Love Like That: Overview

We just finished a series on many of the “one another” passages in Scripture, finishing up with the idea of loving one another. Today we are going to start a new series which is going to help us learn some relationship ideas and practical ways to love others from none other than Jesus himself. To help us along, Dr. Les Parrott has written a book and a series of sermon outlines on this very topic, Love Like That: 5 Relationship Secrets from Jesus. Over the next six weeks, I hope that we will see that loving like Jesus is not only possible, but it is something that all of us are capable of doing. We’ll talk about some practical ideas that will give us some real-life applications for us to try in our interactions with people around us.

We’ve talked quite a bit this summer about the fact that we are all a work in progress. God continues to transform us through His Spirit as long as we allow Him to to. No one, no matter how long you have been a believer or how old you might be has arrived. We are all still a work in progress and God wants to do more in and through us.

Yesterday, we said goodbye to my grandfather after a rich and long 90-year life. During the message, I spoke about the legacy he left us. He was a godly man that loved his family fiercely, but he also love people. He loved people like Jesus. He would do just about anything for anyone while also being concerned that people knew about Jesus and what he did for them. His famous phrase was “be ye ready.” Even in his dementia in his last days on this earth, he was talking about Jesus and telling his caretakers that they need to be ready. But all of that was possible, because two men who I have known my entire life, one of whom was my other grandmother’s brother, invited my grandparents and their kids to church. Just a few months later, they gave their lives to Christ. If it wasn’t for those two men loving my grandparents and family like Jesus, the legacy my grandfather left might have been entirely different.

I have a question for you this morning. What do you want to be known for in your life?

The answer to that question probably changes as your life changes - when you’re younger - maybe sports - or school - or social circle - As you get older you want to be recognized for your job - maybe later it’s how much money and stuff you have.

Maybe you want to be known for being a good person - a family person - or somebody who helps out in their community.

These examples may be what you want to be known as but what are you actually known to be like? If your friends and family could define you with one word what would that word be?

Would they use words like determined, hardworking, kind, generous, patient

Or maybe it would be selfish, stubborn, arrogant, greedy or angry

Or maybe they would talk about you the way I was privileged to talk about my Grandfather yesterday.

Whatever you want to be known as or are known as, as Christians, there is a certain way we are to be known. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world see the Church and Christians in not a great way. They think we are hypocritical, judgmental, mean, and angry. Many people outside the church have similar views as Gandhi when he said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Do you like coffee? If you know me at all, you know I love coffee, especially cold brew. I just love the way it tastes. However, have you ever noticed what happens around coffee, whether a coffee pot or in a coffee store? Conversation. Conversation that eventually helps to build relationships. I’ve had many a conversation over the years over a cup of coffee and learned so much about people during those conversations.

We all want to be better lovers of people, family, and others on some level, but it is hard stuff, isn’t it? People can be difficult to love - even close friends and family, let alone people we don’t know. We all know someone like this who is difficult to love. In fact, you are probably thinking about someone right now.

Who wouldn’t want to have improved friendships, courtships, partnerships, and relationships? As we begin this six-week series, we all need to understand, as we talked about the last couple weeks, that none of us have arrived. We are all trying to figure it out, trying to get it right, largely because we know the stakes are so high. God is still at work transforming us to be more Christlike each day. We all intuitively know that our actions, even our intentions, can and do have long-lasting impact.

Love is the overarching theme of the entire Bible and particularly the New Testament. Every New Testament writer doesn't just touch on the subject, they lean upon the topic of love. It’s also the theme of most major motion pictures and best sellers. It’s the theme of every wedding ceremony. It’s talked about at every funeral in the context of remembering a life this side of heaven. Hanging out on Pinterest will show you a ton of verses on love that can adorn the walls of homes and coffee shops around the world. However, as we start this series I want us to understand that we are going to focus on how Jesus love people and learn from his example. In fact, there is much we can learn from Jesus, and I want us all to realize this morning that loving like Jesus is possible and is the best way to live.

BACKGROUND OF THE EPHESIANS

This morning we are going to be in Ephesians 5. The Book of Ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the Church and the spiritual blessings we have in Jesus. What was prophecied throughout the ages was revealed to us in the person of Christ, the Messiah. Paul helps us to understand the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers.

It is a reminder of God’s great love for us, that even when we were dead, Christ made us alive in Him. Paul talked about the mystery of Christ made known through revelation by the Spirit of God. That through the gospel, Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body and partakers in the promise of Christ Jesus. We’re reminded to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus.

We are reminded in Ephesians to be imitators of God and live a life of love because Christ gave Himself up for us. Paul reminds us to give thanks for God in all things and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. There are instructions to children, parents, slaves, and masters. Paul gives practical instructions on how to relate well with others in whatever position you are in life.

Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus begins with some of the greatest foundational principles of Christianity. Principles of adoption, of the blessings of God, God’s selection process, the nature of His glorious grace, the depth of salvation and redemption and the ultimate purposes of God. Pretty heavy stuff. The theme for this series is found in Ephesians 5:1-2.

Ephesians 5:1–2 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Now to help us understand maybe a little better, I want to read the same passage from The Message paraphrase:

Ephesians 5:1–2 The Message

1 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. 2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

There is much written about love and we all know that we are to love God and love others. However, it is often the how that trips us up. These first two verses in Ephesians 5 will help us with the how.

There are two questions for us to ask ourselves this morning out of these verses. The first is:

1. HOW DO I BEGIN?

We see the answer to this question is verse 1. Don’t you love how Paul broaches the subject of “how” by saying, “follow God’s example” or “watch what God does, and then you do it.” The simplicity of his opening statement is profound. The “how” is connected to watching, observing, looking intently into the life of Jesus Christ.

We aren’t the best of observers. In fact, our culture frowns on watching others too closely. There’s a word for that: “creepy.” I have heard from time to time of friends and family who love to people watch. For years, my family would go shopping and out to lunch on Christmas Eve. My Dad and I could sit in the mall and watch people for hours. It is amazing how much you can learn when you stop and spend time just looking at how people relate at places such as airports, amusement parks, and malls. Too much of that however, and you’re not just creepy, you’re considered a “stalker.”

The culture in other countries… not so much. In India, it is not considered rude or a violation of personal space to stare at another person. Ask any world traveler what their experience has been, and often they feel their personal space has been violated by constant, prying eyes. I can attest this to be true in many of my international travels.

Moving beyond culture and back to the scriptures, have you ever noticed the number of times the New Testament records Jesus staring intently into a person just before He does something remarkable. John 1:42 says Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John--but you will be called Cephas" (which means “Peter").

To look at something “intently” means to look beyond the surface, to look beyond the present, to look into the future possibilities. Jesus looked at Peter, not just for who he was in the present, but what his life could be. Jesus never judged a book by its cover.

How many times did Jesus remind people that they had eyes but could not see. Mark 8:18 says Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Or how many times did Peter fix his eyes on a situation before God did a miracle? Remember Peter and John walking into the temple after the resurrection of Jesus? They find a man begging for alms. This is what Acts 3:4 says, But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!” Then Peter says, Gold and silver I don't have, but what I give you I give you in the name of Jesus Christ. Take up your mat and walk.

For us to get a handle on how to love like Jesus, we need to be students of looking intently at the life of Jesus Christ and then, most importantly, imitating it. The word for imitators is the Greek word that means “to mimic.” That word is found in the first part of Ephesians 5:1. It can be translated “follow,” like the NIV says, or “watch and then do,” like The Message says. The goal of Christianity should be to follow the pattern and example of Jesus!

Then Paul gives an illustration: parenthood and obedient kids. One of the goals of parenthood is having your children behave in the same way you behave. Scary, right? If you’re not behaving right…well, you know where I’m going with this. So, the example Paul uses for HOW to follow Jesus’ example is a successful parenting model… “like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.”

Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, reminds us to “observe God at work.” When is the last time you took time to pause and look for how God is working in your life and in the lives of those around you? We need to take time and look at life around us and see what God is doing…in your job, your family, your community, your school, your very life. In fact, the art of observing God and following His example may be the very thing that will not only further the kingdom of God corporately but bring adventure to your life. I can tell you that there are some adventures that I would never have taken in my life if it hand’t been for God’s leading. Ask me sometime about my children’s ministry days and I can give you a personal example!

Do you know that God is at work in your family? Whether you realize it or not? Part of the adventure is looking for Him working. You may change all through your life, but God is working in ALL of your life. The great task is to be observant to see where He’s working and how He’s working and mimic it. Remember: the way He works in your family, is going to be different than how He works in my family. You cannot compare how He’s working in your life and your family with others.

John records the powerful post-resurrection story of Peter and Jesus in John 21. He has just reinstated Peter and his leadership. John 21:19-22 says, Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 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?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

In other words, the way I work in one person, may be different than how I work in you. But don’t let that throw you, and don’t start comparing your life to someone else’s. Simply – “You follow me!” Your job doesn’t change. Follow, observe, and do the life of Jesus. It is the only way to LOVE LIKE THAT, to LOVE LIKE JESUS.

John records the Father is working, and I am working. When you observe God at work, it changes your behavior — Peter went walking on water! Observe how He’s working in your family’s and neighbors’ lives and adjust your plans to His. Begin to do what He did.

The second question this morning is:

2. HOW DO YOU WISELY OBSERVE JESUS’ LIFE?

Relationship is the key. A personal relationship with Christ is the starting point. All that Jesus did was about establishing a relationship with us. So, wherever you are on your journey… trying to figure it out… new to church… new to a relationship with God… or a seasoned follower of Jesus, you’ll find God’s desire for you is written across the pages of Scripture.

Here’s a thought… Is it as simple as reading the Bible? What parts of the Bible? I’ve read the stories of Jesus before and so have many of you. Jesus’ life is part of our society and history, so many of us know at least some stories of Jesus. So, what’s different about looking intently at what Jesus did?

Use your mind to observe Jesus.

Luke 10:27 says this: And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

God has blessed us with an amazing combination of physical abilities and a brain to help us think, plan, work, and enjoy life. So, God wants to bless, strengthen, renew, guard and bless our minds, as we focus our thoughts and actions on Him.

Did you know there is a difference between your brain and your mind? The brain can be weighed, measured, and x-rayed, but you can’t measure, locate, and understand the mind. To put it simply, your mind is the same as your thoughts. No one can know your thoughts or find them or scan them without you sharing them.

Among other things, we are to love God with all our MIND, or with all of our thoughts. As human beings, we are blessed to have great minds given to us by God. And He wants to bless and enable us to use them for our greatest potential. This can be achieved as we keep our focus on Him. As it says in Proverbs 19:21, Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

So, as we align our minds with the Lord, then His purpose will become clearer to us.

So, don’t put your mind in neutral. We must use our minds to love like Jesus. Be honest, be discerning, be analytical, be reasoned.

But you can’t just use your mind, it is not enough. You see, we cannot love others with just our minds, we also use our emotions. We use our heart. You’ve used the phrases “My heart aches” or “Open your heart.” The heart and emotions have a deeper connection than just your thoughts. In fact, if we only use our minds, high level love becomes an obligation. Intelligence alone, without involvement of the heart, can be dangerous. We run the risk of becoming “heartless.” Without the heart, we lack true understanding. Without the heart, we lack the capacity to love like Jesus.

As we launch into this series, we will discover that Jesus is more than a model or an example to follow. JESUS IS THE POWER TO EMBRACE. THE POWER TO DO. THE POWER TO BE.

To love like Jesus, we need to think and feel. We need reason and emotion. We need both our head and heart, working together. It’s the only way to bring perfect love into our imperfect life.

Love changes our minds. It changes us from the inside out. If you’re looking for reasonable love, you’ll miss it. Like I said, you want to love like Jesus, and if we look at the examples we see of Jesus loving others in Scripture, few of us would likely classify them as “reasonable” by today’s standards. This kind of love isn’t illusive, it’s closer than you think.

SO WHAT? (CONCLUSION/APPLICATION)

As we close today, we need to think about what we do with this. How do we apply this? What do we take home with us today? Here are four things for us to consider this week:

1. We are taking a journey together to make some observations about loving like Jesus. We will make some here on the weekend, some in small group on Saturdays, and some on our own. Commit with me that you will take this journey together and we actively participate in learning to love like Jesus.

2. We need to recognize and admit that we haven’t arrived yet, but it is ALL of our desires to LOVE LIKE JESUS, because we all have relationships that are a challenge and we want to get them right.

3. Considering a personal relationship with Jesus is our starting point in our LOVE LIKE JESUS journey. Spend some time this week reflecting with Jesus on your relationship with Him. Then, be willing to observe the life of Jesus as revealed throughout the Bible and be willing to do something about it.

4. In this series we will be challenged to learn to engage our minds AND our hearts as we look at Jesus’ life. Be willing to be challenged and to really observe and learn how to love as we take a deeper look into the life of Jesus.

Friends, I am convinced that if we learn to love like Jesus, He can use that to further build His Kingdom here in Howard, here in Green Bay through us. I pray that we will be challenged over the remaining five weeks of this series.

BENEDICTION:

Go now, and wherever people will hear you, proclaim the life-changing love of God. Do not fear your weakness, for when you are weakest, Christ’s strength is known. Travel lightly, live simply, and honour those who welcome the gospel.

And may God be your protection and safe haven; May the power of Christ Jesus dwell in you; and may the Holy Spirit be your guide forever.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.