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These Three Remain: Love
Pastor Rollan Fisher
We all want to build a better world right now - but how?
Focus: We will walk in the redemption of God as Jesus remains the standard of our love.
The Look of Love
The Labor of Love
Redeeming Love
The Look of Love
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
God is all powerful “El Shaddai” - “Almighty” (Genesis 35:1-15)
Luke 9:51-56
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.
Because God is Almighty, he transforms our struggle into purpose.
The God we serve is Yeshua (Luke 1:26-35)
In His name He reveals His salvation.
God’s salvation is given to us through his favor (grace), and he enables us to be part of the grand narrative of the redemptive story.
As opposed to English, there were at least four distinct words for love in the Greek language.
Storge - represented familial fondness; liking someone through familiarity, as they find themselves bonded by chance.
Philia - represented deep friendship, as in the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests or activities.
Eros - represented the idea of sexual passion and desire.
Agape - represented selfless charity; the kind that exists regardless of changing circumstances.
“When we avoid difficult conversations, we trade short term discomfort for long term dysfunction.”
-Peter Bromberg
The real test of our modern Christian worship (who or what are we actually worshiping)
Is God worthy of my love (devotion and obedience) when I don’t get what I want?
Are others to expect my love (commitment and care) when they disappoint or offend me?
The Labor of Love
Love must be sincere.
"Anything worth doing is worth doing badly."
— G. K. Chesterton
Now I’m a Marvel fan, so you know I enjoy a sci-if world.
However, the problem with our generation’s overconsumption of media is we live in a world of fantasy fear over practical, real-time faith, hope and love.
Choose love over fear:
Demonic fear has to do with what could happen and imagined scenarios of harm.
Love has to do with the people you actually know, the days that you actually live and the opportunities to do good that you actually have.
THIS is the only life for which God will hold you responsible - obeying his commands in real time.
Not the fantasy worlds or dangers we looked to avoid.
Proverbs 12:11
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
Proverbs 26:13-16
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
In Christ, we get to transition from would could be, might be and is coming for me to what I am destined to see as I choose Him.
Stop living in the unknowns.
Proverbs 11:25
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
We will reap what we sow.
Redeeming Love
Galatians 6:7-10
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
“Jesus didn't wait until we got better to die for us. He died when we were in our most unlovely state. The person who doesn't deserve love actually needs love more, not less. If you know someone unworthy of love, that's great! You now have a chance to emulate Christ, because the essence of His love is unconditional.”
-Tony Evans, Our God is Awesome: Encountering the Greatness of Our God
Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2021