Addison Place - 2.13.23

Sermon:

Hey friends,

Thanks for having Jon and I. It’s always a pleasure to spend a few minutes with you, share the God’s word with you, and spend time in His presence together.

Today, in honor of Valentines Day tomorrow, I’d like to talk a little bit about love. Btw - What do you guys do here in this community? Anything fun?

You know, love is an interesting subject. It can be a very subjective idea.

Some think love is all about our emotions - and there’s some truth to that! There are many times when love impacts how we feel.

Some think love means accepting everything and anything. Maybe you believe that? Maybe you think that because you value the idea of “unconditional love.”

Others believe love is something we personally define. Like love for me, might look different than love for you.

Before I share what I believe about love, let’s start by thinking about this:

I believe God created everything, including love.

I believe that the Creator defines what He creates.

Therefore, I believe God’s definition of love is the correct one.

And did you know God defines love in the Bible? I’m sure you do. Many people use God’s definition in wedding ceremonies or have decorative pictures on the wall of God’s definition, even if they don’t know it’s something in the Bible!

Regardless, in the Bible, God defines love this way...

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I wonder if we look at love this way? This definition tells us that...

True love is patient and kind. I want to be a person known for love. That means I need to prioritize patience and kindness over my personal preferences. I literally had to practice this an hour ago as I was needing to make a major financial transaction and my bank was unhelpful. Even when they said they fixed it, they did not. But the Holy Spirit continued to remind me: Love is patient. Be patient. Love is kind - do not say any unkind words, no matter how frustrated you are… no matter how bad they are performing.

Do you want to be a person of love? Start with patience and kindness.

It also says love is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Man… love is hard!

How bout this one: Love does not demand its own way, is not irritable, or keeps a record of wrong. Oh my gosh… this hurts! Back to my banking incident an hour ago. I’m ready to pull all my money out of that bank and rant and rave about how bad my experience was! But… that’s not love. Love doesn’t care if things don’t go my way. It doesn’t get irritated, no matter how frustrating. And it forgives...

And again… I want to be a person of love. And this is God’s definition of what love looks like… so, this is what I must conform to...

This is a big one. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with truth. We live in a world that often celebrates sin - things that God says are wrong. And then we say… we’re celebrating love! It’s not love if God says it’s wrong. Love celebrates what God says is right!

Finally, love is patient, even when life gets really messy. That’s why love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

I have to believe God is doing something for my good through my banking frustrations. Teaching me how to be a more loving person. I just need to trust His definition!

I need to believe things are going to get better… even my bank!

Here’s one more thing about love… verse 8 says, “Love never ends.” While I believe this means love will continue for eternity, I also believe this teaches us that God’s definition will never change. It doesn’t need to… because God created love perfectly… and this is what it is.

So… what about you today? How you thought about love this way? Do you want to be a more loving person? Tomorrow, on Valentines Day, do want to be there one who others encounter and say, “Wow! They are full of love!”

Well, now you know how to do that! Because you know God’s definition of true love. If you want to be loving...

Be kind and patient. Even if it hurts… in fact, the word “patience” also means to suffer for a long time. And don’t let unkind word come out of your mouth. Instead… let you words make people feel loved.

Don’t be jealous or arrogant or rude. Don’t worry about getting your own way. Don’t get irritated. Instead… be humble. And love people. God will bless you if you live this way.

Now, I know this is easier said than done. I’m a pastor and I was STRUGGLING trying to live a life of LOVE today. And here’s the reason why… it’s impossible for us to live and love this way. We’re too naturally sinful.

But in the words of Jesus, “What’s impossible with man is possible with God.” If you want to be a person of love… what you first need to do is give your life to Jesus.

2000 years ago, Jesus died on a cross so you could be made a new person. A person who could live differently. A person who could love God’s way. And the Bible says that if we will repent and put our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we will be forgiven for our sins and made brand new! We’ll be spiritually born again!

And with God’s help, we can love. Because what happens is God’s Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. And the Bible says...

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

What that means is when the Holy Spirit lives inside of you… things change. He gives you the power to do the right things. And you begin to produce fruit, like a good tree. And those fruits are things like love, patience, and kindness. God will help you become a loving person, if you will surrender your life to Him.

And so, if you need to do that today, pray with me this...

God forgive me for my sins. I surrender to you Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Please change my life. Make me new so I can live like You! I want to be a person of love. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit, so Iove comes pouring out of my life! In Jesus name, amen.

As we close, for those who would like, we are going to take communion together.