A Celebration of Love (A more excellent way)

1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now, I will show you the most excellent way. (12:31)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (13:13)

Firstly, a very merry Valentine's Day and happy Chinese New Year to all.
You would have heard this going all around in this period of time - love is in the air. Well, it's Valentine's Day! Of course, love is in the air. To the couples, or attached or married, this day is a day for surprises and celebrating their love for one another. A few days ago, a thought came to mind. How about those without a partner yet? This year probably would be a more fortunate year in the sense that Valentine's Day coincides with the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. (You won't have to spend this day alone.) Still, who won't think about love on this day? Indeed, on this day, most people commemorate and celebrate love. But have you ever thought about how exactly is it to love?

On Sunday, the title of this entry was what was preached at the service - A Celebration of Love (A more excellent way). Here are some points, here are some thoughts...

I) A Proclamation of Love - Message of the Gospel (John 3:16)

• A Gospel of Love
  

"Nothing can separate you from God's love."
Romans 8:35

• A God of Love
  

God is love. (1 John 4:8, 16b)
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world (as an atoning sacrifice for our sins - v.10) that we might live through Him. (v.9)
Reflect: Do you accept the love of God?

• A Command to Love

You will love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. And love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40(NLT), Luke 10:27)
1 John 4:7-21

What is an unconditional love?

It is not what the person do but how I react. No matter what you do, it changes not.

This is God's love for us, and we ought to love our neighbour (everyone) in this.
Reflect: Are you making 'love' your way of life?

• A Way of Love

Ask 1, give 2. --> not by your own strength but by relying on His.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other. (Matthew 5:39). If one example is not enough, here's another. If your shirt is taken away, give your coat too. (Matthew 5:40(NLT)). How about a third one: If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:41).

Love your neighbour as yourself.

Very often, we associate love with nice things, with sweet stuff. However, we often neglect or forgotten that there is also another form of love. - discipline
God's dealing with us are always out of love.
"slow to anger, quick to forgive"

to love a person ≠ kidnapping the person when he/she rejects/refuse

   ≠ jump down the building to make him/her feel guilty for not loving in return

Reflect: Are you being a "model of love" to the people of the world?

John 13:35
Ultimately, love always win.

God always win.

II) A Revelation of Love

moved with compassion --> Jesus loves them so much.
His motivation of healing is not to 'show-off' but all out of love.
Let it be the love of Gos in you and not an imitation of God's love.
God's love is not based on feelings but it's a character. You are impatient because it is your character, not a feeling. You are impatient, You don't feel impatient. Similarly, God is love. Not a feeling of love.

Imagine a disease suddenly infects a village. The people of the village who are healthy, fled. There is a group of unaffected missionaries who have the means to move elsewhere, stayed. When nobody wants to stay, they stayed. That's why, through this, the needs of the people in the village were met because this group of people was around to fill in the gaps. That's the love of God. By our love that people will know of His great love. Not our works.

True love of God is not out to save the world but to serve the need of the one next door, anyone in need.
It will then be, "What do you want me to do?" rather than "eee...so...eee..."

Remember the opening of the grave of Lazarus? Jesus wept. (John 11:35-36)
Because of His love, He prayed for His disciples.
Because of His love, He rebuked His disciples. - 打是疼，骂是爱。
God's love knows.
Reflect: What are you conditioned by?

He emptied Himself.
He was despised.
Yet He said, "Father, forgive them."
How could He have said this?
God's love.

There are 4 main types of love:

• eros (ἔρως) - sense of 'being in love'
  
• philia (φιλία) - strong bond existing between people who share common interest or activity (friendship)
  
• storge (στοργή) - fondness through familiarity (family affection)
  
• agape (ἀγάπη) - unconditional love (God's love)

Agape:

selfless, sacrificial, characteristics, heart, commitment, lasting, guides, builds, motivates, internal, unconditional

Feeling:

selfish, self-seeking, reaction, head, excitement, temporal, controls, destroys, drives, external, conditioning

The basis for commitment, for relationship.

Out of focus. Sometimes, you just have to play your part well.

Pray
Love
Live

in a way that they see Christ so they realise.

III) A Revolution of Love

anger --> an emotion
feeling --> an emotion out of control that it's driven you
"go by feelings and live in regret" - Ps Mike
emotions are meant to guide and steer you to help you in the right direction
Romans 8:28

He loves.
No matter what.
He loves.
Reflect: Are you acting in love?

Christian army of biblical love--> not appearance, not even the need. not by the outward. Though it works on the outwards. Simply, the love of God inside, the fruits of the Spirit of love inside.
If we reduce love to a feeling, we are corrupting love.
He loved and loved them till the end. When they didn't deserve it.

I'll end with a quote I found:

Who, being loved, is poor? ~Oscar Wilde

Prayer: God, help us not just to love, but to love the way you love - agape love. Teach us to be an army of biblical love so that this love of Yours will be shown in our living as Christians, as Christ disciples to the world who do not know of the unconditional love You have for them. May Your Spirit remind us not to corrupt love but to love all, even when we think they do not deserve it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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i love you because He first loved me. (",)

Have a wonderful time celebrating love this season of spring.  =P

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