WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.799 Today we are looking at that passage, 1 Corinthians 13, the love passage. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:09.620 I'm sure it's somewhat familiar. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:13.540 It's one of the most common passages read at weddings. 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:15.560 It was read at my wedding. 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:18.160 Anybody else here haven't read at their wedding? 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:20.100 Come on, come on. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:21.920 I see hands up. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:23.740 That's wonderful, that's wonderful. 00:00:23.739 --> 00:00:30.859 Now, surely it's because it's all about romantic love. 00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:35.399 Romantic love between a man and a woman, isn't it? 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:43.060 Shouldn't we just pluck this chapter right out of 1 Corinthians and just feel encouraged about love? 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:47.560 Maybe I should tell you to snuggle up to your husband or wife. 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:52.739 Maybe if you're thinking about getting married, this is really the chapter you need to focus on. 00:00:52.740 --> 00:00:54.859 Don't think about the rest of 1 Corinthians. 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:56.780 This is all it's about. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:00.100 Is that what this chapter is all about? 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.219 Now, in English, we use the word love to refer to all kinds of things. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:11.219 You know, I refer to things I have a great deal of affection for. 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:14.280 I love pink iced donuts. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:15.879 They're delicious. 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:20.760 You know, I use it for romantic interests. 00:01:20.760 --> 00:01:22.920 I love my wife. 00:01:23.520 --> 00:01:24.680 She makes me feel great. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:29.480 You know, in English, this word has a lot of different meanings. 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:32.219 But what is Paul talking about here? 00:01:32.580 --> 00:01:35.480 What is this love he is talking about? 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:39.320 Tonight, we're going to find out what this love is. 00:01:39.319 --> 00:01:44.179 Is it this romantic love or is it somehow different? 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:50.939 Over the last number of weeks, and this weekend in particular, we've been looking at 1 Corinthians. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:58.239 Paul has rebuked and corrected the understanding of the Corinthian people about a whole range of things. 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:02.519 He has corrected them about their division in the church. 00:02:02.839 --> 00:02:04.099 Their sexual sin. 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:08.460 Their willingness to abuse their Christian freedom. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:13.379 How they would not look after their weaker brothers. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:21.099 And we've seen over this weekend things like how tongues and prophecy, how that fits into church. 00:02:21.519 --> 00:02:26.219 But now, Paul gets to the climax of what he's been talking about. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:30.240 And he starts with that last verse of chapter 12. 00:02:30.939 --> 00:02:34.259 And now I will show you the most excellent way. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:37.180 I've had to correct you about all these things. 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:40.800 Now let me show you how you should be characterized. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:44.460 Paul speaks about love. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:46.900 And he's going to talk about it in three ways. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:52.960 He's going to show its value, how it's characterized, and its expiry date. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:57.680 So please have a look at verse 1 with me of chapter 13. 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:08.640 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:18.719 Even if Paul speaks in many languages, just like in Acts 2 at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they could speak many languages. 00:03:19.459 --> 00:03:28.639 If Paul could do this, and if he could speak in holy languages, but he doesn't have love, it's completely useless. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:32.500 It's just like the noise of a clanging cymbal. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:44.039 Now this may be a reference to pagan worship, but it's likely that at least he's saying that tongues without love is just meaningless noise. 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:49.379 I had the opportunity to preach this morning at our Mandarin service. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:55.519 And a whole lot of that time I was thinking, man, I just wish I could speak Mandarin. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:57.519 Wouldn't that be great? 00:03:57.879 --> 00:03:59.500 Come on, I've actually prayed in the past. 00:03:59.799 --> 00:04:04.019 Lord, give me the spiritual gift of tongues so I can speak Chinese. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:07.100 And don't have to do all the hard work learning it myself. 00:04:08.380 --> 00:04:17.180 But if I was to do that, if I could actually speak Chinese, but didn't do it in love, it's just a waste. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:18.220 It's a complete waste. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.220 Paul continues in verse 2. 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:27.639 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:33.400 and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing. 00:04:34.979 --> 00:04:38.539 These are the things that Paul has been talking to the Corinthians about. 00:04:39.299 --> 00:04:45.740 The Corinthians prided themselves on their knowledge, their ability to prophesy and understand mysteries. 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:52.139 But knowledge without love, it's like being hit with a blunt instrument. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:54.199 And I'm sure you've felt this before. 00:04:54.599 --> 00:04:58.459 Being battered by someone else's knowledge can be very painful. 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:00.899 Imagine with me for a minute. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:03.099 You've broken down on the side of the road. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:04.700 You've got a flat tire. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:08.200 And you need to change it, but you don't know how. 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:11.340 That might be the case for some of us here. 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:11.840 I'm not sure. 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:13.640 But imagine, you're in that situation. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:15.020 I see some heads nodding. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:15.379 That's good. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:17.600 And all of a sudden, a car pulls over. 00:05:17.780 --> 00:05:19.540 And you're thinking, great, this person's going to help me. 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:20.600 This is going to be really good. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.160 And they get out. 00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:25.340 And he says, ah, I see you've got a flat tire. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:28.400 And you think, thank you, Captain Obvious. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:32.479 He asks, do you know how to change it? 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:35.219 And you're forced to say, no. 00:05:35.359 --> 00:05:36.939 I don't know how to. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:44.019 So while he's changing the tire for you, he starts telling you how many tires he's changed in the past. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:49.039 How his father taught him how to change tires before he was even out of short pants. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:51.060 And he just goes on and on. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:56.140 And you're thinking, you know, why don't you just hit me with the tire iron and be done with it? 00:05:56.860 --> 00:06:02.540 You know, you're just showing off about how easy it is to change this tire. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:03.760 Great. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.200 You're just beating me in the head with your knowledge. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.680 What would you think? 00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:10.640 Great. 00:06:10.780 --> 00:06:11.600 Thanks for your help. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:14.700 But why did you have to show off? 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:16.439 Why did you have to beat me with that knowledge? 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:23.300 Paul says that if there is no love, your knowledge is nothing. 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:28.180 If you don't use your knowledge the right way, it's all for nothing. 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:34.839 Your degrees from university, everything you've learned is just a complete waste. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:45.639 Even if I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:47.560 Paul goes to the extreme. 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:54.859 Even if I give everything away in this great show of philanthropy and set my body on fire, 00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:00.219 but don't do it with love, it's a waste. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:07.620 In this divine mathematics, five minus one equals zero. 00:07:08.940 --> 00:07:16.540 You're spiritually bankrupt unless love characterizes the gifts that God has given you. 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:21.300 What would Paul say to us if he was talking to us today? 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:30.379 He would probably question those who think they are so spiritual because of the knowledge of the Bible that they have. 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:36.560 Maybe they're not as deliberate as the guy with the tire, but every time when you're in Bible study, 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:38.740 you know, they're the first person to answer. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:40.560 You know, they answer every question. 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:48.220 What about those of us who think one style of worshiping God, that is the best? 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:52.840 You know, whether it's the type of worship, the instruments used, whatever it is. 00:07:53.800 --> 00:08:00.439 If worship isn't expressed in love, then that worship of God is nothing. 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:04.040 Love is of the greatest value. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:11.560 It is more important than having all the spiritual gifts, all tongues, all knowledge, all prophecy, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.960 as we've seen over this weekend. 00:08:13.260 --> 00:08:14.900 These are great things to have. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:21.340 But if you don't use them and show them with love, they're a waste. 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:25.640 Our actions show that we are spiritually bankrupt. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:29.660 So love, it's really important. 00:08:29.820 --> 00:08:30.860 It's of greatest value. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:32.340 But what is it? 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.399 What is this love? 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:38.620 Have a look at verse 4 with me as Paul switches between what it is and what it's not. 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:41.679 Love is patient. 00:08:42.079 --> 00:08:43.240 Love is kind. 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:44.579 It does not envy. 00:08:44.819 --> 00:08:45.699 It does not boast. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.519 It is not proud. 00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:48.579 It is not rude. 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:50.339 It is not self-seeking. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.480 It is not easily angered. 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:54.259 It keeps no record of wrongs. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:59.059 Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:02.360 It always protects, always trusts, 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:05.680 always hopes, always perseveres. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:07.639 This love is amazing. 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:09.060 It's ideal. 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:11.500 It's absolutely impossible. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:16.720 You can see why people want this part of the Bible read at their weddings. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:24.060 You know, if this is what our love was like, we wouldn't have relationship breakdowns. 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:28.639 We wouldn't have brothers fighting sisters. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:31.039 We wouldn't have parents fighting children. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:36.859 We wouldn't have husbands and wives breaking up if our love was like this. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:40.240 But our love is not like this at all. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:42.100 My love is not like this. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:45.120 My love is self-serving. 00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:48.680 We say things like, I don't feel loved. 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.200 I've fallen out of love. 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:54.320 I just don't love you anymore. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:58.840 When we say this, we really mean romantic love. 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:03.300 But the love Paul describes, it's radically different. 00:10:04.420 --> 00:10:06.600 It is a self-sacrificial love. 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:10.100 It is totally other person-centered. 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:16.480 It is the love that says, I love you, even though you are not lovely yourself. 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:20.139 This love is patient. 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:27.879 This word doesn't mean just waiting a long time, but enduring injury without retaliation. 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:31.259 This love is kind. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:37.320 Not just patient in the face of injury, but quick to pay back with kindness. 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:43.300 And Paul sums it up best when he says that this love is not self-seeking. 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:51.659 This love doesn't seek satisfaction for itself, but is prepared to give up what it has for others. 00:10:52.959 --> 00:11:02.079 There are a number of Greek words for love, but Christians redefine this word, agape, to mean self-sacrificial love. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:03.539 Say this word with me, agape. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:05.419 Ready? 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:06.159 One, two, three. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:07.139 Agape. 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.259 There you go. 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:08.899 You know some Greek. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.759 About as much as I do. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:15.360 Agape love, this love is not our love. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:18.779 We do not show this kind of love naturally. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:22.120 Naturally, we seek our best interests. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:25.259 We will only love those who are lovely. 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.360 I'll be kind if it will benefit me. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.120 We're self-seeking. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:35.319 But this agape love, it's not a romantic love. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:38.000 It is not affectionate love. 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:43.640 It is the self-sacrificial love that characterizes God through the Bible. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:50.860 When a young man reveals his passion to a young woman and he says, I love you. 00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:57.300 He's saying at least on some level, I find delight in you. 00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:58.740 You please me. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:01.560 I love you because you are lovely. 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:07.220 This love is self-seeking, at least on some level. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:12.139 But God's love is self-originating. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.560 It comes from himself. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:16.460 That great verse, John 3, 16. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:25.180 For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:29.659 God loves the world, not because it is lovely. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:37.899 You know, it's not that the world is so lovely, God can't help himself from loving it and sending his son to die for it. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.739 It's the complete opposite. 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.579 We are unlovely. 00:12:44.859 --> 00:12:50.679 If God's love was anything like ours, he wouldn't have sent his son to die. 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:55.899 But because God loves sacrificially, he did. 00:12:56.559 --> 00:13:01.339 Jesus died to save us and we do not deserve this love. 00:13:02.199 --> 00:13:04.659 We are not worth dying for. 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:09.599 We have done nothing that God should sit up and love us. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:13.879 We have turned away and rejected him. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:19.240 This love that God shows is a sacrificial love. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.419 And we don't show this naturally. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.439 But God does. 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.840 It is part of his character. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:34.019 And because we have been saved by God's love, this is how our actions are to be characterized. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:40.139 So Paul can say in chapter 16 of 1 Corinthians, do everything in love. 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:46.419 He doesn't say that for selfish gain, but for the gain of others. 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.939 Jesus says the same thing in John 13. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:54.919 All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. 00:13:54.919 --> 00:14:03.319 It is this quality, this agape love, that sets what Christians do apart from the rest of the world. 00:14:04.459 --> 00:14:10.839 This agape love is the climax of how we are to operate as God's people in God's kingdom. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:13.360 That's why it won't end. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.620 It's part of God's kingdom now and forever. 00:14:17.479 --> 00:14:18.899 Have a look at verse 8 with me. 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:21.699 Love never fails. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:25.019 But where there are prophecies, they will cease. 00:14:25.819 --> 00:14:28.199 Where there are tongues, they will be stilled. 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:31.879 Where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:35.120 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:39.279 But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:43.360 This agape love is permanent. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:52.419 When God decides to send his son to, you know, wrap things up on that final day of judgment. 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:55.779 To call us, his people, home. 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:59.440 After that time, there will be no more prophecies. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.060 They will be fulfilled. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:07.180 The imperfect partial knowledge that we have of God will be filled and finished. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:10.139 But love carries on. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:13.180 It endures past judgment. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:17.919 We will be with the Lord Jesus as he reigns. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:22.120 As he reigns and loves us and we love him. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:28.419 This chapter is not just about how I should love my wife. 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:32.240 It's not about what marriage should look like. 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:37.080 It shows us how we should act in all aspects of life. 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:40.840 Love is more valuable than prophecies and knowledge. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:42.019 They will end. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:44.160 But love continues. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:51.819 I think you get a glimpse of this sacrificial love when you have children. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:58.219 When Isaac was born, it forced me to be something other than selfish. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.419 To a certain degree. 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.699 Just to a small amount. 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:06.660 I would prefer to do nearly anything than change a dirty nappy. 00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:15.920 I would prefer to do nearly anything than rock a crying child to sleep at 2 o'clock in the morning when I have had very little sleep myself. 00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:19.060 You know, when you're covered in vomit and everything smells. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.160 It's just awful. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.759 But have kids. 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.159 They're great. 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.100 You know, you're tired. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:25.319 You don't want to do it. 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:30.919 Sometimes I really don't want him interrupting my life. 00:16:31.839 --> 00:16:33.339 Sometimes I still don't, to be honest. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:40.560 But when he was little, if we didn't feed him, he didn't get fed. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:43.160 Even now, he's two and a half years old. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.259 He can't fend for himself. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:17:01.399 If Alyssa and I ignored him completely for just one day, just one day, he would be probably cold, very hungry, probably hurt because he likes to climb things these days. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:07.119 Kids force you to not be selfish. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:10.839 You have to sacrifice your time for them. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.299 I do these things because I love him. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:18.119 But also because I have to. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:20.240 Otherwise, he would not live. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.599 Do I begrudge him when I have to look after him? 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:28.359 In my weaker moments, I do. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:33.900 But God's love is greater than ours. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:37.160 It is true agape love. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:39.480 Truly other person-centered. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:44.680 He picks us up when we are like a kicking and screaming child. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:48.579 He cleans off the mess in our lives. 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:51.220 He forgives our sins. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:54.900 And he doesn't do it begrudgingly like I do. 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:58.859 But God chooses to love us. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:03.119 God has shown us what his love is like. 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:06.519 And he invites us to love like him. 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:12.979 Two things in particular happen when we display this agape love. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:16.539 The first is that people notice. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:19.420 And the second is that relationships are mended. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.120 People notice. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:26.559 If you've ever showed this agape love, this other person-centered love, people notice. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.940 They say, you're strange. 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.019 You're so nice. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.299 Have you ever had this? 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:34.099 I see some people nodding. 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:34.559 That's good. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:39.279 I've been reading the Bible recently with a guy called Jason. 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.299 He's Chinese. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.319 Awesome guy. 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.639 I love reading the Bible with him. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:46.279 But on the first week, he asked me a couple of great questions. 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:51.000 In particular, he asked why I was studying at Moore College. 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:51.700 Why? 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.720 You've already studied. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.779 You were working. 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.700 You had a good job. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.339 You were earning good money. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:19:03.980 Why did you become a full-time student again, not earn much money at all, to be a minister? 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:06.099 It's a great question. 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:09.039 I've asked myself that question a number of times. 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:17.839 But I told him it's because I loved studying the Word and I love teaching people about God. 00:19:18.679 --> 00:19:21.079 And he asked me a second question. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.839 Why do I read the Bible with him? 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:28.539 I read the Bible with him late on a Sunday night, after church. 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:30.099 I've spent all day at church. 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.799 I'm tired. 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.980 I've got dinner waiting for me at home. 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:33.819 I'm hungry. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:40.339 I would like to be somewhere else, but I'm there with him, reading the Bible. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.199 Why? 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:46.659 He's noticed that there's something different. 00:19:46.660 --> 00:20:02.019 Imagine if we showed this kind of love every day. 00:20:02.540 --> 00:20:09.779 Whether it's at work, studying, talking to the person at the checkout counter when you're getting food. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:17.019 In your marriage, people take notice and they want to know why you love. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:24.940 The second thing that happens when we show this agape love is that relationships are mended. 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:31.759 Through God's love, through his son, our relationship with God has been restored. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:36.839 And our relationships with each other's can be healed. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.920 Relationships that were broken can be mended. 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:50.539 Men and women, husbands and wives, divisions in the church, brothers and sisters, parents and their children. 00:20:50.539 --> 00:21:01.259 Through this love that seeks to put other people's needs ahead of your own, there can be restoration of these relationships. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:06.019 Why would you not want to love like this? 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:09.299 I'm not going to sugarcoat it. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:12.779 It's really hard work. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:24.379 If you've ever had a conversation with someone and they disagreed with you, you know how hard it is to love them more than yourself. 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:28.779 But it is this love that has brought us life. 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:31.839 It is a divine attribute. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:34.259 It was never going to be easy. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:40.879 But through this love, we get to show others the love of God. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:45.400 Through this love, relationships can be restored. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:49.760 How can we not want to have this kind of love? 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.160 Let's pray. 00:21:55.240 --> 00:22:00.020 Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us even though we are not lovely. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:06.980 Father, help us to see with your eyes, to love like you do. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:10.880 To love others more than we love ourselves. 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.360 In your son's name we pray. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.319 Amen.