#1 Understanding Love

#1 UNDERSTANDING LOVE...

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

WHAT IS LOVE?

TEXT:

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love;

and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN LOVE?

Webster defines love: a feeling of strong or constant affection.

attraction, admire, unselfish loyal concern.

LOVE IS A DOORWAY THAT OPENS FROM THE ROOM OF SELFISHNESS

THAT TAKES US INTO THE NEWNESS OF ACTION AND SERVICE THAT CAN

NOT BE LEGISLATED, COMMAND, --- THAT WHICH MONEY CAN NEVER BUY.

Love knows no boundaries or limits. Love purifies and will always find a

good outlet.

Love can rule with no force.

Love needs no ropes or no cords to bind.

WE ARE ALL ALIKE, AND WHAT WE EXPERIENCE IS COMMON.

I NEED YOU AND YOU NEED ME.

Can we see LOVE AS THE UNIVERSAL KEY...

LOVE IS NOT OPTIONAL IF YOU PLAN ON GOING TO HEAVEN...

John 15:17 (KJV) These things I command you, that ye love one another.

THERE IS A REAL LESSON AFTER THE RESURRECTION...

THE LORD HAS A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH LOUD MOUTH, QUICK

TEMPERED SIMON PETER SON OF JONAS...

LOVE MUST BE AN ACTION WORD --- MORE THAN WORDS...

LOVE IN ENGLISH MEANS MANY THINGS...

I love chocolate?

I love the dog? LOVE MEANS MANY DIFFERENT THINGS?

I love you?

I love my mom and dad?

I love my sons?

I love my wife Linda?

WHAT IS JESUS SAYING TO SIMON PETER?

John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that

he was risen from the dead. 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,

son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest

that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love

thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of

Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest

thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

JESUS QUESTIONS PETER? IN ENGLISH...

DO YOU LOVE ME?

DO YOU LOVE ME?

DO YOU LOVE ME?

IN JESUS TERMS:

DO YOU LOVE ME? EROS--- judgmental and deliberate choice, cold, keep at a distance,

not inviting one to come close.

DO YOU LOVE ME? PHILO, --- personal affection, close as in the same room,

DO YOU LOVE ME? AGAPEO--- satisfying, personal attachment, great affection,

THE HEART IS FULL

ADOPTION: THE GIVING OF ONE'S NAME AND PLACE AND PRIVILEGES

ADOPTION CAN TAKE 3 FORMS:

1. Natural: Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter.

Esther was adopted by Mordecai (her uncle)

2. NATIONAL: God adopted Israel.

3. SPIRITUAL: grace, blessings, redeemed.

LOVE IS THE TEST!

GOD TEACHES US LOVE IS THE SPIRITUAL LAW:

1. LOVE GOD ---

2. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF...

There is a triangle of love:

Love God --- Love others --- Love self...

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all

thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the

brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother

is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Galatians 5:14 (NLT) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

JESUS WARNS US OF A GREAT DANGER...

I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST YOU?

LOVE IS A LIVING THING and must be maintained to thrive.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee,

because thou hast left thy first love.

Ever consider what was YOUR BEST and BRIGHTEST HOURS?

Recall the time at the altar when the burden of sin was rolled away?

Remember when you LOVED EVERYONE?

Think when PEACE was ours?

IS THE FLAME STILL BURNING BRIGHT?

LOVE REACHES FAR BEYOND DUTY

HIS BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE!