Love That Never Gives Up Series

Introduction:

Dear friends and families, "Love and Family" - are two concepts that often go hand in hand. We often hear phrases like "blood is thicker than water" or "family is not defined by blood." These sayings remind us that love is at the core of any family, whether it be biological or chosen. Love has the power to bind us together, to bring us joy, and to sustain us through difficult times. Love is a force that binds us together, and it is within our families that we often experience the deepest and most enduring love. Let us reflect on some quotes and sayings that remind us of the profound connection between love and family:

• “Family is not an important thing; it's everything.” – Michael J. Fox

• “At the end of the day, a loving family should find everything forgivable.” – Mark V. Olsen

• “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” - Morrie Schwartz

• “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4

• “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:7

These words resonate with the truth that love, especially within our families, is meant to be enduring, forgiving, and unwavering. Today, we will explore the Bible's teachings on love that stands the test of time, a love that never gives up.

As a Pastor and family counselor, I often encounter couples who have fallen out of love and want to end their marriage over trivial or absurd reasons. I believe that family values are important in a country like India, especially for the Christian community. However, separation and divorce are becoming more common these days. Many young people, who live in a fantasy world, easily give up on their relationship.

Story: A month after their wedding, a couple found themselves facing a serious issue. The husband, under the influence of alcohol, had physically abused his young wife. Distressed, they sought my counsel. Upon meeting the husband, I asked him about his actions towards his newlywed wife. Overwhelmed with guilt, he broke down and begged for forgiveness. It became clear that his alcohol addiction was the root cause of his violent behavior. When intoxicated, he would lose control and become aggressive, a stark contrast to his sober self who deeply loved his wife. I advised him, ‘You cannot lead a double life. If your love for your wife is genuine, you must give up alcohol as it threatens to destroy your marital relationship. Otherwise, you must be prepared to face the consequences…”

Today, I want to talk to you about “The Love that never gives up”. The love that God has for us, and the love that we are called to have for one another. The love that can overcome any obstacle, any challenge, any hardship. The love that can heal any wound, restore any relationship, and transform any life.

1: Holding onto Hope in Difficult Times - (1 Corinthians 13:7)

In our lives, we all face difficult times and challenges. It can be tempting to lose hope and give up on love when circumstances are tough. But true love, the love that never gives up, holds onto hope even in the darkest of times. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, wrote, "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).

This verse reminds us that love is not about giving up when things get tough. It is about holding onto hope and persevering through the trials. When we face challenges in our relationships, whether it be with our family, friends, or spouse, let us turn to love as our anchor. Let us have faith that love can endure, even when everything else seems to be falling apart.

“Holding onto hope means trusting that God is with us, that He has a plan for us, and that He will work all things together for our good. It means believing that God’s love is stronger than any problem we face, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.”

A. People in the Bible who held onto hope in difficult times because of God’s love.

• Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, but later became the ruler of Egypt and saved his family from famine. (Genesis 37-50)

• David, who was persecuted by Saul, but later became the king of Israel and a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 16-31)

• Esther, who was an orphan and a captive in a foreign land, but later became the queen of Persia and saved her people from genocide. (Esther 1-10)