Sermon Tone Analysis

What It Is

The definition of love.

Love is not getting whatever you want, or fulfilling your own desires.

The world may define “love” as this and then try to justify actions that are in violation of God’s law as being highly moral because they are “love.”

For example, homosexual couples may try to justify their disobedience to God’s laws based on the “love” they have for each other.

The real definition of “love” is doing what is best for the other person, even if it means you don’t get what you want.

God is love.

1 John 4:8

God demonstrated His love for mankind by sending His Son to die on the cross and pay the penalty of sin that we owed.

Jesus, the Son of God, became the perfect sacrifice to give back the perfect man that God had lost.

John 3:16

Before giving His life as the perfect sacrifice, it was obvious that Jesus did not relish the idea of going through with it.

Matthew 26:38-39

Even though Jesus did not relish the idea of going through more agony, He did so because He loved us.

That meant that He did what was best for the other people even if it meant He did not get what He wanted.

John 15:13

Romans 5:8

Jesus not only did this for those he considered friends, He did it for His enemies.

Christians are told to love others like themselves...

Luke 10:27

and esteem others better than themselves.

Philippians 2:3

What It Means For Us

It means that even though we have offended God by sinning and rebelling against His commandments, God loved us enough to die for us.

John 3:16

It means that God expects us to show that love back to Him.

We show that love back to God by stopping our sinning and rebelling against Him and turning to obey His commandments.

John 14:15

It means that God expects us to show love to our fellow man.

Philippians 2:3-8

1 John 4:20-21

1 John 3:16

That means doing what is best for them, even if it means we do not get what we want.

If you really love someone you will put their eternal soul ahead of your own fleshly desires.

If you really love someone you will want what is best for them, not what is best for you.

Christians that warn against homosexuality, adultery, or any other sin are not less loving than others because they warn, they are actually following the definition of love by putting the other person’s welfare first, even if it means the Christian will suffer persecution and ridicule or a loss of friendship.

When you are young you may have a crush and mistake that for love.

Lust is not the same thing as love.

A mature and correct definition of “love” is doing what is best for the other person, whether your desires are fulfilled or not.

What It Is Not

The only attribute of God

God is love

1 John 4:8

But God is also Just, Righteous, Merciful, etc.

Isaiah 45:21

Psalm 7:9

Deuteronomy 4:31

A license to sin

God’s grace is unmerited favor.

We did not deserve the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered to us, but God loved us and gave it to us anyway.

Titus 2:11

Romans 6:1-2

Yes, God loved us, but don’t forget His other attributes, including Justice.

God offers us a chance at salvation, but we will be judged and condemned if we refuse to conform to His commandments.

John 12:48

Matthew 7:21

Proof of salvation

God loved us enough to offer the perfect sacrifice for our sins, but that sacrifice is not automatically applied to us.

We have to use our freewill in order to accept it, and wash away the sins that separate us from God.

Matthew 7:21-27

2 Peter 3:9

Acts 22:16

Matthew 7:14