ESGAL09 Fruit of the Spirit Part 3 Love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(NKJV) — 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:16–26 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Today we are moving onto the Fruit of the Spirit. The last two weeks have been about walking in because the Holy Spirit lives in us. God lives and moves and has His being in us then we are in the Spirit. We have to be led by Him but we have a choice to go with Him or refuse. This is the battle that we are in. But we have the power of God living in us to make the right choices and refuse the wrong. We have a choice about where we put our minds; upon things above or on earthly things, upon God or ourselves, upon His Word or upon our culture, upon His works or upon sensuality. We can replace bad thoughts with godly thoughts and so on.

Today I am moving onto the Fruit of the Spirit. Last week we found out that we walk in the Spirit because the Holy Spirit lives in us. And as He lives and moves and has His being in us then we are in the Spirit. We have to be led by Him but we have a choice to go with Him or refuse. This is the battle that we are in. But we have the power of God living in us to make the right choices and refuse the wrong.

So, the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are nine parts to this fruit all working together to produce in us a godly life that makes us conform more and more to the image of God’s Son. The foremost and top of the list is the crowning glory called ‘love’.

We are going to look at each part of the Fruit of the Spirit over the next few weeks unless I get side-tracked, which is possible, of course!

Bearing fruit, though, is what we are called to do. We can bear fruit to our sinful nature or according to the Spirit. And as we heard on Wednesday from John Kissick we should be fruitful for God as individuals and as a Church.

So, the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are nine parts to this fruit all working together to produce in us a godly life that makes us conform more and more to the image of God’s Son. The foremost and top of the list is the crowning glory called ‘love’.

First, it would be helpful to distinguish what this love is. English, being what it is has many things to say about love. Love today is taken by many people in our society as the ground of truth. If there’s love it’s OK. It is a regular thing to say ‘if they love each other, what’s wrong with it?’ If this is the basis of truth then there will be even more issues ahead whether it is about 3 or more in a loving relationship - and if love is the basis of what we take as being good then what happens when a 19 year old loves a 13 year old and vice versa. Why would we be upset at this if it’s love? No, love cannot be the basis for working out what is right and wrong.

There is a right kind of love between two people, a male and a female, which is properly found in an exclusive marriage. This love is a Greek word which we all know ‘Eros’. It is a romantic and sexual love. This is best found in Scripture in the Songs of Solomon.

In fact there are six Greek words for love. And shortly we will look at the one that is above all.

Then there is the love that is found between friends. Probably the best passage is found in 1 Samuel Chapters 18 to 20 with David and Jonathan. This love is known as Philia in Greek.

Then there is the love that is found between friends. Probably the best passage is found in with David and Jonathan. This love is known as Philia in Greek.

Ludus means playful love which is not found in the bible as well as pragma or longstanding love.

There is a love called Philautia which is to do with self-love. This is found in Scripture, so is biblical, but not in a positive way. it is found in

2 Timothy 3:2 NKJV

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

So. unlike the Justin Bieber song which says you should ‘go ahead and love yourself’, it is fitting for our world which this bible verse describes but it is not right.

So, finally, we come to the word that is the one we most associate with God, the word ‘Agape’.

This love is of the sacrificial kind that is unconditional. Now whilst I said that husband and wife and love between friends is another kind of love it can also include Agape.

Agape, the word used here in the Galatians as part of the fruit of the Spirit, can be both positive and negative. For we find the same word Agape in:

2 Timothy 4:10a NKJV

10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

(NKJV) — 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved (agape’d) this present world, and has departed...

So, in this case Demas has unconditional love, willing to self-sacrifice on the altar of this world. We only have to look around the City and see that this is true of many and easy to fall into. So, love is not always good – it depends on its focus. Demas’ example was one of false love; a love that had its eyes on the things of this world.

In the story about the rich young ruler he comes to Jesus in asking: "Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10:21 NKJV

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

(NKJV) — 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

It was Jesus love for this man that compelled Him to tell him that he had a stumbling block between him and eternal life and that block was that the rich young man, loved his money more than he loved God. He agape’d money instead of God. This is why we cannot serve two masters...we can only give one our allegiance...and this is very important when it comes to all our life choices. Our choices should be about where God can use us most not about how much money we can earn.

Last week we said that we have to focus on things above as found in if we are to be led by the Spirit. This means our focus has to be taken off the things of this world.

is the passage which is the crowning glory when it comes to talking about agape love.

(NKJV) — 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This passage is sandwiched between the chapters of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Whilst this passage is very often read at weddings this is about what the Church in Corinth was not doing. There were factions and arguments within this congregation – they were hardly the epitome of unity. Yet Paul had not lost hope for them and indeed thanked God for them. This Church was not an example of love yet right in the midst of this letter to them we have the most wonderful verses about love. Yes, the Church at Corinth had all the gifts though without much order. Yes, they celebrated communion but neglected their brothers and sisters when sitting down to eat. But, if here, of all places which was a Church in such a mess to whom such words were written and there was hope of better days to come, then all Churches have hope. These were still God’s people and if they got their act together on love then the world, even, could be changed as a result.

We love because God first loved us. Love really is the magic formula for reaching the people on this estate and beyond. Love for God and love for our neighbour. Here are a few more verses about love and what it does:

Romans 13:10 NKJV

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

(NKJV) — 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 3:17 NKJV

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

(NKJV) — 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

1 John 4:8 NKJV

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

(NKJV) — 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

(NKJV) — 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

We should be outdoing one another in acts of love. Love results in action; it leads to prayer; it leads to helping; it leads to practical out-workings. Churches full of love are full of consensus and unity, full of people seeking God who is the source of this wonderful love. Churches without love are full of selfish people who want their own way who are envious of others. Those are the churches that split, that cause division, derision and disunity because they are selfish and want their own way and doesn’t want good for others.

Churches full of love are full of consensus and unity, full of people seeking God who is the source of this wonderful love.

Churches without love are full of selfish people who want their own way. Those are the churches that split, that cause division, derision and disunity because they are selfish and want their own way.

Have a think about these:

One act of love you can do for your next door neighbour.

One act of love you can do for someone in this fellowship.

You see how love requires us to think about others and how to improve their lives.

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you ’love’ your neighbour, act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."

You see how love requires us to think about others and how to improve their lives.

Love requires us to think about how to share Jesus with others. Our friends, our neighbours, our family. When you get home will you remember? Get a piece of paper to ask yourself the questions about our neighbour and our brothers and sisters as well as whom we will deliberately share the gospel this week. Then, with a deliberate choice, act upon it.

Now, can I ask some to share something of what you have written so to encourage the rest of us to think.

The idea is to show love for one another but not expecting anything in return.

Agape love is about choices.

I heard a true story about a man waiting for his friend at an airport in America and this is what he said in his own words:

I noticed a man coming toward me carrying 2 bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe 6 years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!’

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe 9 or 10) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps 1 or 1½) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes of the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face and then held her close to his chest. The little girl instantly relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment, then realised how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?” “Twelve years,” he replied. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!” he replied.

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me. I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace, “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after 12 years.”

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”

Are we going to decide? What we need to glean from the scriptures is that love is action, a supernatural act that comes from the grace of God hence the exercise I want us to do at home to write down what we are going to do. Agape love is a decision not a feeling. But be warned, feelings may follow!

Is that our future? Are we going to decide? What we need to glean from the scriptures is that love is action, a supernatural act that comes from the grace of God hence the exercise earlier to write down what we are going to say and do. I hope you will act on it. Agape love is a decision not a feeling. But be warned, feelings may follow!

God so loved us that He sent His son to die. His love was a decision that led to action. Loving others is not an option we have. We must love one another, we must love God and we must love our neighbours.

Jesus often said that we were to love one another. And what is the proof of this?

Thomas a Kempis, said: "Whoever loves much, does much."

Communion

"Whoever loves much, does much."

Jesus showed His great love for us not be staying in Heaven in a safe environment but came to earth, born as a baby, reliant upon others to live, then living a life among others, touching, healing, forgiving and in His greatest show of love, gave His very life for us. This is love in action.

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Unworthy as we are Christ made the first step towards us so that we could be reconciled back to God but it came at a great cost to Himself. No wonder Scripture says we love because He first loved us.

Today we celebrate such love given freely for us. Today we remember what Jesus did. Today we ponder His body and His blood through which we have forgiveness and eternal life.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NKJV

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Benediction

Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers, feeding us with your word, and encouraging us in our meeting together. Take us and use us to love and serve you, and all people, in the power of your Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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