Love Without Compromise: Like Jesus Commanded

Recap last week! Transition to Love!

Three Types of Love

All three come from God God is Love - 1 John 4:8

1 John 4:8 ESV

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Eros - refers to physical or sexual love. 1 Cor. 7:5; Heb. 13:4

Bible shows there is a physical component of marriage (only marriage). This is equally as important as all the other stuff.

Philos - means warm affection or friendship. Matt 10:37; John 11:3,36; John 20:2

The love you have for family and friends. Jesus = Lazarus and disciples Father = Children

Agapē - is the sacrificial, unconditional love of God. John 3:16; Matt. 22:37; John 13:34; 1 Cor. 13

Highest form of love. Takes sacrifice, deep commitment

Jesus Christ Preaches Love

Love your enemies

Matthew 5:43–44 ESV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Example

Matthew 5:41 ESV

41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

it was common practice for a Roman soldier to demand a citizen carry his load for up to a Roman mile, a distance of 1,000 paces. (1 pace = ~5ft)

This form of "impressment," was not easy!

A Roman soldier's backpack usually weighed ~100 pounds.

What is Love?

1 Corinthians 13:1–7 ESV

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love Misconceptions

The world has a perverted view of love. *Humor* Love is blind; love knows no boundaries; love hurts; love is a two way street

Love is subjective to the one who gives it = LIE!

Love ≠ Affirmation

Jesus did not affirm sinful lifestyles

Love ≠ Happiness

“I’m happy so I must be in love.”

Love sustains while happiness fades

Love all men, even your enemies, not because they are your brothers, but that they may become your brothers;

Augustine of Hippo