Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather together as one body, united in our love for Christ and for each other? We are here, not because of our own merits, but because of Christ's love for us. A love so profound, so all-encompassing, that it transformed us from sinners into saints, from strangers into sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Today, we are going to open our hearts and minds to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ about love. We will look at Him as our Standard of Love, our Source of Love, and the ultimate Sacrifice of Love.

I am reminded of the words of C.S. Lewis, who once said, "Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not." Indeed, our feelings are talked about a lot but God’s love is far more important and wonderful.

Our Scripture passage for today is from the book of Romans and the Gospel of Luke.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love that is beyond measure and understanding. As we reflect on Your word today, open our hearts to fully grasp the depth of Your love. May we not only understand it, but also live it out in our daily lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and the perfect embodiment of love. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Jesus as the Standard of Love

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a love that is unparalleled. His love was not just a feeling or an emotion, but it was action. It was sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. He loved the unlovable, the outcasts, the sinners. He loved without expecting anything in return. This is the kind of love that we are called to emulate.

Love in action: In the book of Romans, Paul gives us a picture of what this love looks like in action. He tells us to let our love be genuine, to abhor what is evil and to hold fast to what is good. This is a love that is not hypocritical, but sincere and authentic. It is a love that hates evil and clings to what is good. This is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life.

Jesus didn't just talk about love, He lived it: He showed us what it means to love one another with brotherly affection and to outdo one another in showing honor. He showed us what it means to be fervent in spirit, to serve the Lord with zeal and enthusiasm. He showed us what it means to rejoice in hope, to be patient in tribulation, and to be constant in prayer.

Love God: In the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus teaching about the greatest commandment - to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He then goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating what it means to love our neighbor. The Samaritan, despite his cultural and religious differences with the man who was beaten and left for dead, showed him compassion and took care of him. He didn't just feel pity for him, but he took action. He bound up his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. This is the kind of love that we are called to show to our neighbors, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

This love is not easy: It requires us to put aside our own desires and needs, and to put the needs of others before our own. It requires us to forgive those who have wronged us, to bless those who persecute us, and to overcome evil with good. It requires us to live in harmony with one another, to associate with the lowly, and to not be wise in our own sight. This is the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, when He gave up His life for us.

Jesus is our standard of love: His life and teachings give us a model to follow. As we strive to love like Jesus, let us remember that it is not by our own strength or effort, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

Jesus as the Source of Love

As we continue to reflect on the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ about love, we find ourselves drawn to the understanding that Jesus is not just the standard of love, but also the source of it ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO