FAITH

HOPE

LOVE

[fãth] v. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another’s ability28th July

[hōp] n. to look

forward to with

confidence or

expectation

4th August

[luhv] n. the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God11th August

John OldfieldSunday 11th August 2013

Faith, Hope and LovePart 3: Love

Two weeks ago:

Guy spoke on Faith

We are called now to live by faith

Last week:

Thomas spoke on Hope

As Christians we have a glorious hope to look forward to in the future

This week:

We are going to look at Love

How we are going to live today in the light of our Faith and Hope

There are three main words for ‘love’ used in

the Bible:

1.Eros

2.Philia/Philos

3.Agape

Examples of Agape love:

Romans 5v8 God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

1 John 4v10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

Agape love:

God’s love to us – totally undeserved

Christian love:

• Not just an emotion or a feeling

• But an action, an attitude or our behaviour – a demonstration of God’s love to us

1 Corinthians 13verses 1 to 13

1. God’s love for us1 John 4 v 10Jeremiah 31 v 3Romans 5 v 8

1. God’s love for us

2. Our love for God1 John 4 v 19

1. God’s love for us

2. Our love for God

3. Our love for one another

John 3 v 35

Three places where John calls his readers liars:

1. 1 John 2 v 4 – If you say you know God but do not do what He commands

2. 1 John 2 v 22 – If you deny that Jesus Christ is Lord

3. 1 John 4 v 20 – If anyone says he loves God – yet hates his brother

The Apostle John:

‘Little children - love one another’

‘It is the Lord’s command and if this alone be done – it is enough’

Ten negative portraits of love - 1 Corinthians 13 v 4 to 6: Love is:

• Not Impatient• Not unkind• Not envious• Not boasting• Not proud

• Not rude• Not self seeking• Not easily angered• Keeps no record of wrongs• Does not delight in evil

Five positive portraits of love – 1 Corinthians 13 v 6 to 7:Love:

• Rejoices with the truth• Protects• Trusts• Hopes• Perseveres

1 Corinthians 13 v 8:

Love never fails

Just like Jesus!

In closing:

Tertullian:

‘See – how these Christians love one another’

The future for Bognor Regis:

John 13 v 35

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another

Agape love – undeserved love

Our response - One:• How is your relationship with God

today?• Do you know Jesus as your personal

saviour?• You can know a living/loving personal

relationship with Him today.• Why delay?

Our response - Two:• Do you need the Holy Sprit to help

you today?• Have you ever been filled with the

Holy Spirit?• Do you need a heart of stone

softening?• Today could be the day for you!

Our response - Three:• Is God challenging you today to practise

putting agape love into action?• Do you need to get out of your comfort

zones - are there situations, relationships, types of people that scare you?

• Today - God can help you!

Our response:• Don’t miss an opportunity to meet with

God in a new way this morning• Don’t miss an opportunity to do business

with God over some issue that you know needs sorting out in your life

• Be blessed by God today – to help you as we face this new season of challenges together

FAITH

HOPE

LOVE

[fãth] v. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another’s ability28th July

[hōp] n. to look

forward to with

confidence or

expectation

4th August

[luhv] n. the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God11th August