SundaySermon - Lawrence - Love as principle

 Love as principle

The symbol of the greatest love is the cross.... the death of Jesus Christ. The cross at the time of Jesus was a symbol of shame and punishment. 

The question was asked to Jesus, "What is the greatest commandment?" To which he answered, "Love the Lord with all your heart...."

So what is Love really like? Is it giving up all your heart? (sacrifice) Is it shame? 

What is Love? 

Verse: John 13:1

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.

Jesus loved his disciples. And here are some pointers. Love makes the way for relationship. Man was lost because of sin. But Jesus loved them and he was about to take a journey to go through the most gruesome death. This death is coupled with shame because he wanted to gain the relationship with His creation

This journey of building relationship involves commandments .... they help relationship.

Verse: John 13:34

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

When God gave the 10 commandments, the first four were in relationship to God, the latter 6 commandments were in relationship to each other. 

Loving God and loving each other go hand in hand. John also asked in his letters to the church.... "How can you love God but hate your brother?" So the evidence of loving God is loving your brother. 

The interaction with the brother you see forces you to be dependent on each other. Love makes you dependent

Verse: John 15:4

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

This dependence on God and each other is beneficial. The attitude is "I will always seek the best for you". This attitude changes you. Love makes you delightful.

This experience of joy propels to you to love more. This is endeavour of seeking to perfect love. Hence Love is learnable!!!

How does God help in this endeavour? 

Verse: John 15:11

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Loving .... it may seem sacrificial .... but the returns are more rewarding. You will be overflowing with joy!!!

Prayer

Lord help me to love like you. 


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