Matt Nelson - December 18, 2022
Longing for love in the midst of hatred
LONGING Longing for love in the midst of hatred 12.18.22 Tweet screenshot 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 If I speak in the tongues 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. Current interpretation: If I am knowledgeable of political insights and current affairs, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the ability to eloquently articulate complex issues, have educated opinions, believe myself to be right, or if I am passionate about a certain subject, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I have influence or a platform to voice my opinion but do not have love, I gain nothing. If my belief systems are in order and I check all the boxes of a “Christian,” but do not have love… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love does not seek to destroy. Love does not dehumanize people made in the image of God. Love does not seek to create enemies. Love is not judgmental and doesn’t use truth as a weapon. Love is humble. Love is self-sacrificing. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. Love should be the single greatest distinguishing characteristic of the people of God. 1 John 4:19-21 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Cultural disciples Political disciples Social media disciples Matthew 5:38-45 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Practical ways to love well in a culture of hatred and division: Look to be a bridge builder and a peacemaker Disagree while honoring the image of God in every person Discern truth from untruth with a heart of humility Don’t allow opinions or disagreements to become greater than the mission A spiritually formed life must drive and shape our views, opinions, and actions. Matthew 2:13-18 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Jeremiah and Matthew use Rachel’s agony in the birth of Benjamin as a picture of the painful waiting for the Messiah to come. Jeremiah and Matthew use Rachel’s difficult story to describe how the Messiah will turn all our suffering into rejoicing. Jeremiah 31:3 3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
From Series: "Longing"
Deep inside each of us there is a longing for things to be made right. A longing in our hearts to experience true peace, unconditional love, and deep, residing joy. In the season of Advent, we join with the Old Testament prophets and the people of God who are waiting with anticipation for God to act and make things right. In a season where many are asking "what do you want," instead, we are asking "what do you long for?" During this time of Advent, what is it you long for that only God can fill?
