Central Assembly
November 21, 2021 | Dr. Choco DeJesus | Love Them Anyway
Mark 12:28-34 ESV
Jeremiah 31:3b (ESV)
. . . I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
1 John 4:8 ESV
We love in two different ways:
"because of" love and "in spite of" love
Most of the love we offer to others is conditional. We love someone because of.
The other kind of love is the exact opposite. We love someone in spite of.
This kind of love is impressive because it's seldom seen these days, but when it's real, it's contagious.
Romans 5:5 ESV
2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV
* Someone was looking for the sheep
* Someone was looking for the coin
* But no one was looking for the boy
The elder brother was bankrupt of love.
Love is the currency of God's kingdom, but many of us are bankrupt because we've pursued other treasures, like power, prestige, and pleasure.
The currency of the kingdom of God isn't prayer, Bible study, missions, or service; it's love.
1 Corinthians 13:2b (NIV)
. . . if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
God always intended for us to love one another. The kingdom of heaven is a love culture, not a cancel culture.
John 13:35 ESV
John 8:1-11 ESV
Mark 12:34 NIV