hopeful expectations.
This is NOT a wishing, “I sure hope things work out” kind of HOPE.
This is a “I know God is in control and He will work it out according to His Devine plan and all I need to do is believe” kind of HOPE!
This is a “knowing hope”! How important is HOPE?
1. Hope is one of the three main elements of Christian character:
1 Corinthians 13:13
13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love...
2. Hope is opposed to seeing or possessing:
Romans 8:24
24. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
1 John 3:2
2. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Our hope is based on faith not by sight! Our hope is an anticipation. A longing of God’s perfect will to be accomplished. A knowing that it will be accomplished.
Our hope is grounded on God’s promises and Jesus Christ testimony.
We are waiting and hoping for what we know is coming, which is God’s will revealed: in our circumstances, or witness, our plans, our desires, our dreams, our family, our friends, our career and so on! Grandma Comin!!!!
We know that:
Romans 8:28
28. ...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
3. Hope is a vital and basic element of the Christian life:
1 Peter 3:15
15. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Hebrews 10:23
23. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
4. Hope eludes the unbelievers:
Ephesians 2:12
12. remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
13. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
5. Hope directs us to Jesus, the embodiment of our hope:
1 Timothy 1:1
1. ... Christ Jesus our hope
Colossians 1:27
27. ... God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
6. Hope reminds us of Christ’s second coming:
Titus 2:13
13. ... we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
7. Hope is a living - vital thing, not dead and useless:
1 Peter 1:3
3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
8. Hope upholds our faith and knowledge of God:
Titus 1:1-2
1. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--
2. a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
9. Hope stabilizes our faith and thus our lives:
Hebrews 6:18-20
18. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
19. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20. where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever
10. Hope grows through adversity:
Romans 5:3-5
3. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4. perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hope flourishes in adversity. Hope produces steadfastness. This was the hope of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego as revealed in:
Daniel 3:16-18:
16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
18. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
They did not know the details of what was going to happen, but they believe, they hoped, in Jehovah God to work out His will for their lives.
In a world void of love and hope, there is God and the Hope He sent to us in the form of His Son Jesus, who sent us the Hope that lives within us, The Holy Spirit, who fills us with supernatural hope! Love always hopes!
15. Love always perseveres.
The Greek word here is “hupomeno” which means to stay under or behind, to remain; to undergo, to bear trials, to have fortitude. This is not the spirit which passively bear things, but the spirit which, in bearing them, can conquer and change them.
In others words, “Love can bear things with triumph”!
Jesus showed us how to bear things with triumph:
I Peter 2:21-24
21. ...Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Hebrews 12:2-4
2. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
We are called to endure:
Matthew 10:18-22
18. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
19. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20. for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21. "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
22. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
We have know idea what this is like!!!!!!
Jesus calls us to endurance:
Matthew 24:9-13
9. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11. and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13. but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Besides insults and persecutions, what else are we called to endure?
1. Training:
Hebrews 12:7-11
7. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
8. If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
10. Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
11. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
2. Testing:
James 1:2-4 & 12
2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3. because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Why was Abraham tested? So, he could know how faithful he could be!
Without that testing he would have never known what he was capable of!
There are some things we are not called to endure:
1. Sufferings, as a result of our sins!
I Peter 2:20
20. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Most of us endure all kinds of things as a direct result of our own rebellion and sinfulness.
We think we are being persecuted or bearing a cross when all we are doing is suffering the consequences of our own sin.
We wonder why bad things are happening to us, when all it is, is us putting our flesh before the spirit!
Its us, placing more emphasis on what we want, rather than what God wants!
2. Guilt!
Hebrews 10:22
22. let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
We are called to confess our sins and be rid of guilt!
I John 1:9
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
These does not mean we do not at times feel guilt, but we are not called to endure guilt!!!!!!!
3. Shame!
Romans 10:11
11. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
These does not mean we do not at times feel shame, but we are not called to endure shame!!!!!!!
Barclay wrote of Christian endurance, “Jesus died to be true to the will of God; and the Christian must follow that same will, whatever light may shine or shadow fall”. Love always perseveres!
16. Love never fails.
Paul finally comes to his last description of the character of agape love.
He uses the word “ekpipto” which means that which does not drop away, or is driven off course, or loses, or falls, or becomes useless, or incompetent.
There are so many people and things that fail us.
So many people and things that we can not depend on.
We can not even depend on ourselves to do and act right all the time.
Romans 7:18-19
18. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.
We are weak and frail creatures
Psalm 6:6-7
6. I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
Matthew 26:41
41. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
However, God is faithful and His Love is strong, unyielding, mighty and unquenchable! Solomon wrote of this unfailing love:
Song Of Solomon 8:6-7
6. ...love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
7. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.
God’s love never fails! (32 time in the Bible)
Psalms 6:4
4. Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Psalms 13:5
5. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalms 33:22
22. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
We are reminded of this in:
Lamentations 3:17-23
17. I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.
18. So I say, "My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD."
19. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
20. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
21. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The love of God is ever present and working in us to disciplines us.
But we are not consumed. We may suffer, but we will never be destroyed!
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
8. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9. persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
What does it mean to have His love indwell us?
Paul outlines at least 3 benefits to having God’s love indwell us!
Romans 8:35-39
35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36. As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39. neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. We are connected. (35-36) No hardship will separated us from God!
John 14:18-20
18. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
2. We are conquerors. (37) We can overcome any obstacle the world tries to throw at us through with the power of Christ!
John 16:33
33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
3. We are confident. (38-39)
God’s love produces great assurance in us that He is in total control of all aspects of the universe; that nothing gets past Him and nothing will ever get in between Himself and that which He loves.....NAMELY YOU AND ME!!!!! We of all people should be overflowing with confidence!!
Hebrews 13:6
6. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
1 John 4:17
17. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
So, how do we sum all this up? God is Love! All the qualities we have discussed are the qualities of God! What have we learned about God; about real agape love?
1. Agape love is service and sacrifice.
2. Agape love is given away without merit.
3. Agape love is offered to everyone regardless if they accept it or not.
4. Agape love does not think of its own rights or demands.
5. Agape love considers the needs of others first.
6. Agape love is not concerned about receiving credit or praise.
7. Agape love is seen in the example of Jesus and His character, His love,
is to be demonstrated in our lives before all men for all time!
John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love and sacrifice is our greatest witness for Jesus. It speaks to the heart of what all men seek in this life, that someone cares enough to give up themselves for the sake of others.
The world is selfish and hateful enough without us joining in on the chaos!
Let us take up the challenge, to make a difference, displaying God’s love for all to see and experience! Why? Because, Love never fails!!!!!!!