Love Does Not Rejoice In Wrongdoing
Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult
Love Better
INTRODUCTION
SLIDE 1—MAIN TITLE SLIDE
- Love better.
- Loving better is a work in progress.
- Remember, we are seeking to learn how to love our church family and those in the community better.
- Things happen in life that sometimes make it more difficult to love better— to love others as Jesus wants us to love them.
- The discussion we had last week about love not being resentful really resonated with me.
- This week, we move to another one of those “love does not” statements.
SLIDE 2- MAIN SLIDE
- Love Does Not Rejoice In Wrongdoing.
- Allow me to share a story about human nature.
- Have you ever noticed how people sometimes get satisfaction from others’ failures?
- It’s a curious tendency that starkly contrasts with the essence of true love.
- True love, as defined by the teachings of Jesus, doesn’t delight in such moments.
- Instead, it rejoices in truth and righteousness.
- Today, we delve into Jesus' mission, which exemplifies a love that lifts others up and does not revel in their downfalls.
VERSE SLIDE-1 SLIDE
1 Corinthians 13:6 NET 2nd ed.
6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.
SERMON
SLIDE 3—MAIN POINT 1
I. Love Does Not …
- Love is not glad about injustices but rejoices in the truth.
- Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 points out that a person motivated by love does not rejoice or gloat when they see unrighteousness, whether it is wrongdoing committed by others or disasters they experience.
- The Corinthians, however, were noted to have been boasting even when sin was present in their congregation.
SLIDE 4-—LOVE IS NOT GLAD ABOUT INJUSTICES
- The word translated injustice refers to anything that is wrong in God's sight, causing grief to a heart full of love.
- Not only does it cause harm to the wronged person, but it also displeases God and will result in punishment for the wrongdoer.
- Therefore, love feels grief when another person, especially a fellow believer, commits a wrong act.
- Love grieves instead of rejoicing when unrighteousness or injustices happen.
- Genuine love does not take pleasure in wrongdoing, unfairness, or evil.
- It does not support or celebrate harm done to others, dishonesty, or immoral actions—even if they benefit oneself or allies.
- Instead, love finds joy in what is right, fair, true, and good.
- True love aligns with integrity and virtue.
- So, if a person acts in a way that harms others or benefits from corrupt practices, a loving heart would not be glad about that.
- Love seeks justice and truth for all people, even when it is costly or inconvenient.
- The word translated “rejoices” often conveys a joy that is deeply rooted in faith and reflects the believer's relationship with God.
- This joy is considered a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a response to God's goodness and grace.
- Rejoicing in the New Testament can signify the believer's rejoicing in salvation, God's promises, and advancing the Gospel.
- The word rejoice and its usage in scripture encourage Christians to maintain an attitude of joy that is not dependent on situational happiness but is rooted in the eternal truths and hope found in Jesus Christ.
- For a Christian to rejoice, celebrate, or be happy when injustice happens is an abuse of rejoicing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:6 teaches that love does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth.
- This principle helps us understand the more profound message in Luke 4:18–30, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue.
- Jesus declares that He has been sent to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed.
- At first, people were impressed by His words.
- But when Jesus confronts them with truth, they respond with anger and rejection.
- They were willing to receive comforting words for themselves, but not challenging truths about God's justice and mercy toward outsiders.
- Their love was conditional and ultimately self-serving. They were unwilling to rejoice in the truth when it did not align with their expectations or prejudices.
- This situation reflects the heart of 1 Corinthians 13:6.
- True love does not just rejoice when things feel good or serve our interests.
- It celebrates truth and righteousness, even when it challenges us.
- In contrast, the people in the synagogue did not embody love at that moment—they rejected the truth and were angered by God’s justice being extended beyond their limits.
- Thus, as Paul described, love is anchored not in favoritism or emotion, but in alignment with God’s holy and just character.
- Let’s move to Luke 4:18-30, beginning with verses 18-19.
VERSE SLIDE - 1 SLIDE
Luke 4:18–19 NET 2nd ed.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
SLIDE #5—MAIN POINT 2
II. Love Has A Mission.
- Our passage presents the occasion when Jesus returns to Nazareth, His hometown, and reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue.
- Jesus' visit to Nazareth marks an early stage in His public ministry.
- After being baptized by John the Baptist and overcoming temptation in the wilderness, Jesus begins to teach and perform miracles.
- His reputation is spreading throughout the region.
- The setting is a synagogue in Nazareth.
- Synagogues functioned as places of worship and instruction for Jews during the Second Temple period.
- The practice of reading from the Torah and the Prophets was central to their gatherings.
- To read aloud, Jesus chooses a passage from Isaiah (specifically Isaiah 61:1-2), which emphasizes themes of liberation and divine favor.
- This passage resonated with Jewish hopes for a messianic figure who would bring about deliverance.
SLIDE 6-—THE MISSION OF JESUS
- Jesus came to proclaim the Good News, which would bring hope to everyone and be a blessing to the poor.
- The poor spoken of here were both the materially poor and those in spiritual poverty.
- Those who are “poor in spirit" (as stated in the Beatitudes) refer to those who realize their spiritual destitution and comprehend their nothingness before God.
- It is an attitude opposite to self-righteousness, recognizing that one is a beggar before Christ.
- This spiritual poverty is presented as a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of God.
- Those "poor in spirit" understand that they desperately need God.
- He came to release the captives.
- He was speaking of those who were captives of sin!
- Jesus said His mission was also to restore sight to the spiritually blind.
- He also restored physical sight to some blind people.
- Jesus said His mission was to free the oppressed.
- Political Oppression.
- The concept of religious oppression suggests that some people felt burdened and oppressed by the prevailing religious rules and regulations.
- Social Oppression.
- Spiritual Oppression.
- Jesus was the fulfillment of the Isaiah passage He read from on that day.
- Let’s move to verses 20-27.
VERSE SLIDES - 4 SLIDES
Luke 4:20–27 NET 2nd ed.
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.”
22 All were speaking well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. They said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
23 Jesus said to them, “No doubt you will quote to me the proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ and say, ‘What we have heard that you did in Capernaum, do here in your hometown too.’ ”
24 And he added, “I tell you the truth, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.
25 But in truth I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up three and a half years, and there was a great famine over all the land.
26 Yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to a woman who was a widow at Zarephath (ZAR A FATH) in Sidon.
27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, yet none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
SLIDE 7—MAIN POINT 3
III. Love Is Uncontainable
- The reaction of the people in the synagogue is significant.
- Initially, the people are amazed at Jesus' words, but their astonishment quickly turns to skepticism and anger.
- They question how the son of Joseph, whom they know, could speak with such authority.
- Jesus' subsequent remarks, referencing the acceptance of prophets outside Israel, further incite indignation, as He implies that God's favor extends beyond their expectations.
- This moment underscores the theme of a prophet not being accepted in his hometown, highlighting the broader narrative of Jesus' ministry encountering both acceptance and rejection.
- This passage reflects the tension between traditional Jewish expectations of the Messiah and Jesus' broader, more inclusive vision of God's kingdom.
- The episode sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of Jesus' ministry, marked by both miraculous acts and confrontations with prevailing social and religious norms.
SLIDE 8-—LOVE IS UNCONTAINABLE
- Love is not contained by boundaries.
- The “hometown” for the Jews was Israel.
- Jesus shows the audience that the Messiah is for all people; salvation is open to all who want it!
- Jesus gave the historical examples of the Widow of ZAR A FATH and Naaman of Syria as examples.
- These people were gentiles that God healed.
- Love cannot be contained!
- Let’s finish with verses 28-30.
VERSE SLIDE 1 SLIDE
Luke 4:28–30 NET 2nd ed.
28 When they heard this, all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage.
29 They got up, forced him out of the town, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.
30 But he passed through the crowd and went on his way.
SLIDE 9—MAIN POINT 4
IV. Love Is Unstoppable.
- The people were going to try to end the mission of Jesus right then and there!
SLIDE 10—HOW LOVE WAS UNSTOPPABLE
- When Jesus concluded his speech, the people were furiously angry.
- The people were astonished by Jesus UNTIL He burst their bubble of expectations.
- Despite the hopeful beginning, Jesus anticipated the skepticism and rejection.
- By referencing prophets like Elijah and Elisha, He highlighted the human tendency to turn away when expectations aren't met.
- This rejection and anger arose from biases and unfulfilled hopes, showcasing a lack of true love—a love that does not delight in wrongdoing but embraces healing and truth.
- The people were angry they were going to throw Jesus off the cliff!
- But the mission of love triumphs as Jesus passed through the crowd untouched!
- In the end, love cannot be stopped.
- Love will win no matter what the odds are against it.
- Jesus and His mission were divinely protected!
CONCLUSION
- Understanding Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:6 helps us to see that love finds joy in what is true and right, not in wrongdoing.
- How can I get there?
SLIDE 11—SELF-REFLECTION
- Practical Steps for Application:
a. Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your own thoughts and actions to ensure they are aligned with truth and integrity.
- This involves being honest with yourself and acknowledging both strengths and areas for improvement.
- Make sure your thought align with the truth of the Word!
- Evaluate your actions to ensure you are a person of integrity.
- Do an honest assessment of yourself that acknowledges your strengths and weaknesses.
SLIDE 12- LIVE OUT LOVE IN COMMUNITY
a. Choose Truth in Interactions: In your relationships, strive to be truthful and transparent. Avoid deceit, even in small matters, as this builds trust and strengthens bonds.
b. Celebrate Honesty: Encourage and recognize truthfulness in others.
- When someone is honest or acts with integrity, offer praise or appreciation to reinforce positive behavior.
c. Reject Harmful Behavior: Avoid finding satisfaction or entertainment in gossip, lies, or hurtful actions.
- Instead, focus on uplifting and positive interactions that promote truth and kindness.
d. Advocate for Justice: Stand up for what is right in your community and circles.
- This might involve defending someone being treated unfairly or speaking out against dishonesty or injustice when you encounter it.
SLIDE 13 PATH TO FORGIVENESS
- Offer Forgiveness: When you encounter dishonesty or wrongdoing, instead of holding grudges, extend forgiveness.
- This allows for healing and demonstrates a commitment to love rooted in truth.
a. Practice Empathy: Strive to understand and validate others' perspectives, even when you disagree.
- This creates a foundation for honest and meaningful dialogue centered on mutual respect and truth.
b. SEEK HEALING- Choose forgiveness over grudges
c. Restore relationships
- Demonstrate love rooted in truth.
- Bonus.
- Seek Media That Reflects Truth: Be mindful of the media you consume, prioritizing content that upholds truth and promotes values you believe in, rather than engaging with damaging or misleading information.
- DON’T rejoice when bad things happen to others; love does not do that.
