UNTAMPERED LOVE

in the Church

John 11:5-6 "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days."
  • Love is closely associated with sweet smelling fragrances (as pictured in the Song of Songs)
  • The church's relationship with God is based on loving intimacy
  • The very nature of God is love. Everything He does reflects love.
  • The Father's love is both spontaneous and a predetermined decision
  • As we love, we become spiritually fragrant
  • Agape love is made up of at least 15 different aspects, as mentioned in 1Corinthians 13
  • Now we will see that agape love is not a thing that can be manipulated...

    The Glory of God's Love

    There is a relationship between love and His _ _ _ _ _ (Ps. 115:1)

  • God's plan for our lives is based on His _ _ _ _ for us (Jer. 29:11-12)

  • The ultimate result of God's love toward us, is His _ _ _ _ _ -

    (1 Pet 1:6-9 NKJV) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.

  • At times we may well feel that because things aren't going the way we had _ _ _ _ _ , that God is no longer loving us. Perhaps this is how Martha felt when she spoke to Jesus (Jn 11:21)
  • It was clear that Jesus loved this household. His refusal to be swayed from God's plan of love, ultimately brought God _ _ _ _ _ (Jn . 11:4)
  • Agape love is not something to be manipulated. We should not manipulate anyone because of their love for us, neither should we be manipulated because of our love for others (2John)

    Love that brings glory to God . . .

    Obligations

    1. Our love for God is deepened when we _ _ _ _ _ Him through trying times.

    2. We should not seek our own will or (manipulate) _ _ _ because of His love for us.

    3. Neither should we manipulate _ _ _ _ _ _ , or be manipulated by others because of love.

    Next week: Family Love