Sermons

Our love for others is so often conditioned upon what we think of them or how they are treating us. But Christian love ought not be like this. One of the hallmarks of this love is its relentless optimism. It refuses to give up just because the other is acting poorly. Sure, there are times to be cautious and prudent, but love is excessively hopeful in the others. May God give us more and more of this, so we can become more and more like Him.

The world can be an overwhelming place, especially for a tenderhearted Christian who wants to obey the Lord and love people. The burning question is, “Which people?” And with how much love? Am I required to love orphans in Istanbul with the same level of commitment and sacrifice with which I love my spouse? How does a finite person face a world in need of infinite love? Using concentric circles, Christians can roughly map out who they need to love and when. It is not perfect, but having a plan is better than being completely paralyzed.

Widows, orphans, immigrants, the disabled. There are “weak” people in all of our lives and God calls on us to love them. This can be a tad unnerving. Love them? Not just tolerate them, or help them or pay for their food? Love them? This is the call and way to do it is rather simple.

Many regard the command to love our enemies as the highest expression of Christian love, and for good reason. Loving an enemy roots our entirely in God and not within any aspect of the subject of our affection. This is the most God-like our love ever becomes, since He loved us while we were still His enemies.

Jesus didn't just talk about how much he loved the lost, he demonstrated his love by seeking and saving the lost. Just as he was sent by the Father, he now sends us to join him on this mission.

We often assume we love other people, until we look at the example of Jesus Christ. The most frequent thing the Biblical authors reference when speaking of Christ’s love is His death. “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” As Amy Carmichael said, “You can give with loving, but you cannot love without giving.” A quick overview of the Bible makes it clear, we must be willing to lose our lives in order to love others, and be wiling to do anything for their good. The love standard of Scripture is impossibly high, because it is patterned after God Himself.

As lockdowns drag on and we all grow weary, it is easy to forget the things of first importance. One of those primary duties is to love; in particular, to love God. Our relationship with God has always been based on His love for us. And this is why He can call on the same from us... to love Him. Whether Israel as a nation centuries Go, or the individual Christian today, we love God because He first loved us.

The Flood story is about God. His patience, His justice and His salvation. It is meant to serve as a warning to people alive today. And it is meant to teach us about what God has done for us in Christ. There is a very real sense in which Jesus is the ark of our salvation. Everyone must be “in Him” if they hope to pass safely through the Day of Judgment.

Rarely do we perceive how distorted we have been by sin. Perhaps sin itself has blinded us? Many people were just getting on with life when God chose to judge them all with a worldwide flood. Were things really that bad? Are they any different now?