What is the definition of love?

Ÿ Let's look at how the world defines love.

An intense desire for someone or something.

A physical sensual desire for someone.

A common form of mutual affection such as family and friends.

An affection, romance and stability that comes from one person.

Ÿ Now a biblical definition.

The word love is mentioned in the old Testament 267 times.

In the New Testament 237 times. 504 times total.

Ÿ A love that gives first and expects or demands nothing in return.

Biblical love transcends feelings and emotions.

Ÿ This love falls into the category of "SACRIFICIAL LOVE".

1 John 4:19

[19] We love because he first loved us.

Question: Can we love (sacrificially) without God / Jesus?

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

[13] If I speak in the tongues a of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. [11] When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. [12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully

known. [13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ÿ Quite a list of God's description of LOVE.

Question: Are any / all of the qualities listed above even possible without God / Jesus?

Ÿ Did this list cover it all? Every human challenge?

Ÿ What about life itself? No! Not here.

Ÿ But Jesus does cover this in:

John 15:9-13

[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

[13 ]Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

This brings up a very interesting point. Jesus / God laid down his life for his friends.

How about all of mankind? Did Jesus die for the sins of all mankind?

Charles Hodge, writing titled "Systematic Theology".

Ÿ What was suitable for one was suitable for all. The righteousness of Christ, the merit of his obedience and death, is needed for justification by each individual of our race, and therefore is needed by all. Christ fulfilled the conditions of the covenant under which all men (mankind) were placed.

Ÿ His work is for ALL.

Now, is that what Jesus referred to as laying down one's life for one's friends?

Ÿ No! No! No!

Ÿ No human being could do what Jesus did to save mankind.

Ÿ Man's penalty for sin is death! Plain and simple. Death!

Ÿ Only God holds the keys to life and death.

Ÿ Only God / Jesus could pay the price in our place.

Yes, he paid the price! Then what?

Ÿ Not only did he pay the price, Jesus was able through God the Father to

NOT STAY DEAD!!!!

Ÿ He rose in victory and not only did He live, but that same victory of life is available for all who believe in his death for our sins and his resurrection from death!

Mark 16:1-7

[16] When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” [4] But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. [5] As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. [6] “Don't be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. [7] But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you .’ ”

HE HAS RISEN!!!

What then does this mean for us.

Ÿ How can we offer the love that Jesus describes?

Excerpt from ODB / James Banks

"We may look good from afar, but Jesus comes near, looking for fruit that only His Spirit can produce. Our fruit need not be spectacular. But it must be supernatural, such as love, joy, and peace in hard times (Galatians 5:22). Relying on the Spirit, we can bear fruit even then for Jesus."

Ÿ How do we meet up to the LOVE standard that Jesus demonstrated?

Ÿ It is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Ÿ Are we ready to tell The Story of Jesus?

Ÿ This is a story that has a very happy ending.

Ÿ And it's just the beginning of life for ever.

Ÿ Are we able to say as in Hebrews 12 that our motivation is to endure whatever it takes to share the good news with everyone we know?

Hebrews 12:1 thru 3

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Ÿ "The joy that was set before him" describes the motivation of Jesus to endure the cross. The joy that Jesus had was his love for us and his desire to save us from our sins. He looked beyond the suffering and shame of the cross and focused on the glory and joy that awaited him at the right hand of God.

Ÿ Jesus focused on the outcome, and he received "great joy".

Ÿ We can have that same "great joy" as we serve him and share his message.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

After all, they deserve the same opportunity God gave us.

John 15:9-13

[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Ÿ Because Jesus loves us ( as God the Father loves him), are we loving everyone around us as Jesus loves us?

Tell the story of Jesus; His death, burial and resurrection, for us. This is pure joy!

Fellowship with God for ever. Knowing true LOVE that only God gives.