The Way of Love

Jesus prayed for His followers not to be taken out of the world, but to be protected and sent into it. In this sermon, we will look at how Christians often struggle between the extremes of isolating from culture or conforming to it, and how the truths of Creation, the Fall, and Redemption offer a better way. God calls us to live in the world but not be of it, illuminating the culture with His grace just as the Father sent the Son. Through the sanctifying power of His Word, we are empowered to be His co-workers and presence in everyday life. John 17:18 "As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world."

Love is not just the greatest thing we can receive or give, it is also the only thing that can truly change us. You rarely see true and significant change happen in someone's life, even among Christians. But when it happens, it is through beholding God's love. 2 Corinthians 3 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

“God loves you” is one of the most repeated phrases in modern Christianity, but have we lost the true meaning? In this sermon, we try to understand God’s love by explored the unpopular love story of Hosea. God commanded the prophet to marry an unfaithful woman to serve as a living illustration: Hosea represented God, and his unfaithful bride represented God's people. The world tells us that love is based on changing emotions, feelings, and personal worth. We are taught that love must be earned. But God’s love is radically different. It is bound by a faithful covenant, shown in relentless pursuit, and given entirely by grace. To truly understand the depth of God's love, we must first recognize that we are Gomer. We have all run away from God to chase after idols. Just as Hosea bought back his unfaithful bride with silver, Jesus bought His bride back with His own blood. Hosea 3:1 "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods…'"

Love is one of the most addressed topics, in movies, songs, and stories. It is the deepest emotion we can feel. As Christians we are called not just to feel it, but to practice it. We are meant to love each other the way that Jesus loves us. 1 Corinthians 13 4–5 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

Loving God is something we often sing about and hear about. But what does it actually mean, and why is it so important? Many passages in the Bible emphasize it in their writings as more important than anything else. Revelation 2:1–5 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.