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)
B. Some practical tips on how we can hold onto hope in difficult times, such as:
• We can trust in God’s promises and power (Romans 15:13).
• We can pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
• We can seek God’s presence and peace (Psalm 46:1-3)
C. Reflection Question:
• What are some of the difficulties you are facing right now?
• How are you holding onto hope in those situations?
• How are you experiencing God’s love in those moments?
2: Overcoming Challenges with Persistent Love - (Isaiah 40:31)
Challenges are a part of life, but with love, we can overcome them. This means that when we put our hope in the Lord and rely on His love, we can find the strength to overcome any challenge. Love gives us the persistence we need to keep going, even when things get tough.
God's love is a love that never gives up. In the book of Isaiah, we read, "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). This verse reminds us that when we place our hope in God's love, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
Love, like the eagle soaring above the mountains, gives us the strength to rise above our difficulties. It gives us the endurance to keep running when we feel weary, and it gives us the faith to keep walking forward even when we feel faint. When we face challenges in our relationships, let us remember that true love persists, it does not give up. Let us tap into the strength of God's love and find the courage to overcome.
“Overcoming challenges with persistent love means not giving up on ourselves or others when things get tough. It means being faithful, loyal, committed, and steadfast in our love. It means being willing to sacrifice, serve, forgive, and endure for the sake of love.”
A. People in the Bible who overcame challenges with persistent love.
• Ruth, left her homeland and followed her mother-in-law Naomi to a foreign land, where she worked hard and eventually married Boaz. (Ruth 1-4)
• Daniel, refused to compromise his faith and worship idols, even when he faced the threat of being thrown into a lion’s den. (Daniel 6)
• Paul, endured many hardships and persecutions for the sake of spreading the gospel of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
B. Practical tips on how we can overcome challenges with persistent love, such as:
• We can rely on God’s word and spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
• We can seek God’s will and direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• We can serve God’s purpose and glory (Colossians 3:17).
C. Reflection Question:
• Who are some of the people you love in your life?
• How are you showing them your persistent love?
• How are you overcoming the challenges that come with loving them?
3: Love’s Power to Break Through Barriers - (1 Corinthians 13:8a)
"Love never fails..."
Love has the power to break through any barrier. It can overcome cultural differences, religious differences, and even political differences. When we love someone, we see them for who they are, not for their differences.
One example of this is the story of Ruth and Naomi in the Bible. Ruth was a Moabite, and Naomi was an Israelite. Moabites were considered to be enemies of the Israelites. But Ruth loved Naomi, and she was willing to leave her home and her family to follow her. Ruth and Naomi became very close, and Ruth eventually married Naomi's son.
In the same way, love can break through any barrier. When we love someone, we see them for who they are, not for their differences.
Love has the power to break through barriers that separate us. In the same letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, "Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8a). This verse reminds us that love is relentless in its pursuit. It does not give up when faced with obstacles. Love has the ability to bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring reconciliation.
When we encounter barriers in our relationships, whether they are caused by miscommunication, hurt feelings, or differences in opinion, let us remember the power of love. Let us choose to love unconditionally, to forgive, and to seek understanding. When we do so, we open the door to healing, restoration, and stronger connections.
“Love’s power can break through barriers means that love can overcome any obstacle that separates us from God or from one another. It means that love can bridge any gap that divides us by race, culture, language, or background. It means that love can heal any wound that hurts us by sin, guilt, shame, or fear.”
A. Jesus demonstrated His love’s power to break through barriers.
• He touched and healed the lepers, who were considered unclean and outcasts. (Matthew 8:1-4)
• He ate and conversed with the tax collectors and sinners, who were despised and rejected by the religious leaders. (Luke 15:1-2)
• He forgave and restored the woman caught in adultery, who was condemned and exposed by the crowd. (John 8:1-11)
B. How we can break through barriers with love’s power, such as:
• We can forgive others as God forgave us (Colossians 3:13).
• We can accept others as God accepted us (Romans 15:7).
• We can love others as God loved us (John 13:34).
C. Reflection Question:
• What are some of the barriers that separate you from God or from others?
• How can you let God’s love break through those barriers?
• How can you show God’s love to those who are different from you or distant from you?
4: Never Giving Up on Restoration and Healing - (1 Peter 5:10)
No matter how broken our relationships may seem, no matter how far apart we may have drifted, love never gives up on restoration and healing. In his first letter, Peter writes, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10).
This verse reminds us that God's love is a love that never gives up on us. It offers us hope for the future and the promise of restoration and healing. When we encounter brokenness, let us turn to God's love and trust in His power to redeem, renew, and strengthen our relationships. Let us remember that love is patient, love is kind, and love is relentless in its pursuit of wholeness.
God's love has the power to restore and heal our broken relationships. When we turn to God, he can help us to forgive each other and to start fresh.
One example of this is the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. The prodigal son ran away from his home and squandered his inheritance. But when he realized his mistake, he returned home. His father welcomed him back with open arms and forgave him.
In the same way, God's love can restore and heal our broken relationships. When we turn to God, he can help us to forgive each other and to start fresh. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
God's love has the power to restore and heal our broken relationships. When we turn to God, he can help us to forgive each other and to start fresh.
One example of this is the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. The prodigal son ran away from his home and squandered his inheritance. But when he realized his mistake, he returned home. His father welcomed him back with open arms and forgave him.
In the same way, God's love can restore and heal our broken relationships. When we turn to God, he can help us to forgive each other and to start fresh.
“Never giving up on restoration and healing means believing that God can restore what is broken, heal what is wounded, and make what is old new again. It means trusting that God can redeem what is lost, renew what is faded, and revive what is dead. It means hoping that God can do more than we can ask or imagine.”
A. God promised and fulfilled His restoration and healing for His people.
• He brought His people out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land of Canaan. (Exodus 12-15)
• He restored His people from exile in Babylon and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1-6)
• He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins and rise from the dead, giving us eternal life. (John 3:16)
B. How we can never give up on restoration and healing, such as:
• We can confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
• We can cast our cares and worries on God (1 Peter 5:7).
• We can seek God’s healing and wholeness (Jeremiah 30:17).
C. Reflection Question:
• What are some of the areas in your life that need God’s restoration and healing?
• How are you seeking God’s help and guidance in those areas?
• How are you expecting God to work in those areas?
Conclusion
God’s love for us never gives up, and He wants us to reflect His love in our relationships with others, especially our family members.
We can persevere in love, hope, and faith, even in the face of difficulties, obstacles, and disappointments, by relying on God’s promises, power, and presence.
We can experience God’s love breaking through barriers and bringing restoration and healing to our lives, by receiving His grace, mercy, and peace.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
In a world filled with brokenness, pain, and division, the idea of "Love That Never Gives Up" is a powerful and transformative message. It reminds us that love has the power to overcome any challenge or obstacle. When we hold onto hope in difficult times, persist with love, break through barriers, and never give up on restoration and healing, we allow love to work miracles in our relationships and in our lives. May we be vessels of this unyielding love, extending it to our families, friends, and neighbors, and trusting in its power to bring joy, peace, and reconciliation. We have seen that this love can hold onto hope in difficult times, overcome challenges with persistent love, break through barriers with love’s power, and never give up on restoration and healing.
As we go from here, let us remember to:
• Hold onto hope in difficult times by trusting in God’s love and promises.
• Overcome challenges with persistent love by being faithful and loyal to God and others.
• Break through barriers with love’s power by showing grace and mercy to those who are different or distant.
• Never give up on restoration and healing by seeking God’s help and expecting His work.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that never gives up on us. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for us and rise again. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives in us and guides us. Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to hold onto hope, overcome challenges, break through barriers, and never give up on restoration and healing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
