Love, God's Commandments, and Adoption

Introduction

Introduction I’m so honored to standing up here.

Since this is Valentine’s weekend, I will be basing everything I share on one word – LOVE - Love is a word we constantly use.

Prayer

Before we begin lets Pray ….. Blessings, Wisdom, and guidance, touch the hearts that need healing, cleans us, we love you.

**story? Did you fall down? Did you get back up?**

Love Defined

Sometimes a filler … but rarely defined carefully. —need a Bible, raise your hand, and we will get one to you.

When I share with you today, we will be using our Bibles

I’m going to go fast, so follow along as I read them –

Bookmark 2 passages Matthew 22: 36-40 and Matthew 19:13-15

—- It’s easy to use the Bible, because the Bible is God’s Love Letter to us!

Love - Action

Love.  What a great word.

versatile.

‘We may say, I love lumpia or I love pancit. We say we love our spouse. We say we love God.’ —- The Bible uses the word Love a LOT, but it’s deeper meaning can be found in the actual transcript written in Greek, Latin, Aramaic and Hebrew

9 Points

What does Scripture mean when it uses, Love? 9 points

Define What is Love – Verb and Noun

Define Love in Biblical context using Greek - Agape, Phileo, Storge, and Eros

Define - Jesus’ Example of Love for the Children – all of us Young and Old

Define - God’s Heart for the Fatherless

Action - Adoption - The fathers sacrifice His Son Jesus

Action - My Story – What happened after my Adoption

Action - The Philippines – No Condemnation and Opportunity

Action - Isaiah – The Response - Love in Action

Action - An Invitation to Forgiveness and Salvation  

Why?

IF we don’t understand LOVE Biblically, we will live it culturally

Culture Changes -

God Does Not

In John John 15:19, I’m going to paraphrase - Jesus says we are no longer of the world, but in the world – John 15:19

It takes hard work to do what God wants us to do.

We are adopted into the Kingdom- Joint Heirs, Covered, Supported, Protected - LOVED

I will be saying ‘let’s dive in,’ multiple times today – this is an homage to my daughter - she was the first to hear the rough draft.

Let’s Dive In - means let’s look at what the Bible says. God’s Love Letter to Us.

I. What Is Love?

Love is our Foundation Let’s dive in

Matthew 22:36–40 (NKJV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him,“ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:36–40 (NKJV)

Jesus Challenged in court - no hesitation

That means this:

Love is not a side theme in Christianity.

Love is Foundational – THE deep unshakable principle that all else relies.

Love God fully.

Love your neighbor sacrificially.

Everything relies on these 2 commandments - guiding principles

Not some things. Everything.

II. Defining Love

Love used in Biblical Context

The Bible gives us depth to the word Love - critically, we can see the difference between Greek and English

Love is translated from 4 Greek words:

2 Greek words explicitly used for Love - Agape and Phileo

2 Greek words are implicitly used - Storge and Eros

Explicit Love - specifically called out

A. Agape — sacrificial love, deep, unending, How God Loves Us

Let’s dive in

Romans 5:8-11 (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 5:8-11 (NKJV)

That is not emotional love. That is covenant love. Infinite love.

B. Phileo — Brotherly love

Let’s dive in

John 11:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

John 11:1-3 (NKJV)

Community love

Brotherly love

Revelation 3:19-20 (NKJV) - Jesus Said 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19-20 (NKJV)

As the derived word in English

Fellowship love.

Small groups and community groups

Implicit Love - Implied but not specifically used

C. Storge — family affection

Let’s Dive In –   Romans 12:10 – 13 (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Romans 12:10 – 13 (NKJV)

There is warmth in the Christian life.

Maybe how we

individually love God?

put a pin in this - what love do you use when you cry out ABBA Father

True fact - Scripture does not ignore romantic love.

D. Eros — covenant intimacy

Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Instructions

The Song of Solomon is a whole book, celebrating marital affection.  I will NOT be reciting scripture from here. 

BUT I encourage you, read this book with your spouse this weekend.

Let’s Dive In –  

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (NKJV)

3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (NKJV)

God is never wrong

The Church should not embarrassed by love inside covenant

But here is the key:

Biblical love is action and responsibility.

Love is not license.

Love is covenant.

And when covenant love creates life…

That life bears the image of God.

Is God’s Love to be restrained? Limited to those only born in Covenant Love?

Genesis 1:27 NKJV

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

According to the Bible, God’s love isn’t restrained by situation.

Especially, concerning children.

God created us all

III. Jesus and the Children

Jesus Said Bring Them to Me

Let’s Dive In –   

Matthew 19: 13-14 (NKJV)

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Matthew 19: 13-14 (NKJV)

This is Why I’m Here

The Children are brought to Jesus

can you see them?

This mass of children to be blessed by God

Parents

Adult Family

Maybe other teachers and caretakers

The Disciples rebuke them

Shooing them away - the teacher is too busy

Jesus in a box

in this they have disobeyed God’s Commandment we just went over in Matthew 22

Jesus – doesn’t get mad – though He had just taught them all

Matthew -18 - You have to be like little Children

Lost Sheep

Forgiveness!!

Matthew 19 - Divorce

What an amazing moment, can you picture it? - no cracking whip and turning over of tables - no what have you done to my Father’s house - no rebuke for rebuke - ‘get away from me Satan.’ We can miss what matters, when we get too tied up in religion, too tied up in custom

‘Let the Children come to me, and do not forbid them…’

Jesus does not treat any child as interruptions, a disgrace, or accident

– God loving cares for us all.

Jesus sees each one of us as a priority.

Biblical Love isn’t earned Agape - Phileo - Storge - even Eros

God’s love isn’t currency to be exchanged.

It is Free

IV. God’s Heart for the Fatherless

This is a Commandment

SO - the Fatherless

Who are they, and who are they not. - It’s in the BibleA

We know from the Old Testament, God repeatedly commands His people to care for the vulnerable, the children, the fatherless. The Hebrew word for fatherless is yA-tom — a child without covering, without protection, alone.  Hebrew does not distinguish and speaks broadly of children without protection or covering.

Socially, the yA-tom were so important – God called them out 42 times.

Pride is called out 60 times.

The fatherless are to be protected, defended, and placed with a family.

How do we know that??

Well - Let’s Dive In –   

Exodus 22:22–24 (NKJV)

22 “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Exodus 22:22–24 (NKJV)

This is a commandment with consequence

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (NKJV) 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 (NKJV)

This is a commandment from an administrator

We all need God’s protection

Psalm 68:5–6 (NKJV)

5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,

Is God in His holy habitation.

6 God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Psalm 68:5–6 (NKJV)

God’s love is action

The command to protect children is not optional.

Our free will allows us all, freedom to choose - What should we choose. God does not want them to be alone.

V. Adoption into God’s Kingdom

Through Christ - Who are we to God?

The Fatherless - All of Us!

Because Scripture says we – as Christians - are adopted.  We all need our Heavenly Father to Protect Us, and through His Infinite Mercy He gave His Son for our Sins.

Let’s Dive In –   WE all knew this one was coming - The Big Two!

John 3: 16-17(NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3: 16-17(NKJV)

His Son was sent to protect All of Us

– the fatherless the yA-tom

Ephesians 1:3-6(NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6(NKJV)

We are redeemed, because God finds value in us, each of us.  We are Saved!

Romans 8:15–17(NKJV)

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:15–17(NKJV)

Salvation is not probation.

Salvation is not God settling for you.

It is adoption, as it should be!

You are not brought in as

‘less than,’

‘unholy,’ or

‘unwanted’

You are brought into God’s Kingdom, because He wants you!

Redeemed - clean

Co-heirs with Christ.

Heirs

Jesus calls out how children – all children should be treated.

Matthew 19:13-14 - do NOT deny them Love

Matthew 22:36–40 – Love them As unto the Lord

VI. My Story — What Happened Next

…… And that brings us to my story.

I am so Blessed!

May 1975 - I was born in Lingayen, Philippines – Noel Rosario

Mother Eugenia Rosario knew she could not raise me

I cannot imagine the heartache, the humility, and her Love for Me.

1975 - Through the Regular Baptist Child Placement Agency - USA based group

A family in the US, was found immediately, they wanted me.

Time moved a little slower then. 

And as my family – the Mel and Lorraine Oliver waited. COVERED

1975-76 the Quiratman family cared for me in my earliest months of life. PROTECTED

1976. Finally, one year later.

I was given permission to go to my family in the United States.

Mel and Lorraine Oliver finally got to hold their baby boy. SUPPORTED

I began my life in Washington State –

Wanted

Covered

Protected

Supported

Encouraged

…….. Loved

1979 I became a U.S. citizen

Through it all, I grew up in the church, the ecclesia, and gave my life to Christ at a young age through the encouragement and support of my family.

My childhood wasn’t glamorous.  I was, and am deeply loved!

1982 We moved from Seattle to rural Colorado.

I grew up a farm kid. 1981 Small town Colorado. Hard work, fence posts, tractors, cows and horses.

1987 We moved to Rangely Colorado - the farthest away possible from our family farm, and still be in Colorado

Another small town oil rigs, trucks, hunting, fishing and God!

1993 I moved away from small town America to small city America

Fort Collins Colorado home of Colorado State University.

Mechanical engineering at first

I followed in my families’ footsteps and joined Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity – I was adopted into a Brotherhood.  Though I have a little sitter, who I love dearly, there is something different about having brothers.

For me - College was hard! I had to be humble, failure, so life reset.

1997 I moved closer to home – still small city America, Grand Junction Colorado

Mesa State College - studying to study

I worked for my grandfather who had served in both Philippines Campaignes in World War 2.  And in doing so was honored with a Filipino War Bride – Rosalina Mamucod Ocampo – now Sally ‘Saling’ Ocampo Gaurmer. 

I spent a lot of time with my Grandparents in the late 1990s.

Soon, my family encouraged me to go back to CSU

1998 I earned my way back in - bouncing back and forth from Fort Collins to Grand Junction

My grandfather passed away that year

1999 I Graduated CSU with a degree in Economics.

Early 2000s Real world.

Real trials. 

Love and being Loved.

Divorce. – that was tough …

Failures.

That fraternity brotherhood, adopted - played a major role

Rebuilding.

2008, I started Or Live Productions - hopes and dreams and the Ethos - life challenges you, get up, keep living - God NEVER tells us to quit, to rest on our laurels, the stop Loving!

2010, I married my wife Emily, an incredible woman

2012, our son Matthew Jr - was born.

2014, our daughter Elaina was born.

————— during this time in 2013, I reconnected with Pastor Quiratman through Facebook — the same family that cared for me as an infant.  It had only been 37 years!

2024, I became a dual citizen.

I’m once again Noel Rosario

2025, I returned to the Philippines with my family, the first time back since 1976

We ventured from Manila to Lingayen, Lingayen to Manila, Manila to Cebu, Cebu to Boracay, and back to Manila. 

While in Lingayen, we were able to spend an afternoon with Beth, Ferdinand’s sister.  And with Carol, one of the young women who took care of me!

What an amazing family!

Go to the First Church I ever attended - Grace Baptist Church

In Lingayen we met many of the city and local Officials, and were honored as guest at the annual Bagong Festival. 

I felt and feel welcome. 

If you’ve never been to the Lingayen Bagong Festival

it should be a bucket list item.

When standing there surrounded by Filipinos, and here with you now I feel two things:

Intense Gratitude.

… and Blessed Responsibility

Blessed to live the American Dream

I AM one of the children who IS covered.

VII. The Philippines —

…. What are we all called to do …..

Not Condemnation, But Opportunity

When we were in the Philippines, I saw so much

beauty.

Joy.

Resilience.

But I also saw vulnerability

Children without consistent covering.

Children who need advocacy

Let me say this clearly

This is not about condemning a nation, my nations.

Every culture has blind spots.

United States has its own history

including millions of abortions since my birth in 1975.

Philippines faces the reality of vulnerable and abandoned children.

Millions of children - according to recent studies 5-7Mil

This is not about comparing which is worse.

It is about recognizing:

This world is broken.

Church, the ecclesia, is called – commanded - to love.

Agape

Phileo

and Storge

Psalm 68:6 says God sets the solitary in families - we have the opportunity to show God’s love too children

I am proof of that.

And when you’ve been given that kind of grace, you don’t hoard it.

You reflect it.

I am not here with a political solution. - see my economics papers for that!

I am not here pretending one sermon fixes systemic realities.

I am here to say:

More stories like mine CAN exist.

And The Church, this church, the ecclesia, we - we have a role. 

Love

VIII. Isaiah — The Response

Excessive love

Here I am - Send Me

Let’s Dive In – (if you’re keeping count, or your fingers are impossible bookmarking all the passages - the final)

Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV)

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV)

Isaiah said that after being touched by grace, cleansed.

Love, deep love, real love produces willingness.

Not guilt.

You realize what God has done for you…

You may ask

Lord, how do You want to use my life?

The answer is, ‘Here I Am!’

The Quiratman family said, “Here I am.”

My parents said, “Here I am.” 

My family cried, ‘Here we are!’

Christ said, ‘Here I am.’ when He came for us.

And now we must echo it!

IX. Final Invitation

Romans 3:23(NKJV)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

All.

Not some.

—- Are you ready to give it all to God, every Earthly thing?

Through Christ’s Death and resurrection, we have the answer to why we are here?

We are safe, we are saved!

Why?

We are adopted through Christ (Ephesians 1:5).

We are co-heirs (Romans 8:17).

If you have experienced abandonment — there is Hope and Love.

If you have experienced abortion — there is Grace and Love.

If you have spoken judgment without compassion — there is Mercy and Love

God’s Love is bigger than our worst moments.

The same God who places the lonely in families…

God, is still adopting sons and daughters today.

His family welcomes you with open arms!

God is Love!

The question is NOT, is He willing.

The question IS, are YOU ready to accept God’s plan for your life.