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Establishing Peace, Ducks In A Row (Part 2)
- 5. #1 Order: God Matthew 22:37-38 I John 2:15-17 Matthew 10:34-38
- 6. #1 Order: God Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
- 7. A W Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.”
- 8. A Puritan sat down to only a little bread & some water. His response was to exclaim, “What? All this and Jesus Christ too!”
- 9. 1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
- 10. #1 God #2 Institution of Marriage Malachi 2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously, And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, For Judah has profaned The LORD'S holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.
- 11. Institution of Marriage Malachi 2:14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce,
- 15. God Institution of Marriage Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
- 16. #1 Home Where Husband was Raised Husband and Wife’s Home Home Where Wife was Raised
- 17. #1 God #2 Institution of Marriage #3 Spouse Children
- 20. Agape Matthew 22:36 "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."
- 21. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Name) suffers long and is kind; (Name) does not envy; (Name) does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (Name) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, (Name) thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (Name) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE never fails.
- 22. Agape The Greatest Demonstration of it John 3:16 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. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- 24. #1 God #2 Institution of Marriage #3 Spouse #4 Children
Notes de l'éditeur
- God is our Creator – Gen 1 35 times in 34 verses – God Created -- He knows us best / He has authority / He knowledge surpasses us – A. Gen 1:27 -- We are in His Image 1. Romans 1:20 Creator – we understand things that are made 2. Eph 2:10 – Workmanship – God appeared beforehand – we should walk in them 3. Psalms 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfully Made! So I will fear Him! B. Order He expects – 1. Matthew 22:37 – Love God all Heart, Soul, Mind, (Luke adds) Strength / A. First – Him, Not the World: First John 2:15 – Love the World, Things in the Word -- 1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1. No man can serve two masters (Mt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.) 2. Love God or Love the World – a. Lust (sinful or wrongful desire) of Flesh – List of sins include Fornication, Adultery, Homosexuality, Sodomy – can’t inherit the Kingdom Ps 51: David understood it – “Against you, You only, have I sinned” vr 4 -- Against God, He and Bathsheba were made in God’s Image – Defiled God’s Institution – He failed to honor God’s creation of life (orchestrated Uriah’s death). b. Lust of EYE – Covetous -- c. Pride of LIFE – Our desire to think higher of ourself than others and even more then God! Remember – this happens as we love the World more / God less. The first example of the temptation of the pride of life occurs in the Garden of Eden, where Eve was tempted by the serpent to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve perceived that the fruit was “good for food,” “pleasing to the eye,” and “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3:6). Eve somehow perceived that the fruit would make her wise, giving her a wisdom beyond her own. Part of Satan’s lie was that eating the fruit would make her “like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Second Example: Satan tried these same three temptations on Christ during His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He tempted Jesus with the lust of the flesh, bread for His hunger (vv. 2-3), the lust of the eyes, “all the kingdoms of the world with their splendor” (vv. 8-9), and the pride of life, daring Him to cast Himself from the roof of the Temple in order to prove that He was the Messiah by an ostentatious display of power that was not in the will of God or His plan for the redemption of mankind (vv. 5-6). B. LOVE GOD MOST -– not even Second – God is too grand for second! Second (order) First and Greatest – Second is not simply a high ranking – Clearly Below First! -- Love neighbor as Yourself / Don’t Love others too MUCH! Under these two hang all the law and the prophets (order) I Cor 12 --- Spiritual gifts were used w/o Love – Love chapter 13 I Cor 8 – Right to eat meat – won’t if it causes his brother to stumble Matthew 10:34 -- Us to Sacrifice all for our Relationship for Him! (quickly say – I’d die for my wife, children, husband – would you die for the Lord?) a. Faithful Love brings PEACE in Relationship with God – All other relationships peace or confusion exist under at Peace with God / Pain Free living can’t be our standard. 1. APP: It hurts to hurt, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to hurt. b. Vr 34 Sword, not peace – God’s Word and Will will carve away the impurities from a life, will sharply divide us from sinners, cause us to boldly speak against sin the world has accepted and expects us to accept -- These moments will not feel peaceful – because outwardly – There is no peace. Rom 13:1-8 Civil Authority are given a sword by God to execute evil / Word of God is sword for us (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12) – You ever been cut by the sword? (Prov 28:14 -- Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.) Ephesians 4:18-19 speaks of someone who has “blindness of the heart”; in other words, a heart that has been calloused and feels nothing. Verse 19 says these people are “past feeling”. At one time, they had feeling when the Holy Spirit would stir them. Some of these are Christians who had a close relationship with God. They prayed; they read and studied the Bible, they truly cared. But that is the past. Something happened along the way where Satan got a foot in the door. Perhaps they got their feelings hurt by another Christian, or are just closed off. Now, the spark is gone from their eye and they have no desire to serve the Lord. Some of these people have given up. Israel’s hardening as a nation represents a special set of circumstances. The Psalms speak of their calloused hearts. Read the scriptures below and write what each verse is saying about a calloused heart. b. Vr 35-- The lines between Christ and family members can often cut deeply (like a sword) – man against father / daughter against mother / daughter-in-law against mother-in-law – Enemies (may not feel like enemies in all ways – but if they have the potential to pull your soul from God – The most deadly enemy you face!) – 1. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 2. II Tim 2:24 We don’t stir fights EXPECTATIONS: Don’t follow the Spouse --- First follow the Lord! 1. I Cor 7:12-16 Married to Unbeliever, don’t leave them --- vr 14 the unbeliever may be sanctified by the believer / vr 15 – “but God has called us in Peace” – Seems to tie not only to the last phrase, but all under discussion: A couple is exposed to Christ – One is converted – the other is not. One case the unbeliever says, “You’ve changed –I’m not staying with you.” Another Situation – Unbeliver says, “You’ve changed, I like it, I’m staying.” Either way your goal is to 1. be faithful to God, 2. Be an influence to the unbeliever and children, 3. Remember you were called in Peace – People who are at peace with God, suffer long and are kind – turn the other cheek, go the second mile and forgive. 2. I Peter 3:1-2 Wives married to an unbeliever – 3. Ananias and Sapphira – She didn’t have to die! 3. 3. Yet PAUL – knew Peace w/ GOD – His Life inwardly was Orderly – Decent – Peaceful --- while outwardly – persecuted, misunderstood and often unappreciated Listen to this Man in Phil 3 and 4 and II Tim 1, 4 4. Willing to Suffer (endure Chaos) in all ways to NOT SUFFER in Relationship with God! -- Psalm 73: (all Psalm for Homework) – Prosperity of the Wicked seems so much easier! Look down on have nots – Flaunt their godless lives – wallow in wealth and Luxuries – -- ½ parables are about stewardship – What do we do with all God gives us? Out of order when we think all God gives us to use up on our family! vr 3 Envious (distracted and persuaded by world) Even Reorder or Redefined success (Prosperity of the Wicked – as if earthly riches was success or earthly accalades are real praise) Believe Lies – vr 4 – No pain in their death – “grass is always greener” / Satan is the Father of Lies vr 10 -- People return to the Evil – The World is attractive - I John 2:15 / The World can’t fullfill us – The world Drains us! Vr 10 (HUGE VERSE) (ps 23 – “my cup runs over”) / some translations say only that the imitators of the wicked wealthy drink up their worldly ways with abundance – (Eph 4:20 “Uncleanness with Greed”) vr 11 – strong wicked Irreverence “How does God know?” – the delusional ones ask the Supreme Leader and Creator of the Universe “does He know anything?” vr 17 – ENTERED THE SANCTUARY – then I understood their END -- Going to Worship w/ other Godly People --- Helped me See the End of our Time -- Eternity (this is only understood through Gen 1-2 --- God is the Creator – Breathed a Breath of life – (II Cor 5:1 – tent…) vr 18 – Wicked are on Slippery Places – Vr 25 God is the Only One for ME! -- Heaven and Earth – God strengthens my heart – God is my Portion vr 26 – flesh and heart will fail – even die – God’s fellowship isn’t hindered by death! vr 28 Draw NEAR / Trust GOD / Speak of how God’s works in Your life has made all the difference! ( Psalm 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 ¶ The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. 73 ¶ YOD. Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 ¶ Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.
- JOKE: Man was in desperate need of a brain transplant Surgeon says, “Good news! We have not only found one, but two brains that will be a match for you.” “1 is $50,000 and the other is $5,000 -- choice is yours” Patient – “But I don’t understand such a difference in price – can you explain why?” Surgeon “sure – woman’s brain is used.” Marsha, missionary – life Chaotic Prayer: Let no One or Anything come between you and GOD Don’t punish spouse – leave it up to God (Heb 12) and their godly conscience
- Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
- Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
- Paul said in verse 11: I have learned to be content! Pause – think about things that you just didn’t know how to do it --- but someone taught you. You read and studied hard. You exercised it until you grasped it. Or you did it unitl you have muscle memory. This week I have thought a little about some things my dad taught me: I’m not a great mechanic or machine operator – but I am so thankful I learned to work with my hands a bit. I’m thankful I learned how to read. You know it wasn’t as easy for me as some kids. I wish I had learned how to spell. I’m thankful I learned how to be a husband. I didn’t know much when I first was married – but I can’t working and continue to. I’m thankful I learned to be a father. I’m thankful I learned how to write sermons and how to preach – I still have more to learn. I’m thankful I learned to drive. Learned to type. Learned my multiplications. … read…. Public speaking… leader (4th grade). Contentment is another thing my parents, my Heavenly Father have really tried to teach me. I’m trying to learn it. 2. Most of us approach life, each day, taught at Childhood – Conditioned, Approach life and days with an attitude of WANT or LACK Everything we have – just isn’t enough We are so overcome by it – that some think it is one of the few and best ways to show love -- by buying things and giving The World Breeds Discontentment: Our society has a strange approach now (hasn’t always been this way to this degree) – everything is geared to make you happy. Your job needs to be fun, wardrobe, car, house, wife, community you live, whatever ---- the continual question is – does it make you happy? 3. Advertising world is to breed discontentment. Make you miserable with what you have and want what they sell. -- Think about this – “CAN YOU BUY CONTENTMENT? Sounds kinda contradictive – doesn’t it? Just one more purchase will make me arrive to the point of contentment! Not Just Materialism: Relationships 1. How about your marriage? You content and constantly dreaming of changing your husband or wife? Or even dreaming of being single? 2. If you are single… Are you content or curse the days of being alone? Convinced yourself you will not be content until you are married. What about YOU: Your body 1. Majority of women complain about something about their body. Men can easily be found guilty too. 2. When is the last time you praised God in prayer – because you believe with all you heart you are fearfully and wonderfully made? 3. Getting Older? You content with your age or feel the need to try to convince the world you are a decade younger? What about Your JOB? 1. Is your salary an area of discontent? 2. Is your boss or environment? Person who has never left their village, yet is content, Aren’t hey happier and more blessed than the world travelor who is discontent with their present vacation! Person who lives a two room house with two changes of clothes and food for a few days and Sincerely thanks God for His many blessings and for His daily food is better off than person living in one of their two homes, who hasn’t even seen the food in the back of the cabinet for months – complains for a larger refrigerator so as to not have to shuffle food around to make it fit and drops off a bag of last years clothes while deeply complaining while shopping that things just don’t fit the way they should! Christian Song out now entitled “Enough” “All of you is More than Enough” is the first lines
- A W Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” A Puritan sat down to his meal & found that he had only a little bread & some water. His response was to exclaim, “What? All this & Jesus Christ too!” The truth is that when you come to the point where you realize that all you have left is Jesus, then you come to know that JESUS is all you NEED! (See 2Co12:9,10-note)
- A W Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” A Puritan sat down to his meal & found that he had only a little bread & some water. His response was to exclaim, “What? All this & Jesus Christ too!” The truth is that when you come to the point where you realize that all you have left is Jesus, then you come to know that JESUS is all you NEED! (See 2Co12:9,10-note)
- Contentment is being full Greed is wanting more The irony is that when our longing is more of God realizing only He can satisfy --- Then we get much more! Great Gain. Gain that no one or nothing else can provide.
- Malachi 2:11 The specific teaching is that God emphatically warned Israel against mixed marriages with pagans. Not only were they doing this – they were also deserting their first wives (wives of their youth – vr 15) in order to do it. The Holiness of Jehovah implied (translated in some translations) is the institution of marriage – which He Loves -- Do you? Note: “daughter of a foreign god” referred to women whose character was molded through their devotion to system – stark opposition to the righteousness of God. God had emphatically warned Israel against mixed marriages with pagans (Exo. 34:16; Deut. 7:3; and Josh. 22:12,13). Through intermarriages with the heathen they profaned that covenant. Ezra had done his best to eradicate the evil (Ezra 9:10); and, "Nehemiah, too, contended against those who had contracted such marriages,"<17> having found many such violations of God's law upon his return to Jerusalem (Neh. 13:23-28). The important consideration in this desire on God's part that Israel should not marry foreign wives was that doing so injected an element of paganism into Israel, an injection which had actually been the source of the total apostasy of both the secular kingdoms of Israel before the exile.
- What is the Big Deal -- “For what reason” -- arrogant rejectcion of prophets words – recuring throughout – stock reply “where’s the harm in it?” Wife by Covenant – Involved in an Institution – Covenant - Not Just two people – Not simply God watching two people – You have joined in a covenant – The oldest institution on earth! ILL: If someone ask you serve on a Board of Directors – Need to know more about expectations – right? Term limits – reembersments – nonprofit – how much do you expect board members to donate? If you were asked to be a partner in a business. What are expectations? If I am asked to sign a line – what am I signing? God is Witness – He really is involved in this. Matt 19 “what God has joined together… vr 16 He hates divorce – it goes against the order God designed – God’s design doesn’t look lightly at a person who serves as a traitor against God, against the institution and finally against their spouse. Note: God loves those who divorce -- loves all. I think we see a type of bookends here: Holy Institution which God Loves – He Hates Divorce. So What is expected in Marriage? How would we find out? Notice verse 15 Goes Back to the Beginning! "Yet ye say ..." See introduction for discussion of this arrogant rejection of the prophet's words recurring again and again throughout the prophecy. To every charge of evil, they had a stock reply "Where's the harm in it?" The harm in it derived, first of all, from the sacred nature of marriage itself, in which the partners of the marriage relationship, since they sustain a religious relation to each other, are also viewed as co-partners with God Himself, the third member of the union, and "a witness between thee and the wife of thy youth."
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave – Reorder Cleave Become One Flesh Spouse / Child Leave / Cleave Relationship committed for Life / Children – level of same commitment changes after 18 years of age Spouse – One Flesh / Children are to become
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave -- Reorder
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave -- Reorder
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave – Reorder Cleave Become One Flesh Spouse / Child Leave / Cleave Relationship committed for Life / Children – level of same commitment changes after 18 years of age Spouse – One Flesh / Children are to become
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave – Reorder Cleave Become One Flesh Spouse / Child Leave / Cleave Relationship committed for Life / Children – level of same commitment changes after 18 years of age Spouse – One Flesh / Children are to become
- Four Kinds of Love: Greek Words Agape, Phileo, Storge, Eros To watch this series, click here. Get the code to add this video to your MySpace profile / website. There are four Greek words for love that are important for Christians to understand. They are agape, phileo, storge, and eros. Three of them appear in the Bible. [1] If we are going to understand the Bible and the biblical world, it is important that we understand what these words mean and how they differ. The Greek word for sexual love or passionate love is eros, and we get English words such as “erotic.” When eros was used as a proper noun, it referred to the Greek god of love. The Greek word eros does not appear in the biblical text, so we will not spend time on it in this article, but it has had such an impact on English and our view of sexual love that it is important to mention. The Greek word that refers to the love of God, one of the kinds of love we are to have for people, is agape. Agape is the very nature of God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-12, 16b). The big key to understanding agape is to realize that it can be known from the action it prompts. In fact, we sometimes speak of the “action model” of agape love. People today are accustomed to thinking of love as a feeling, but that is not necessarily the case with agape love. Agape is love because of what it does, not because of how it feels. God so “loved” (agape) that He gave His Son. It did not feel good to God to do that, but it was the loving thing to do. Christ so loved (agape) that he gave his life. He did not want to die, but he loved, so he did what God required. A mother who loves a sick baby will stay up all night long caring for it, which is not something she wants to do, but is a true act of agape love. The point is that agape love is not simply an impulse generated from feelings. Rather, agape love is an exercise of the will, a deliberate choice. This is why God can command us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44; Exod. 23:1-5). He is not commanding us to “have a good feeling” for our enemies, but to act in a loving way toward them. Agape love is related to obedience and commitment, and not necessarily feeling and emotion. “Loving” someone is to obey God on another’s behalf, seeking his or her long-term blessing and profit. The way to know that we love (agape) God is that we keep His commandments. Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me…” (John 14:21a). There are Christians who say they love God, but their lifestyle is contrary to the will of God. These people mistake their feeling of affection for God for true agape love. Jesus made this clear: “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching…” (John 14:24a). Love is the distinctive character of the Christian life in relation to other Christians and to all humanity. The “loving” thing to do may not always be easy, and true love is not “mushy sentimentalism.” There is often a cost to genuine love. For example, punishing criminals to keep society safe is loving but not easy or pleasant, and asking someone to leave your Christian fellowship because he persists in flagrant sin is loving, but never easy (1 Cor. 5:1-5). That is not to say the agape love cannot have feelings attached to it, and the ideal situation occurs when the loving thing to do also is what we want to do. Christians are to be known for their love to one another (John 13:35). The third word for “love” we need to examine is phileo, which means “to have a special interest in someone or something, frequently with focus on close association; have affection for, like, consider someone a friend.” [2] It would probably be helpful if phileo were never translated “love” in the New Testament, because it refers to a strong liking or a strong friendship. Of course, we see how phileo gets translated “love,” because in modern culture we say we “love” things that we strongly like: “I love ice cream,” “I love my car,” “I love the way your hair looks,” etc. The word phileo implies a strong emotional connection, and thus is used of the “love,” or deep friendship, between friends. You can agape your enemies, but you cannot phileo them. The difference between agape and phileo becomes very clear in John 21:15ff, but unfortunately it is obscured in almost all English translations. After being raised from the dead, Jesus met Peter. Here is the short version of what they said to each other. Jesus: Simon…do you love (agape) me more than these [fish?].Peter: Yes, Lord; you know that I love (phileo) you.Jesus: Simon…do you…love (agape) me?Peter: Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.Jesus: Simon…do you love (phileo) me?Peter: [Grieved] “Lord…you know that I love (phileo) you.” Why the difference in words for “love” in this conversation? Why did Jesus use agape and Peter use phileo? Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him with the love of God, a love that may require sacrifice. After all, Jesus had just gone through horrendous torture for Peter’s sake (and ours), something he did not want to do but did anyway because of his agape love. In contrast, Peter avoided possible torture by denying Jesus. Jesus twice asked Peter, “Do you agape me? [That is, are you willing to do things for my sake that you do not want to do?]” Peter, on the other hand, still felt the sting of having denied Jesus, and was hopeful that their friendship was intact. Did Jesus hold Peter’s denial against him? Would he still treat Peter as a close associate and companion? Peter was not sure where he stood with Jesus, so he was trying to let Jesus know that he was still a true friend, and had phileo love for Jesus. The third time Jesus spoke to Peter, he came to Peter’s level and asked if Peter were indeed a true friend (phileo), which grieved Peter. Nevertheless, it was important, because Jesus knew what Peter did not know—that Jesus would ascend into heaven, and Peter and the others would be left to carry out his work on earth, which would require that they all be his good friends and do his will even when it meant hardship. [For further study on Peter's life, click here.] The fourth Greek word we need to understand is storge, which is the love and affection that naturally occurs between parents and children, can exist between siblings, and exists between husbands and wives in a good marriage. It occurs in Romans 12:10 in the word, philostorgos, which is a compound word made up of philos (the noun form of phileo) and storge. Romans 12:10 is a very important verse, directing us to be very loving and kind to each other. Romans 12:10 (Author’s expanded translation)As to your brotherly love, let there be deep friendship and family-affection toward one another. If one is going to have a wonderful Christian life, obedient to the voice of God and have rich fellowship with other Christians, he or she will need to exercise all three kinds of love. We need agape love because some of the things that God requires of us are not fun or easy, but need to be done. We need to have phileo love because we need true friends to stand with us, people who are emotionally connected to us and with whom we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings. Lastly, we Christians need to have storge love between us, a deep family affection that comforts us and helps us feel connected to all our spiritual family.
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave – Reorder Cleave Become One Flesh Spouse / Child Leave / Cleave Relationship committed for Life / Children – level of same commitment changes after 18 years of age Spouse – One Flesh / Children are to become
- Genesis 2:24 Man and Woman Leave – Reorder Cleave Become One Flesh Spouse / Child Leave / Cleave Relationship committed for Life / Children – level of same commitment changes after 18 years of age Spouse – One Flesh / Children are to become
- Spouse: Children are in a unique relationship – They are designed to be given to us and then Leave / they are not be “cleaved” “Joined” etc. 2. Institution of Marriage: Children are designed to be nurtured and trained – not lead and be hear It is an unfair task to expect the child to do what they are not capable of doing – hold the family together God: Children should not be idolized --- If we don’t have proper love for God – we look for something to be in that place. For some – they are weaker – never known real love – have a hole in their heart – Their child loves them – they will do anything for their child’s acceptance / or Pride – for them to achieve! ILL: Rebecca and Issac -- They placed Jacob and Esau in a horrible position -- The favoritism was bad – but since it was each for their “own” It lead to the children coming between the spouses. This lead to: 1. Deception 2. Favortism – friction between brothers 3. Her working against her own husband 4. Jacob grew up and practiced the same favortism he grew up with --- What a legacy. What if instead we left a legacy of Loving God first in our families – What if we all honored the institution of marriage. Loved our spouses and raised godly chidlren