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DUE to the COVID-19 pandemic FAMILY NEWSWELCOME TO OUR VISITORS: Like everyone else, we are trying to avoid COVID-19 among all of us. Some of us are more vulnerable than others. We ask everyone to keep six feet from others and wear a mask so that no one becomes ill by attending worship. Some of us will be participating virtually through Zoom at home and others will be in the building. If in the future you wish to participate on Zoom at home contact Karl Marcussen and he will help you join us. FOOD BANK REPORT: This past week we served 16 families with food, and the total number of people fed is 61. That is down a little from last month, but the process is on going. We still have a significant amount of food if you know of a family in need. Our thanks to everyone that has worked with the food bank, and especially with Richard and Tina Hoyt, who have overseen this work. If you need help in setting up someone to get food contact the Hoyts or the Gibsons. KEEPING UP: Between the pandemic and an unusual number of deaths and people dealing with serious illness, it is important to pay attention to the prayer list. Please read over this carefully, and spend some time every day with cards, phone calls, and prayers. Being in quarantine is a wonderful time to send notes to those who are in grief, in pain, and/or alone. Please do not assume that church is taking care of all of this. We need everyone involved, and working from home you can do a lot. MAILING NOTE: We mail this bulletin to everyone we know of who is not in attendance at the building on Sunday morning at 11:00. TODAY'S LESSON
(John referred to this song, which was sung before the lesson: “God Is Love.”)
INTRODUCTION — “Love” is a badly abused word.
A. “I love that song.” What do you mean?
I. THE UNIQUE N.T. WORD FOR LOVE IS “AGAPE.”
B. “Making love” refers to sexual activity. C. The Greeks had separate words for love. 1. Eros — erotic, physical, sexual implications
D. Phileo — something material or emotional. See THE BACK PAGE below.2. Thelo — a wish or desire — Matthew 12:38 3. Philadelphia — love of brethren — 1 Peter 3:8 A. Also “agapao” (verb) used 114 times in N.T.
II. HOW DO WE FIND THE AGAPE KIND OF LOVE?
B. The world cannot comprehend this kind of love. 1. “Love your enemy.” Matthew 5:43-44 — How?
2. “Love one another.” John 15:12 — a commandment 3. “Love your wives as Christ loved the church.” Ephesians 5:25 — not a sexual concept.
4. 1 John 3:16-18 — actions show our love.5. “God is love.” 1 John 4:7, 12 — given by his Spirit. A. Experience it. John 21:15-17 — Peter has to learn it.
III. WHAT KIND OF LIFE DO YOU HAVE?
1. John 21:15 — Jesus says “agapao,” Peter says “phileo.”
B. God's Spirit helps us in this — 1 Corinthians 2:11-16.
2. John 21:16 — Jesus says “agapao,” Peter says “phileo.” 3. John 21:17 — Jesus says “phileo” referring to Peter's life. a. Catching fish — a natural thing b. Not being willing to die with Jesus c. Leading up to establishment of church d. Church is based on love. Notice the spirit of the world and Spirit of God.
C. Learn to love spiritual things — no weaklings.
1. James 1:27 — Are we strong enough to do this?
D. Allow God to build a new life in you — Romans 6:4.2. John 3:19-21 — love light and not darkness. A. Is it an agape kind of life? B. What are you doling about it? We grow “agape.” Phileo is not agape. John referred to our concluding song: “How Sweet, How Heavenly.”
THE BACK PAGEUSES OF THE WORD FOR LOVEIn our sermon today we are discussing the Christian concept of love, which is completely different than the uses we see in our culture's writings today. Getting a handle on this is important, because it helps us understand what Jesus was talking about when he told us to love our enemies, to go the second mile, etc. In Greek the word “phileo” was applied to something material or emotional. See Matthew 6:5; 10:37; 23:6; Luke 20:46 for examples of that usage. When “phil” was connected to another Greek word it referred to a specific object of the love that was physical or emotional. Here are some examples and where they can be found: Philoproteuo — Love to be first — 3 John 1:9 You do not have to be a Greek scholar to get the message of the biblical passages about love, but it is very helpful to know some basic things about the language when you are trying to grasp the biblical concept of love. It is also important to understand that while the Holy Spirit helps us in comprehending all of this (see Acts 2:38), learning to have the kind of love that Jesus talked about is a growth process. We live in a culture in which caring about others in a biblical sense has been equated to being weak or vulnerable. The notions of “survival of the fittest” and “looking after number 1” are in conflict with the teachings of Christ about loving others. That makes growing into mature Christians a challenge that takes time to acquire. — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Sign saying from Matthew 5:9 Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
