Learning to Love Like Jesus

We're Still Learning Pt. 4 | February 22, 2026Pastor Wes Morris Mark 3:1-6 (NLT) Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.✓ HARD HEARTS VALUE BEING RIGHT OVER BEING LOVING.I Corinthians 8:1 (TLB) Next is your question about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols. On this question everyone feels that only his answer is the right one! But although being a “know-it-all” makes us feel important, what is really needed to build the church is love.I Corinthians 13:2 (NIV) If I have all knowledge...but do not have love, I am nothing.✓ HARD HEARTS WITHHOLD COMPASSION TO STAY IN CONTROL.Mark 3:4 (NIV) 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.✓ HARD HEARTS ALLOW SILENCE TO TURN INTO SEPARATION.Mark 3:6 (NLT) At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.When compassion is withheld, resentment grows.When conversations are avoided, conclusions are assumed.What goes unspoken eventually becomes destructive.Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.LEARNING TO LOVE LIKE JESUS1. OPENNESS: GOD, I ASK YOU TO SEARCH MY HEART.Psalms 139:23–24 (NIV) Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”Q: Where do I need God to soften me - not fix someone else?2. HUMILITY: GOD, I REPENT HONESTLY AND QUICKLY.James 5:16 (NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.Q: Where has pride or defensiveness kept my heart from being open?3. LOVE: GOD, HELP ME LOVE PEOPLE THE WAY YOU LOVE THEM.John 13:34–35 (NIV) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.Q: What would loving like Jesus look like in my relationships this week?