Love and Truth – The Dynamic Duo!
Scriptures Texts:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.”
Loving someone God’s way always requires an Action!
1 John 3:16: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
How do we know love – real love – We look at the sacrifice of Jesus – then we should do the same with our lives for others – love see’s and responds with action – it’s truth in action!
1 John 2:15: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”
Two kinds of love one loves God the other loves like the selfish world!
1 John 3:1 - See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
The Father’s kind of love is giving even when we don’t deserve the gift.
1 John 5:3 “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…”
Loving God and Others means I keep the commandments of God – Love God – Love Others – which reflect on the Big 10!
Illustration: LOVED, TO BE LOVE from sermoncentral.com Jason Bonnickson shared this story:
One of the neatest gifts he ever received was this little, hand towel. It was given to him during his seminary commencement, and he cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: "Blessed to be a blessing" Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn."
Days after he arrived at his first church, he unpacked his boxes and placed that towel on his bookshelf. He said he kept it there to serve as a reminder of God's calling on his life. And, as he gazed upon that towel he said, “I've thought, Yes, I am blessed, and for that I need to be a blessing to others. But more than this, I am also so loved by God, and because I am loved by him, I need to love because of him. For, without the love of Christ, what does it mean to be a blessing anyway?”
You know, in some ways, I think it would be equally fitting if the towel read, "Loved, to be love" (John 13:34).
Thesis: Today we are going to focus – maybe refocus on Love – John was called the apostle of Love and He knew love and truth had to be linked together to be able to live in a world which distorted both love and truth! The two are a dynamic duo!
T.S. – Let’s take a moment and review truth for a moment from John’s writings. – we must have the balance of Truth (thunder) and Love (God’s Love)!
Introduction and Summary of last few sermons:
The Bible – God’s Word reveals Truth – It is the bestselling book every single year in the world – it’s sold more copies than any other book in history – The Bible reveals God’s truth – reveals God’s mission – for the salvation of mankind – This revelation from the Word of God brings freedom from sin – it breaks the chains of sin off us and gives us the grace and mercy of Jesus.
John’s writings in the New Testament were dominated by speaking absolutely about Truth! Jesus is the way the Truth and the life.
He speaks frequently about truth and emphasizes how black and white it is in knowing truth. He uses the word Truth 25x in the Gospel of John and in his three Epistles it is used 20x.
John is second only to Jesus in speaking so much about truth. But truth must be spoke in connection with love – the two go together like:
• James and John
• Batman and Robin
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Adam and Eve
• Eggs and Bacon
• Green Lantern and Kato
• Jospeh and Mary
• Bread and butter
• Tom and Jerry
• Abbott and Costello
Truth – What is the opposite of truth? A common antonym for 'truth' is 'falsehood. ‘While 'truth' refers to the quality or state of being true, 'falsehood' denotes a false statement or a lie, representing the opposite of truth.
The world – the flesh and the devil seek to distort truth to deceive people and rob them of their joy, their destiny and their position in the Kingdom of God. But just as the world, the flesh and the devil seek to distort truth so has the same forces sought to distort what love is. The world in which we live defines love totally different than what God tells us love is.
Let’s explore the truth of God’s love and see how the enemies of the truth have sought to also pervert and distort love today.
T.S -We need the actions of Truth (Thunder) and Love (God’s Love) to sound – to echo – to roar over our society again. Would you agree? God wants to use us to beat the drum of thunder and love for all to hear and see so people will see and want to connect with God -thru Jesus.
I. The Apostle of Love! Yes, the Son of Thunder also becomes The Apostle of Love! But - So can you!
a. John wrote the most about Love giving him the name “Apostle of Love”
i. John mentions love 80x in his Gospel and Epistles. John wrote more than any other New Testament author about the importance of love — laying stress on these subjects:
1. Christian's love for Christ!
2. Christ's love for His church!
3. The love for one another that is supposed to be the hallmark of true believers.
a. John listened to the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 13: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
i. Paul even said God’s real love - does not rejoice in iniquity (sin) but rejoices in the truth.”
ii. We need to remember that Paul wrote this chapter to a divided and fighting church – not to two people who have fallen in love!
iii. We all need to hear the warning! Did you know every church, ministry is always one firestorm away from blowing up and wiping away that organization?
b. The theme of love flows through Johns writings. But love was a quality he learned from Christ, not something that came naturally to him. In his younger years, he was as much a Son of Thunder as James but age and the Spirit helped to balance him out.
i. The above from MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 96). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition
ii. John changed over the years from being The Son of Thunder (very aggressive for guarding the name of Jesus and the mission) to the Apostle of Love.
1. In his own Gospel – He calls himself “The One Jesus Loved!” How do I know this was John read John 21:20-25:
a. 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
i. The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Jn 21:20–25.
ii. Is it not an amazing thing to know that you loved by Jesus! John knew that and it changed his life and it balanced his live out!
iii. We all need to learn this lesson of the balance of Truth and Love. It’s the equilibrium we need to become mature Christians!
1. I have met too many unbalanced professing, Christians.
a. They are the TRUTH Hammers: They speak truth with a hammer - harsh, judgmental attitudes and demeanors. They beat people up with the Bible and feel God is with them. I see in these individuals a lack of love and empathy for others and usually a self-righteous spirit with them. The Pharisees were like this!
i. Tell the story of the Redneck Christian!
b. Then there are the LOVE cupids: They speak about love all the time and flutter around shooting their arrows of love into others. But their concept of love is not a biblical love. It’s a demeanor where God is love and he does not care about truth - no one will be judged or go to Hell. This out of balance and distorted love makes excuses for people who willingly choose to sin against God’s Word. These love deceived cupids will even rewrite the Word of God to justify people’s sins and therefore in the process they reject God’s truth. We see today these out of balance individuals telling you they are good just the way you are – living in sin or not.
iv. John learned from Jesus – that you must declare equally Truth and Love – and maintain the balance Jesus did in confronting evil in this world.
1. Evil always distorts truth and it always distorts love.
T.S. – John was a man of thunder-truth and love – we need to be too! We need the dynamic duo!
II. The Love of God and our role in loving others.
a. God’s Love and Ours: 1 John 4: 7-21
i. Yes, John preached the most in the New Testament about love – Yes at the same time of being aggressive with the Gospel speaking about truth he spoke on love too. This is how John becomes known as the “Apostle of love.” And “The Son of Thunder!”
1. In his own Gospel, he refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20, 21:21-25). He also at the end of the book identifies himself as this disciple see 21:20-25.
a. He is depicted as the one leaning against Jesus’ chest at the last supper.
b. His brief second epistle is filled with expressions of his deep love for those in his care. His close relationship with Jesus taught John the importance of truth and love!
c. If you have a close relationship with Jesus He will teach you too!
ii. John addresses his first epistle to a group of believers “Whom I love in the truth” and exhorts them to “love one another” by walking in obedience to Jesus’ commands (1 John 1:1, 5-6).
1. This is the balance of Truth and Love!
a. Quote by MacArthur “Truth without love has no decency; it's just brutality. On the other hand, love without truth has no character; it's just hypocrisy.”
i. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 106). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
b. Love is the most excellent way! Paul said it and so did John agree with this thought!
i. To be able to love well means I must embrace the 4-letter word, “Love” in its original definition and its created application – Because that word “Love” has been twisted and distorted by this world – But the true meaning of love goes back to God’s meaning of love! God is love and He defines what true love is!
1. Scripture Text: John 13:34-35: Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
a. The witness to the world that we are Christian is the action of love! God’s Love!
b. It’s love for one another! This is what will make the world look at you and say they have something I want!
i. John 13 – Read text
2. 1 John 4:7-10: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
a. LOVE’s original definition is spelled out in Scripture - “God is love” says 1 John 4:8 or to reverse this thought “Love is God” God created and defined what Love is and what it should look like and act like.
i. It’s not a feeling but an action!
ii. God put love into action in Jesus – See John 1:1 tells us Jesus and God are one which implies that Jesus is God’s love manifested in the flesh – in other words a recognizable expression of love in the flesh that all can see, touch and model (See 1 John 1:1-4).
ii. As we continue to explore the definition of “Real Love” all for the purpose to breathe life into that which is dead” We discovered the word love being used in all kinds of contexts and in connection with all kinds of things or objects today:
1. For example:
a. I say, “I love snow!” and many would disagree with this statement.
b. I say, “I love Dunkin Donuts Coffee” which I do! Some may disagree and say, “I love Starbucks Coffee!” I am not a big fan (Sorry).
c. I say, “I love Giordano’s Pizza” another person would say, “I love Luminate’s Pizza.” Vernon and Ashley.
d. I say, “I love donuts” another would say like Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Never eat a donut – they are bad for you!” I disagree 😊
i. They make me happy!
ii. My daughter Tiffany would say the same, “they are bad for you” but my grandsons Ayden and Keagan would say “Grandpa let’s go get donuts at Dunkin!”
e. I say, “I love White Castle cheeseburgers!” my wife says, “I hate White Castle cheeseburgers!” “She also says “How can you like those things!” They are disgusting!
i. But I love them – what can I say!
f. I say, “I love oatmeal!” my wife says, “Gag me!”
i. I think that reaction comes from having Oatmeal for breakfast so much growing up on her parent’s farm in MN.
g. I say, “I love wilderness survival shows” my wife says “Why?”
h. I say, “I love going out to eat alone” my wife says, “No way I will never go out to a place to eat alone!”
2. In a given day we may say, “I Love you” to our kids, spouses or even a friend! We may even tell our pets “I love you!” We may or may not get a response from them though. But saying “I love you” must be backed up with actions of love according to Scripture! This is real love!
iii. WHAT'S Real love got to do WITH using the word love in these many different contexts, statements or applications?
1. The Word love has taken on meanings that it was not designed for by God – who is Love:
a. In Greek there are multiple words for Love:
i. Eros: Sexual passion.
ii. Philia: Deep friendship.
iii. Ludus: Playful love.
iv. Agape: Love for everyone – unconditional love – God’s type of love!
v. Pragma: Long-standing love.
vi. Philautia: Love of self.
vii. Storge: Familial love.
viii. Mania: Obsessive love.
c. “Illustration of misunderstanding Love – The life of Ike and Tina Turner
i. The song: “What’s Love Got to Do With it” reflects the wrong definition of love in this world! It was Tina Turner’s biggest hit solo!
1. This Top hit for Tina Turner came after their divorce in 1984 – Here are the Lyrics:
a. You must understand though the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react
That it's only the thrill of boy meeting girl
Opposites attract
It's physical
Only logical
You must try to ignore that it means more than that
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second-hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
It may seem to you that I'm acting confused
When you're close to me
If I tend to look dazed I've read it someplace
I've got cause to be
There's a name for it
There's a phrase that fits
But whatever the reason you do it for me
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second-hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
I've been taking on a new direction
But I have to say
I've been thinking about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second-hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a sweet old-fashioned notion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
What's love but a second-hand emotion?
What's love got to do, got to do with it?
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?
What's love?
Got to do it
Got to do it
What's love?
i. They had a movie made about their violent marriage – song became an anthem for abused women.
ii. Their perception of love is all wrong. Love is not an emotion – it’s an action – Love see’s and does!
ii. Love has taken on several different meanings – you can see this by “Googling” the word love, and you must be very careful doing this, you will find all sorts of websites focused on love: I discovered 11,150,000.
1. Here are some examples that you will find:
a. I love Dogs.com
b. I love Cats.com (Although this one is a plea to spay or neuter them – I ask the question do you really love them if you do this too them?)
c. I love Cheese.com
d. I love Lucy.com
e. Betterlove.com
f. True Romance Dating Service.com
g. Love Test.com
h. Matchmaker.com
i. The Love Calculator.com
i. On this site you type in your name and your mates name and it gives you the odds of your relationship lasting. John Harvey the person I pulled this statistic from said “Alana and I got 41%.” I was scared to do this with Kathy and my name!
j. The interesting observation from all these sites is love is seen as almost an entirely human endeavor – it’s really portrayed as an emotion – but it’s designed and created by God to be a action!
d. The truth about love is you cannot love White Castle Cheeseburgers like you do your kids or even your spouse – well at least this not a good idea right? I suppose you could, but I don’t think that would go over very well with your spouse or your kids! They are two different views or objects of love.
i. If you look up the word love on dictionary.com this is what it says: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. sexual passion or desire.
1. As you read the three definitions listed in dicitionary.com most people would agree with them and not think twice about it. But it portrays love as an emotion.
a. Love is a person God and Jesus is the personification of Love and He was all about action – putting faith in action – doing the miracles – loving the unlovable in tangible ways!
2. If you keep searching the word love you will discover around 28 different definitions of this word love.
ii. But these definitions of love don’t align with the real biblical meaning of love spoken about by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 and by the Apostle John in I John and the Gospel of John.
1. In the Bible, "love" (agape) is defined as a selfless, active commitment to the well-being of others, regardless of their response or if it's reciprocated. It's not just a feeling but a choice to serve and prioritize others' needs over one's own. Biblical love is also sacrificial, showing itself in action, and ultimately demands obedience to God's commands.
a. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the biblical understanding of love:
i. Agape Love: This term, often translated as "love" in the New Testament, is a selfless, sacrificial love, prioritizing the well-being of others.
1. It’s not a feeling – it’s an action!
ii. God's Love: God is love, and His love for humanity is the central theme in the Bible, demonstrating itself through His creation, the law, the prophets, and ultimately, in Jesus Christ.
1. Jesus Christ is the personification of God’s love – Jesus was a doer of the Word of God!
a. See James 1:22!
iii. Love is a Choice: Biblical love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in a way that benefits others, even when it's difficult or requires sacrifice.
1. Are you better understanding what love really is!
iv. Love is Action: Love is shown through actions, not just words. It involves actively seeking the good of others, whether through acts of service, forgiveness, or compassion.
1. You can Say “I love you” but if your action never happens so as to prove it – it means nothing!
v. Love and Obedience: Loving God also means obeying his commands, which are not burdensome but reflect the path to true well-being.
vi. Sacrificial Love: Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of biblical love, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to saving humanity.
1. He wants us to love others like He did!
vii. Love as a Virtue: Love is the greatest virtue in the Bible, exceeding other virtues like faith and hope.
viii. Love Fulfills the Law: Love is the fulfillment of the law, as it encompasses all of its commandments.
1. To love God means we listen and obey God’s Words of truth! We actually do it!
T.S. – We live in a world today that likes to redefine God’s Truth and God’s meaning of Love – I have discovered three forces which seek to redefine truth and love.
III. The three forces John and the Bible highlight us to be aware of – these three will seek to deceive you and rob you of truth and love.
a. The three enemies you will face in your Christian Life according to the Bible and John:
i. In Christian theology, the three enemies of God’s truth and love, and of the Christian life, are traditionally identified as the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are seen as forces that actively oppose God's will and the spiritual well-being of believers.
1. These forces seek to distort Truth and Love – and even redefine these two core principles in the Bible!
ii. Here's a more detailed look at each of the 3 forces:
1. The World: This refers to the worldly system, values, and culture that often clash with God's principles. It encompasses things like the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, which are not of God.
a. The Moral Order Opposed to God: In addition to the physical and social dimensions, the word "world" also signifies the moral order that stands in opposition to God. In 1 John 2:15-17, we find a warning: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This use of "world" points to a system characterized by sin and rebellion against God, urging believers to remain separate from worldly temptations.
i. It’s called a world view mindset.
2. The Flesh: This represents human nature's inherent tendency towards sin and self-centeredness, rather than seeking God's will. It is the "old sinful nature" that believers inherit at birth.
a. In the New Testament, "flesh" is used to describe the sinful element of human nature, opposed to the "Spirit".
i. The flesh cannot give spiritual blessings! Flesh gives birth to flesh the spirit gives birth to the spirit.
b. Being "in the flesh" means being unrenewed and living "according to the flesh” means to live and act sinfully.
i. The Bible often highlights the conflict between living "according to the flesh" (following selfish desires) and living "according to the Spirit" (obeying God's will).
3. The Devil: Is the personification of evil (He is real and at work in this world). He is often depicted as a fallen angel, who actively seeks to deceive and lead people away from God.
a. In the Bible, the devil, also known as Satan, is portrayed as a powerful, spiritual being who is God's chief enemy and the leader of fallen angels. He is seen as the originator of evil, who tempts humans and opposes God's will.
b. He is a real entity at work in this world!
c. In the Bible, the devil is referred to by many names and titles, including Satan, the Devil, Beelzebub, the Accuser, the Tempter, the Evil One, and the Father of Lies. The name "Satan" itself means "adversary" in Hebrew. Other names like Lucifer (sometimes used to refer to him) are not a direct biblical name but are associated with his rebellion and fallen state.
b. The Reality Check: These three enemies are seen as constantly working together to hinder believers' spiritual growth and relationship with God.
i. Overcoming them requires Thunder (God’s Word and Truth), It requires love (acting and living like Jesus did and having a love so strong for God you obey His word and truth), it also requires faith, prayer, hope and obedience!
ii. Ephesians 3:15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
1. When we speak truth and love like God says to, we will spiritually grow!
a. Choosing not to do these two things will cause you to drift and fall away from the Lord!
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
John wants us to know how to live and abide in Truth – how to live in the World with Love – We do this by resisting and fighting against the three enemies of God and us?
It is a battle we must fight! We cannot ignore these three forces.
Why do we need to know this truth?
We need to know Truth = God’s Word = Jesus’ Christ’s teachings = this is His Thunder – this is the power of God to transform people and communities. The power is unleashed through the Word, and we model it with love. We speak the truth in love – it’s the dynamic duo!
We must have this dynamic duo in operation in our lives daily!
What do we need to do?
We need to speak the truth in love – and love must go into action – so we grow in our relationship with Jesus and become mature Christians!
For Christians, both truth and love are paramount because they are intertwined aspects of God's character and are central to the Christian life. Truth is essential because God is truth, and Jesus is the embodiment of truth. Love is essential because God is love, and love reflects God's character. When Christians speak the truth in love, they are mirroring God's own character and demonstrating the gospel's message of reconciliation and redemption.
So we need to choose the dynamic duo of Truth (Thunder) and Love (God’s Love ) so as to see the Kingdom grow and expand in this fallen world!
