Returning Love

Bible Introduction (2m)

Swimming Pool / School Rules

Rules important for safety, courtesy, etc.

God’s rules = commandments

Matthew 22:34-40 (Brenda K) - the most important ones: Love God, love others.

If we love God with all our hearts, then our hearts are filled with love and we find it easier to love others.

Introduction (5m)

This whole series says: God Loves You

God’s love is scandalous because we can never understand it in human terms

Ephesians 3:17–19 NLT

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

We can only begin to understand through the power of the Holy Spirit

As we begin to understand, naturally we want to respond. How?

Like the Pharisees, many of us feel we should do something - follow some rules - like a contract

They would debate which was the most important Commandment all the time

Laws of circumcision / Sabbath / sacrifices.

We are often guilty of doing the same - what’s the most important thing we can do for God?

Attend worship meetings/pray/study our Bibles/volunteer/follow certain rules.

When that happens our love for God becomes a rule/obligation and these things become a chore

If you see God and his love and your response to his love through the lens of a contract, then eventually you will die inside.

Jesus cuts through all of this and chooses a commandment which already has central important in Jewish religious life

Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Part of the Shema, recited twice daily > written on doorposts > phylacteries (small leather bags worn on left arm/head, containing a number of Biblical selections).

Explanation (5m)

God doesn’t want a contract with you, he wants a relationship with you

Hosea 6:6 The Living Bible

“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me.

God’s passion > God deeply loves you > Desires your love in return > Jesus: Learning to love God is the first commandment in your life.Explanation (5m)

That Relationship with God is more like a Marriage Covenant

Revelation 19:7–8 NLT

Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

Bride of Christ > Jesus = husband > desires intimate relationship > freedom > love is a gift to be fully consummated when we reach heaven.

Application (5m)

How do we close the gap between us and God: Join the Dance

There's a dance that all creation is invited to join, where the Father, Son and Spirit interact and combine.

It's a dance where everyone can contribute to the whole in the Spirit, through the Saviour, to the Father. Geraldine Latty (born 1963) & Mike Busbee

A New Rhythm for Our Lives

Romans 12:2 NIV - Anglicised

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Two Patterns/Rhythms

Conformed rhythm

Jelly mould - changed from outside in - fit in to the world around us. Patterns of world not wrong but keep us from dance of God > overworking, neglecting relationships, too much technology > so busy, no time for God.

Rhythm of transformation/renewal

Transformation = changed from inside out - butterfly. Not doing, but being. HS transformation > more loving > will want to love God, practice means of grace, etc > Learn how to dance!

In the Spirit, with the Saviour, we will worship you, God, looking through your eyes of mercy to the world that you love. And the dance that takes us into your compassion and grace will return us to the mission of the Father. Geraldine Latty (born 1963) & Mike Busbee

Then Practice It

Feelings, decisions, thoughts, actions

Matthew 22:37 NLT

Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

If you’re not feeling something about your way of relating to God, deciding something about it, thinking something about it, and doing something about it–then you won’t see any change. (The Relationship Principles of Jesus, Tom Holladay)

Talk to God aloud and with emotion?

Psalms

All of your soul = all of God’s will in every part of your life

Stamp all of your life with the prayer, “Not my will, Lord, but yours be done”.

Put God’s word in your mind

Philippians 4:8 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Bring this verse to mind each time you face a circumstance that tempts you to turn your thoughts from love for God to something else.

Rely on God to give you the strength/energy/stamina to dance the dance

It’s time to put on your dancing shoes!

Next Steps

Video: Arms of Love