LEARNING TO LOVE
John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
loved you, that ye also love one another.”
loved you, that ye also love one another.”
“I John take thee Mary to be my
wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to
love and cherish till death do us part.”
wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to
love and cherish till death do us part.”
The honest truth is very few
people who make those vows really love each other because most people are
wrapped up in attraction at youth and it is difficult to love. Please allow me
to help you how to fulfill that promise at the altar. You said to love and to
cherish now that means you and I must learn how to love. This is a very simple
truth and yet profound.
people who make those vows really love each other because most people are
wrapped up in attraction at youth and it is difficult to love. Please allow me
to help you how to fulfill that promise at the altar. You said to love and to
cherish now that means you and I must learn how to love. This is a very simple
truth and yet profound.
There is very little real love in
the world. People make such idiotic statements like, “I just don’t love him any
more!” Yet, God said, “Love never faileth.” Most of us have never learned to
love. There are more than two words in the Greek for “love” but I would like to
focus on two.
the world. People make such idiotic statements like, “I just don’t love him any
more!” Yet, God said, “Love never faileth.” Most of us have never learned to
love. There are more than two words in the Greek for “love” but I would like to
focus on two.
·
Agape-This
is the kind of love that we are supposed to have but most of us do not which is
based on the “lover.”
Agape-This
is the kind of love that we are supposed to have but most of us do not which is
based on the “lover.”
· Phileo-This
is the kind of love most of us have which is based on the “object.”
is the kind of love most of us have which is based on the “object.”
Phileo is where one says, “I love
you because you are pretty. I love you because you are sweet. I love you
because you are kind.” Basically one loves the object because of what the
object does to them. Phileo in essence is an attraction. Agape is where one
deeply, unselfishly, and totally without reciprocation says, “I love you.”
you because you are pretty. I love you because you are sweet. I love you
because you are kind.” Basically one loves the object because of what the
object does to them. Phileo in essence is an attraction. Agape is where one
deeply, unselfishly, and totally without reciprocation says, “I love you.”
It is vital to for our well being
that we learn to love. In Deuteronomy 6:5-6 and six other times in the
Scriptures you will find the greatest commandment is to love God and the second
greatest commandment is to love one another. One commandment says “Thou shalt
not kill” while a greater commandment is to love. One commandment says “Thou
shalt not steal” while a greater commandment is to love. One commandment says,
“Thou shall not commit adultery” while a greater commandment is to love. The
greatest of all these commandments is to love! Certainly this deserves our
attention as God’s creatures.
that we learn to love. In Deuteronomy 6:5-6 and six other times in the
Scriptures you will find the greatest commandment is to love God and the second
greatest commandment is to love one another. One commandment says “Thou shalt
not kill” while a greater commandment is to love. One commandment says “Thou
shalt not steal” while a greater commandment is to love. One commandment says,
“Thou shall not commit adultery” while a greater commandment is to love. The
greatest of all these commandments is to love! Certainly this deserves our
attention as God’s creatures.
I Corinthians 13:13, “Now abideth
faith, hope, and charity and the greatest of these is charity.” The English
word “charity” in Scripture is not a mistake. It gives emphasis to the meaning
of the word “love.” When we think of “charity” we automatically think of
“giving.” Thus love in action is the greatest of these!
faith, hope, and charity and the greatest of these is charity.” The English
word “charity” in Scripture is not a mistake. It gives emphasis to the meaning
of the word “love.” When we think of “charity” we automatically think of
“giving.” Thus love in action is the greatest of these!
Romans 13:18, Love is a debt
that we owe to each other. I owe you a debt and that debt is to love you. Hold
it! I’m talking about real love. I am not talking about “attraction.” I am
talking about real honest to goodness, unselfish, and no need for reciprocation
“love.” I owe you a debt of real love and you owe me a debt of real love and we
owe each other the same debt of love.
that we owe to each other. I owe you a debt and that debt is to love you. Hold
it! I’m talking about real love. I am not talking about “attraction.” I am
talking about real honest to goodness, unselfish, and no need for reciprocation
“love.” I owe you a debt of real love and you owe me a debt of real love and we
owe each other the same debt of love.
In I Corinthians chapter 13 verse
one it tells us love is more important than talent. It is more important that
you love than to possess a beautiful voice for singing solo’s with, and more
important than to be an accomplished pianist. This truth is more important than
your daughter’s entire piano lessons put together.
one it tells us love is more important than talent. It is more important that
you love than to possess a beautiful voice for singing solo’s with, and more
important than to be an accomplished pianist. This truth is more important than
your daughter’s entire piano lessons put together.
In I Corinthians 13 verse 2 it
tells us that love is more important than knowledge. Thus is appears it is more
important to teach your child to love than for your child to go to school for
an education. Some of you will say “Amen” to that but your life does not
reflect it! I can prove it! The average parent does not spent one hour a year
teaching their child how to love, but you send them to school for 40 hours a
week to learn Geometry, Algebra, English, and History, but my Bible says that
love is more important than knowledge. Sit still! Say Amen or O-me! I
Corinthians 13:13 it says love is more important than faith! Ouch!
tells us that love is more important than knowledge. Thus is appears it is more
important to teach your child to love than for your child to go to school for
an education. Some of you will say “Amen” to that but your life does not
reflect it! I can prove it! The average parent does not spent one hour a year
teaching their child how to love, but you send them to school for 40 hours a
week to learn Geometry, Algebra, English, and History, but my Bible says that
love is more important than knowledge. Sit still! Say Amen or O-me! I
Corinthians 13:13 it says love is more important than faith! Ouch!
John 15:12 we are commanded by
Jesus to love! Do not miss this there is a command from Jesus Himself to us to
love. I mean real love or Agape love, which is the real love given to us by our
Heavenly Father!
Jesus to love! Do not miss this there is a command from Jesus Himself to us to
love. I mean real love or Agape love, which is the real love given to us by our
Heavenly Father!
In Romans 13:8 it says that love
is the fulfilling of the law. If you love you will have no other gods before
Him, not make graven images, not steal, not kill, not commit adultery, and not
lie. Thus love is the fulfilling of the law. It sounds to me like love is very
important.
is the fulfilling of the law. If you love you will have no other gods before
Him, not make graven images, not steal, not kill, not commit adultery, and not
lie. Thus love is the fulfilling of the law. It sounds to me like love is very
important.
In Galatians 5:22 it mentions the
fruit of the Spirit. There is a long list of the fruit of the Spirit and the
first one mentioned is love! Thus that means that love comes before peace,
before joy, before longsuffering, before gentleness, before goodness, and
before faith etc.
fruit of the Spirit. There is a long list of the fruit of the Spirit and the
first one mentioned is love! Thus that means that love comes before peace,
before joy, before longsuffering, before gentleness, before goodness, and
before faith etc.
In I John 4:8 it says God is
love! So you cannot know God unless you really love! You cannot have a Phileo
love and know God because God is Agape love. God’s love is not based on the
object but the “lover.”
love! So you cannot know God unless you really love! You cannot have a Phileo
love and know God because God is Agape love. God’s love is not based on the
object but the “lover.”
That is why most Christians do
not understand God, the Scriptures, the preacher, the teacher, the youth
pastor, or the sermons, because basically most Christians and God are on
different wave links. They are on Channel 2 while God is on Channel 7! Wait a minute! No,
don’t run to your TV and turn to Channel 7 to find God!
not understand God, the Scriptures, the preacher, the teacher, the youth
pastor, or the sermons, because basically most Christians and God are on
different wave links. They are on Channel 2 while God is on Channel 7! Wait a minute! No,
don’t run to your TV and turn to Channel 7 to find God!
In I John 3:14 the assurance of
our salvation is brought about by love. “We know that we have passed from death
unto life because we love the brethren.” If you Phileo the brethren that
explains why you feel the need to get saved every year when the Evangelist
comes to town because there exists no assurance of salvation via Agape love. “If you are good to me I will be good to you and if you are bad to me I’ll be
bad to you.” “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back.” When this
happens you lose your assurance of salvation.
our salvation is brought about by love. “We know that we have passed from death
unto life because we love the brethren.” If you Phileo the brethren that
explains why you feel the need to get saved every year when the Evangelist
comes to town because there exists no assurance of salvation via Agape love. “If you are good to me I will be good to you and if you are bad to me I’ll be
bad to you.” “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back.” When this
happens you lose your assurance of salvation.
Assurance is built up in the
heart of the believer because he Agape’s the brethren. He is the one with the
smile on his face! He is the one nodding his head up and down signifying
agreement with the preaching and teaching of God’s Word! God is not teaching
that you are lost because you lack “love” for the brethren He is saying that
you lack Agape love for the brethren. These with the Agape love are the ones
who shoot their hands up real high when asked by the preacher, “How many of you
are saved?” Why, because you have absolute assurance of your salvation because
you Agape the brethren and not Phileo the brethren! When your salvation is a
question mark in your own mind you cannot effectively win souls to Christ.
heart of the believer because he Agape’s the brethren. He is the one with the
smile on his face! He is the one nodding his head up and down signifying
agreement with the preaching and teaching of God’s Word! God is not teaching
that you are lost because you lack “love” for the brethren He is saying that
you lack Agape love for the brethren. These with the Agape love are the ones
who shoot their hands up real high when asked by the preacher, “How many of you
are saved?” Why, because you have absolute assurance of your salvation because
you Agape the brethren and not Phileo the brethren! When your salvation is a
question mark in your own mind you cannot effectively win souls to Christ.
“If you require a certain dress
code for the choir and for the schools I’ll take my husband and leave this
church and leave this school! I’ll show you! I’ll teach you! I’ll put my child
in a public school!” You are a real Einstein!
code for the choir and for the schools I’ll take my husband and leave this
church and leave this school! I’ll show you! I’ll teach you! I’ll put my child
in a public school!” You are a real Einstein!
“I just hate her” and that is why
you have doubts about your salvation at times. The Bible does not say we are to
love the good brethren. It says we are to love the brethren. It doesn’t say we
love the separated brethren it says we are to love the brethren! It doesn’t say
we are to love the attractive brethren or the righteous brethren it simply says
we are to love the brethren.
you have doubts about your salvation at times. The Bible does not say we are to
love the good brethren. It says we are to love the brethren. It doesn’t say we
love the separated brethren it says we are to love the brethren! It doesn’t say
we are to love the attractive brethren or the righteous brethren it simply says
we are to love the brethren.
The Scripture says in John 13:35
“By this shall all men know you are my disciples because you have love one
another.” What is it that the world is supposed to see and thereby say that he is
a Christian? “Preacher he must be a Christian because he doesn’t have long
hair! Preacher she must be a Christian because she wears modest clothing!” Hold
it! Both are true standards of the Scriptures but the distinguishing mark of a
Christian is love. Not Phileo but Agape love totally dependent upon the lover
and not the object!
“By this shall all men know you are my disciples because you have love one
another.” What is it that the world is supposed to see and thereby say that he is
a Christian? “Preacher he must be a Christian because he doesn’t have long
hair! Preacher she must be a Christian because she wears modest clothing!” Hold
it! Both are true standards of the Scriptures but the distinguishing mark of a
Christian is love. Not Phileo but Agape love totally dependent upon the lover
and not the object!
“Preacher he must be a good
Christian because he doesn’t drink liquor, smoke, cuss, dip, or chew, and goes
to church every Sunday!” That is all well and good! Those are correct
lifestyles for a Christian but the Bible says that the distinguishing mark of
Christianity is love! What is the distinguishing mark or factor for a child of
God? AGAPE LOVE!
Christian because he doesn’t drink liquor, smoke, cuss, dip, or chew, and goes
to church every Sunday!” That is all well and good! Those are correct
lifestyles for a Christian but the Bible says that the distinguishing mark of
Christianity is love! What is the distinguishing mark or factor for a child of
God? AGAPE LOVE!
·
I am
commanded to love God according to Deuteronomy 10:12
I am
commanded to love God according to Deuteronomy 10:12
·
I am
commanded to love my neighbour as myself according to Matthew 19:19
I am
commanded to love my neighbour as myself according to Matthew 19:19
·
In Luke
10:30 I am told who my neighbour is in the story of the Good Samaritan
In Luke
10:30 I am told who my neighbour is in the story of the Good Samaritan
Here is this Good Samaritan who
comes down the road and he sees a man and he doesn’t know him. The man has been
beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Now who is this man?
comes down the road and he sees a man and he doesn’t know him. The man has been
beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Now who is this man?
·
He was a
man of another religion
He was a
man of another religion
·
He was a
man of another race
He was a
man of another race
I’m not to love false religion
according to the Scriptures but I am to love those duped by false religion.
This man was a half-breed, poor, lower class, and a part of a hated race yet he
was to be loved!
according to the Scriptures but I am to love those duped by false religion.
This man was a half-breed, poor, lower class, and a part of a hated race yet he
was to be loved!
The first greatest commandment is
to love God and the second greatest commandment is to love my neighbour. The
poor, destitute, people of other religions, people of other races, and it is
not to be Phileo but Agape love.
to love God and the second greatest commandment is to love my neighbour. The
poor, destitute, people of other religions, people of other races, and it is
not to be Phileo but Agape love.
In Ephesians 5:25 I am commanded
to love my wife. In Luke 6:27 I am commanded to love my enemies. So are you by
the way! This is not a preference or a request it is a command! In Matthew 5:46
I am to love those that hate me. In Colossians 1:4 I am to love those in the
family of God. Wait a minute! I’m talking about real love and not a Phileo
love. This is to be Agape love!
to love my wife. In Luke 6:27 I am commanded to love my enemies. So are you by
the way! This is not a preference or a request it is a command! In Matthew 5:46
I am to love those that hate me. In Colossians 1:4 I am to love those in the
family of God. Wait a minute! I’m talking about real love and not a Phileo
love. This is to be Agape love!
I have given y0u the lofty
position of love in the Scriptures. Then I have given you a list of the people
God commands you to love; your neighbour, your wife, your enemies, and those
that hate you! I, like you, want to obey God’s command this greatest
commandment second to loving God Himself. I want to obey that commandment: the
commandment to really love my neighbour, my wife, my enemies, and my friends.
position of love in the Scriptures. Then I have given you a list of the people
God commands you to love; your neighbour, your wife, your enemies, and those
that hate you! I, like you, want to obey God’s command this greatest
commandment second to loving God Himself. I want to obey that commandment: the
commandment to really love my neighbour, my wife, my enemies, and my friends.
OBSERVATIONS
·
Understand
that I am commanded to give Agape love
Understand
that I am commanded to give Agape love
·
Understand
God never commands me to do anything that I cannot will to do
Understand
God never commands me to do anything that I cannot will to do
·
Understand
I cannot just decide to give Agape love
Understand
I cannot just decide to give Agape love
·
Understand
I can decide to do what leads to Agape love
Understand
I can decide to do what leads to Agape love
God says to us love your enemies
but I cannot all of a sudden discover I have an enemy and then say to myself,
“Ok, love him!” Hold it! I am commanded to love him! I can will to obey that
commandment to Agape but it does not happen in an instant. Not in one day!
but I cannot all of a sudden discover I have an enemy and then say to myself,
“Ok, love him!” Hold it! I am commanded to love him! I can will to obey that
commandment to Agape but it does not happen in an instant. Not in one day!
I cannot decide to love but I can
decide to do what leads to love. I go to the doctor. I’m sick! I go home and I
decide to get well! Now, the decision to get well doesn’t bring with it
wellness. A man has pneumonia and he says to his wife, “I’ve decided to get
well!” He cannot decide to get well but you can decided to take the medicine
that will make you well over time.
decide to do what leads to love. I go to the doctor. I’m sick! I go home and I
decide to get well! Now, the decision to get well doesn’t bring with it
wellness. A man has pneumonia and he says to his wife, “I’ve decided to get
well!” He cannot decide to get well but you can decided to take the medicine
that will make you well over time.
You cannot decide to Agape love
but you can decide to do what will help you to learn to love. I cannot decide
to get well and succeed but I can decide to take the medicine that will make me
well eventually. The Bible medicine will cause you to Agape love and not Phileo
love someone.
but you can decide to do what will help you to learn to love. I cannot decide
to get well and succeed but I can decide to take the medicine that will make me
well eventually. The Bible medicine will cause you to Agape love and not Phileo
love someone.
90 % of the Christian world has
Phileo love. 90 % of the Christian world are Dr. Spock prodigies. They are
nothing but left over flower children form the 60’s Woodstock Hippy generation
who has never really loved in their entire life.
Phileo love. 90 % of the Christian world are Dr. Spock prodigies. They are
nothing but left over flower children form the 60’s Woodstock Hippy generation
who has never really loved in their entire life.
That is why most of our children
in the Christian world look like they have been smoking dope when it comes to
the things of God, the preaching, the standards, the songs of God, and the soul
winning. They swoon at the worldly teen singers while sleeping during the
preaching of God’s word. When they see the punks, the thieves, the drunkards, the
dopers, the sex perverts, on their TV they are mesmerized and enthralled by
them.
in the Christian world look like they have been smoking dope when it comes to
the things of God, the preaching, the standards, the songs of God, and the soul
winning. They swoon at the worldly teen singers while sleeping during the
preaching of God’s word. When they see the punks, the thieves, the drunkards, the
dopers, the sex perverts, on their TV they are mesmerized and enthralled by
them.
Just in case there is someone
reading this chapter that really desires to Agape your wife, your husband, your
children, your enemies, and your friends then pay attention. I’m not talking
about liking your wife as long as she meets your needs. That attitude just
shows you don’t love her anymore than you do a toad frog! I’m talking about
real, Bible, godly, and Agape love. All of us have to know the medicine that
will lead me to have real Agape love over a period of time.
reading this chapter that really desires to Agape your wife, your husband, your
children, your enemies, and your friends then pay attention. I’m not talking
about liking your wife as long as she meets your needs. That attitude just
shows you don’t love her anymore than you do a toad frog! I’m talking about
real, Bible, godly, and Agape love. All of us have to know the medicine that
will lead me to have real Agape love over a period of time.
YOU SERVE TO LOVE
“I Mary take thee John to be my
wedded husband, to have to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to
love…” The truth is Mary Phileo’s John but doesn’t Agape love or really love
John then! She is IN love but that is dangerous because if you are IN love you
can get OUT of love. It is hazardous to your life to FALL IN LOVE! It sounds
like an accident. If you FALL you can get back up.
wedded husband, to have to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,
for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, to
love…” The truth is Mary Phileo’s John but doesn’t Agape love or really love
John then! She is IN love but that is dangerous because if you are IN love you
can get OUT of love. It is hazardous to your life to FALL IN LOVE! It sounds
like an accident. If you FALL you can get back up.
Here is what the wedding vows
ought to be! “I Mary take thee John to be my wedded husband, to have and to
hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in
sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to learn to love…”
ought to be! “I Mary take thee John to be my wedded husband, to have and to
hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in
sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to learn to love…”
John 21:15-17 the story is told
about Jesus speaking to Peter! Watch this! Jesus asked Peter the question,
“Lovest thou me?” In the use of the word “love” Jesus was saying, “Agape thou
me?” Peter answered, “Thou knowest that I’m FOND of you!” Peter used the word
“Phileo.” By the way, this is the type of love we all start out with. It is
human nature. I can prove it! You young men who are dating a 110-pound young
lady: let her gain 100 pounds and see if you don’t cancel the wedding? Between
the time you propose and the time the wedding is to take place let your fiancé
go from a 110 pound beauty to a 350 pound beast and see how much really love
her. I’d bet you would cancel the wedding!
about Jesus speaking to Peter! Watch this! Jesus asked Peter the question,
“Lovest thou me?” In the use of the word “love” Jesus was saying, “Agape thou
me?” Peter answered, “Thou knowest that I’m FOND of you!” Peter used the word
“Phileo.” By the way, this is the type of love we all start out with. It is
human nature. I can prove it! You young men who are dating a 110-pound young
lady: let her gain 100 pounds and see if you don’t cancel the wedding? Between
the time you propose and the time the wedding is to take place let your fiancé
go from a 110 pound beauty to a 350 pound beast and see how much really love
her. I’d bet you would cancel the wedding!
Jesus said to Peter, “Lovest
(Agape) thou me?” Peter in essence said, “You know I’m attracted to you.” Jesus
fed the 5,000 who would not be attracted to that! He raised the dead who would
not be attracted to that! He healed the sick who would not be attracted to
that! He opened blind eyes who would not be attracted to that!
(Agape) thou me?” Peter in essence said, “You know I’m attracted to you.” Jesus
fed the 5,000 who would not be attracted to that! He raised the dead who would
not be attracted to that! He healed the sick who would not be attracted to
that! He opened blind eyes who would not be attracted to that!
Then Jesus said to Peter, “Feed
my sheep!” What was Jesus teaching Peter? He was giving Peter the medicine of
serving in order to change his Phileo love into Agape love.
my sheep!” What was Jesus teaching Peter? He was giving Peter the medicine of
serving in order to change his Phileo love into Agape love.
“Peter do you love me deeply?
Peter do you have real love for me?” Peter answered, “I’m fond of you!” Then
Jesus responded by saying, “Feed my sheep!” What Jesus was saying to Peter if
you will serve me by serving my people that Phileo will be changed into Agape.
Peter do you have real love for me?” Peter answered, “I’m fond of you!” Then
Jesus responded by saying, “Feed my sheep!” What Jesus was saying to Peter if
you will serve me by serving my people that Phileo will be changed into Agape.
Just in case you really want to
Agape someone I would suggest you serve that someone! Just in case you want to
change that outward attraction into a deep abiding Agape love then you must
serve! By the way it takes time for the medicine to begin to work. It doesn’t
transform from one to the other over night!
Agape someone I would suggest you serve that someone! Just in case you want to
change that outward attraction into a deep abiding Agape love then you must
serve! By the way it takes time for the medicine to begin to work. It doesn’t
transform from one to the other over night!
Young married lady and young
house wife that Phileo will wear off after awhile. His feet will soon stink!
His stubbornness will soon show up! His breath will soon smell! His underwear
will miss the clothes hamper. Oh, it’s just a matter of time until Phileo loses
its glow and warmth. I would suggest to you that you get into the habit of
loving to take care of him and love serving before Phileo takes the summer off!
house wife that Phileo will wear off after awhile. His feet will soon stink!
His stubbornness will soon show up! His breath will soon smell! His underwear
will miss the clothes hamper. Oh, it’s just a matter of time until Phileo loses
its glow and warmth. I would suggest to you that you get into the habit of
loving to take care of him and love serving before Phileo takes the summer off!
Hey, young married husband! Its
just a matter of time before she gets tired of doing the dishes, cleaning the
house, doing the laundry, fixing the meals, and changing the diapers. I would
suggest that before Phileo flees that you love serving her, helping her, taking
care of her, and treating her like a queen. You cannot live off of the Phileo
of being the recipient of her serving and expect you to have Agape for her.
just a matter of time before she gets tired of doing the dishes, cleaning the
house, doing the laundry, fixing the meals, and changing the diapers. I would
suggest that before Phileo flees that you love serving her, helping her, taking
care of her, and treating her like a queen. You cannot live off of the Phileo
of being the recipient of her serving and expect you to have Agape for her.
That is why Jesus said to Peter,
“Feed my sheep!” If you desire to obey God and really love your wife, husband,
children, enemies, and friends then serve them. I did not say let them satisfy
your needs. I am saying you satisfy their needs. One will only learn to love to
the extent that one learns to serve!
“Feed my sheep!” If you desire to obey God and really love your wife, husband,
children, enemies, and friends then serve them. I did not say let them satisfy
your needs. I am saying you satisfy their needs. One will only learn to love to
the extent that one learns to serve!
A wife said to me in counseling,
“I don’t think I love my husband!” Wait a minute! What she was saying was she
has quit serving her husband. A husband says to me in counseling, “I don’t
think I love my wife anymore!” What he is really saying is, “I’ve quit serving
my wife!” No one quits loving you only quit serving!
“I don’t think I love my husband!” Wait a minute! What she was saying was she
has quit serving her husband. A husband says to me in counseling, “I don’t
think I love my wife anymore!” What he is really saying is, “I’ve quit serving
my wife!” No one quits loving you only quit serving!
There are dozens of wives sitting
in the average congregation in America who are starving for physical attention
from their husbands who are loved deeply by their wives but the reason for the
lack of physical attention is because the husband has quit serving His wife.
in the average congregation in America who are starving for physical attention
from their husbands who are loved deeply by their wives but the reason for the
lack of physical attention is because the husband has quit serving His wife.
The answer is to quit being
selfish and decide to serve each other so that you can learn to love each
other. Other wise it becomes a base relationship and a bickering relationship
with each fighting to be served instead of fighting to serve!
selfish and decide to serve each other so that you can learn to love each
other. Other wise it becomes a base relationship and a bickering relationship
with each fighting to be served instead of fighting to serve!
Jesus was telling Peter if you
will forget your needs, forget yourself, and feed my sheep you would end up
really loving me.
will forget your needs, forget yourself, and feed my sheep you would end up
really loving me.
The Good Samaritan did not love
his neighbour before he poured the oil and wine in or before he took him to an
inn. He loved him AFTER he had done those things! Here is a man bleeding, beaten
half to death, and you say, “I thing I’ll love him!” No sir! However, when you
have invested your time into someone’s life and all of a sudden you find
yourself loving that somebody you have learned to love! It has gone from Phileo
to Agape.
his neighbour before he poured the oil and wine in or before he took him to an
inn. He loved him AFTER he had done those things! Here is a man bleeding, beaten
half to death, and you say, “I thing I’ll love him!” No sir! However, when you
have invested your time into someone’s life and all of a sudden you find
yourself loving that somebody you have learned to love! It has gone from Phileo
to Agape.
90 % of you reading this chapter
know what attraction is, what Phileo is, what “like” is, and what
attractiveness is, but the reason you do not know what real Agape love is
because you have never really served any one without expecting any thing in
return!
know what attraction is, what Phileo is, what “like” is, and what
attractiveness is, but the reason you do not know what real Agape love is
because you have never really served any one without expecting any thing in
return!
If you desire to obey God’s
command to Agape your wife serve her. If you desire to obey God’s command to
Agape your husband serve him. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your
children serve them. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your enemies
then serve them. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your friends then
serve them. Serving does not mean giving them what they want rather it means
giving them what they need!
command to Agape your wife serve her. If you desire to obey God’s command to
Agape your husband serve him. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your
children serve them. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your enemies
then serve them. If you desire to obey God’s command to Agape your friends then
serve them. Serving does not mean giving them what they want rather it means
giving them what they need!
Someone says, “We’ve decided to
leave our church!” No, what you really mean is your wife and daughter decided
to leave your church because you have quit serving your church and are
expecting your church to serve you!
leave our church!” No, what you really mean is your wife and daughter decided
to leave your church because you have quit serving your church and are
expecting your church to serve you!
·
I have
given you a list of things the magnitude of Agape love
I have
given you a list of things the magnitude of Agape love
·
I have
shown you the importance of Agape love
I have
shown you the importance of Agape love
·
I have
shown you the position of Agape love
I have
shown you the position of Agape love
·
I have
given you a list of people we are supposed to Agape
I have
given you a list of people we are supposed to Agape
·
I have
shown you that we cannot decide to Agape and it happens instantaneously
I have
shown you that we cannot decide to Agape and it happens instantaneously
·
I have
shown that we can decide to do that which leads to Agape
I have
shown that we can decide to do that which leads to Agape