OceanSide church of Christ

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HOW DO YOU SPELL LOVE?

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      If there is a single-most important element of the home, it is love.  Several passages teach how love is the crowning grace.

1.       I Corinthians 13:1-3

 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And thou I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 

2.       In Colossians 3:12-13, Paul mentions seven things the Christian is to “put on.”  Then listen to his words in verse 14.

 

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

 

3.       In I Timothy 1, Paul reminds Timothy why he had been left in Ephesus.

a.       He was to charge some that they teach no other doctrine (I Tim. 1:3).

b.       Notice how he concludes the charge (I Tim. 1:5).

 

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeign.

 

B.      Most would say that love is a vital component of the home. 

1.       Most, however, do not really know how to spell love.

2.       Therefore, in this lesson, we will look at the question:  “How Do You Spell Love?”

 

I.                    LOVE IS SPELLED G – O – D

 

A.      I John 4:8

 

He that love not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 

1.       The very nature of God is love.

2.       God did not have to be taught how to love.  He is love displayed in a perfect being.

 

B.      An important thing to remember about God is this:  “All that He does springs from His love.”

1.       He acted in love when He created us.

2.       He acts in love when He provides for us.

3.       He acts in love when He disciplines us.

4.       His ultimate act of love was giving Jesus to die for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; I John 4:9).

 

C.      NOTE:  If God is missing from our homes, then perfect love is not found therein.

 

II.                 LOVE IS SPELLED A – C – T – I – O – N

 

A.      Love is more than emotions and words.  Love acts on behalf of others.

 

B.      I John 3:17-18

 

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

 

C.      This truth is easier understood than it is put in practice.

1.       For many reasons, we have a tendency to recoil when others have needs rather than responding with cheerfulness.

2.       An example of love put in practice is seen in Gaius (III John 5-6a).

 

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of thy charity before the church…

 

D.     Another point is that this truth about love is easy to understand and apply in some realms, but not in others.

1.       Taking care of needs like food, clothing, light bills, medical bills, etc., is understood to be a display of love.

2.       Rebuke, chastisement, and discipline are not seen as love by many.

a.       Proverbs 13:24

 

He that spareth the rod hatheth his son:  but he that love him chasteneth him betimes.

 

b.       Revelation 3:19

 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

c.        Example:  Peter’s rebuke of the new convert, Simon, was an act of love on the part of the apostle (Acts 8:20-23).

 

III.              LOVE IS SPELLED S – A – C – R – I – F – I – C – E

 

A.      A sacrifice is something that is offered to another.

1.       It involves something we possess.

2.       It involves a cost to us.

3.       In involves some labor and effort on our part.

4.       It involves a voluntary act of the will.

 

B.      Both Jesus and Paul come to mind as examples of those who loved others enough to sacrifice themselves on their behalf.

1.       Christ

a.       In John 1:29, Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb of God” that takes away the sin of the world. 

b.       In I Corinthians 5:7, Paul says:  For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

c.        Jesus became a literal sacrifice.  He poured out his blood upon the cross of Calvary for others.

2.       Paul (Phil. 2:7)

 

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

 

C.      To show love for others, we must be willing to sacrifice.

1.       We may sacrifice possessions.

2.       We may sacrifice labor and effort.

3.       We may sacrifice precious time.

4.       We may sacrifice our presence.

 

IV.               LOVE IS SPELLED F – O – R – G – I – V – E – N- E – S – S

 

A.      When individuals enter into relationships, there will be struggles, problems, and disagreements.  In these times, sin can be committed and often it is.

 

B.      Too, husbands and wives, and children are all human.  They are subject to the temptations of Satan.  Sometimes sin is committed by a family member.

 

C.      When sin is committed, love will seek forgiveness.

1.       Proverbs 10:12

 

…but love covers all sins.

 

2.       Proverbs 17:9

 

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love…

 

3.       Ephesians 4:32

 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

4.       Colossians 3:13

 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

 

D.     Cultivating a culture of forgiveness in the home.

1.       The story of man’s fall and God’s redemption through Christ Jesus should be told over and over in our homes.

a.       This act sets the stage for our need to forgive others.

b.       The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt. 18:32-33)

 

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredest me:  shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

 

c.        Ephesians 5:1

 

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

 

2.       Everyone in the family needs to possess a gracious tongue.

a.       One man said:  “The language of graces and manner…should flavor the family conversation.”

b.       Colossians 3:6

 

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

3.       Weeds of selfishness, disrespect, shrillness, and cynicism need to be rooted out of the home.  They need to be replaced with respect, honor, and veneration of every family member one for another (Prov. 31:11-12; Eph. 6:2; I Pet. 3:7; I Pet. 2:17).

 

Honour all men.

 

a.       Husbands give more honor to their convenience store worker than to their wives.

b.       Wives give more honor to their best friends that to their husbands.

c.        Parents give more honor to employers than to their children.

d.       Children give more honor to teachers and coaches than to their parents.

 

V.                 LOVE IS SPELLED H – E – A – V – E – N

 

A.      Heaven is the residing place of God (Matt. 6:9).  Since God is love, then love resides in heaven.  Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).  Think of that!  Our home in heaven is filled with love.

 

B.      Our homes should be

1.       The place we practice for heaven

2.       A prelude to heaven itself

3.       A picture of heaven

a.       A loving Father who cares, provides, and protects his family.

b.       A bride who promotes peace and tranquility among the home’s inhabitants by her disposition and acts of kindness.

c.        Obedient children who seek to do the will of their parents.

d.       NOTE:  The above actions are all acts of love both toward God and toward one’s family members.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      At this point, some may think that this preacher does not know how to spell love.

1.       We have spelled love as

a.       G O D

b.       A C T  I O N

c.        S A C R I F I C E

d.       F O R G I V E N E S S

e.        H E A V E N

2.       The word itself, however is spelled L – O – V – E

 

B.      When love fills our homes, it will

1.       Lift up the members of the household.

2.       Optimize the happiness found in the home.

3.       Vanquish many of the failings we see in our homes.

4.       Endure forever and ever.