Kingdom Love
Understanding Our Mission • Sermon • Submitted
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· 171 viewsJesus describes the defining characteristic of the kingdom-citizen and Christ follower - Love.
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Kingdom Love
Luke 10:25-29
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
INTRODUCTION:
A- There is no conflict with what Jesus says to the “expert in the Law.”
1- Jesus was guiding the man to see his inadequacy and sin.
(Galatians 3:24)
24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
(ωστε ο νομος παιδαγωγος ημων γεγονεν εις χριστον ινα εκ πιστεως δικαιωθωμεν)
παιδαγωγος = a person who guides, directs, and shows concern for—‘guardian, leader, guide.’ In classical times this term referred to a man who would accompany a boy or child to watch over him and guide him in learning proper everyday conduct.
(Romans 3:19-20)
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
2- The qualifier:
a. It is only through a relationship with Christ that we can live-out kingdom type love.
It is the Holy Spirit’s presence that enables kingdom love.
(Romans 5:5)
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
(ἡ δὲ ἐλπὶς οὐ καταισχύνει· ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκέχυται ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν διὰ πνεύματος ἁγίου τοῦ δοθέντος ἡμῖν. ) - the love of God has been poured into our hearts (filled to overflowing) by the Holy Spirit who has be given to us.
Since believers have been enabled to love through the indwelling Holy Spirit, what type of love is expected of kingdom citizens?
I- LOVE GOD (LUKE 10:27)
I- LOVE GOD (LUKE 10:27)
27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
(ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ἰσχύϊ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου, καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν.)
Notice some things about this God:
A- Who is He?
A- Who is He?
1- He is GOD.
a. He is the one who is the creator.
(John 1:1-3)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
b. He is the sustainer of everything.
(Colossians 1:15-17)
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
2- He is YOUR GOD.
a. He is the one who has chosen to redeem your life and eternity.
(Ephesians 1:6-7)
6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
b. He is the one who is interested in you personally.
Jesus taught that the Father is concerned about our everyday needs.
(Luke 12:22-31)
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.
23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.
30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
c. He is the one who desires a relationship with you.
(Matthew 11:28)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
(John 17:3)
3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
3- He is THE LORD.
a. He is the one who is Lord of all of creation.
(Philippians 2:9-11)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
b. He is the one to whom all people will one day bow.
c. He is the one to whom believers have chosen to acknowledge and yield control of their lives.
(Romans 10:9-13)
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
B- How is He to be loved?
B- How is He to be loved?
(Luke 10:27)
27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
1- With a love that is unselfishly focused. (Ἀγαπήσεις)
a. Like God’s love for us.
(Romans 5:6-8)
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
2- With a love that invests the whole person.
a. Emotional Investment
“with all your heart” (ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου)
The whole heart.
b. Spiritual Person
The eternal soul.
“all your soul” (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ)
The spiritual - relational pursuit.
c. Physical Effort
“all your strength” (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ἰσχύϊ σου)
Investment of time, energy, and resources.
d. Intellectual Processes and Pursuits
“all your mind.” (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου)
Growing in knowledge of the Savior.
Growing in understanding His kingdom ways and mission.
Seeking to become a sharpened tool - intellectually for his use.
II- LOVE PEOPLE (LUKE 10:27)
II- LOVE PEOPLE (LUKE 10:27)
27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
(ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ἰσχύϊ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου, καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν.)
A-Who am I to love?
A-Who am I to love?
1- Whoever is my neighbor.
a. Who does God say is my neighbor?
(πλησίον= the one who is near or close by, neighbor, fellow human being)
Other believers (John 15:12)
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
(John 13:35)
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
enemies (Luke 6:35-36)
35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.
36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
Those who are hurting (Luke 10:30-37)
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.
32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.
34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.
35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
B- How am I to love people?
B- How am I to love people?
1- Like I do myself. (τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν.)
a. Compassion (Luke 10:30-37)
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.
32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.
34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.
35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
Compassion is not pity.
Compassion is real, God-type love in action.
Compassion is choosing to care and respond to the needs of others. Even if they don’t “deserve it.”
b. Consideration (Philippians 2:3)
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Considering the needs of others as more important than personal comfort.
Considering the feelings of others, and choosing to forego personal “rights” in order to avoid hurting others.
c. Commitment
Commitment to offer godly response to the needs of people.
Commitment to respond as you would want others to respond to you.
Commitment to responding for the “long-haul.”
CONCLUSION: