Term 3 2012 series 'One another' session 1

Love one another

Introduction: The Term 3 series is ‘one another’ there will be 5 sessions on different aspects of the many references to ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ in the New Testament. These terms are mentioned with much practical instruction on how to do life in Christian community. Pastoral care is a major focus of small groups in term 3 & 4, as we want to lift the sense of personal responsibility for all to see themselves as partnering in the local church to care for ‘one another’ (Leaders: Please explain this to your group)

“The major difference between hating and loving is perhaps that

Where as to love somebody is to be fulfilled and enriched by the

experience, to hate somebody is to be diminished and drained by it.

Lovers, by losing themselves in their loving, find themselves & become

themselves.” Frederick Buechner

‘But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another’ 1 Thess 4:9

From the many texts in the New Testament concerning love, I found this to be most challenging. Paul was commending this local church as a church that loves; I wonder if the same could be written of every local church; particularly ours! His commendation is ironic, “I don’t need to write to you on this matter – (but he does!) Insomuch as he brings to them (and us) an interesting reminder; ‘You your selves are taught by God to love one another” I asked the text this question: ‘In what ways does God teach us this?’

Firstly, we are taught by the law. The ‘shema’ states it clearly “Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God he is one God, and thou shall love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength” – Deut 6:4 and Jesus added In Mark 12:30-31 “and the second commandment is like it – to love your neighbor as yourself” Clearly linking the concept of a total, ‘holistic’ love for God, also expressed in love for others.

Secondly, by the life of Christ. Jesus showed us how to love. It is recorded in the Gospel of John, "Having loved those whom God had given him, He now showed them the full extent of his love" John 13:1 It is clear that a great bond had been developed between the Lord and his disciples. At this last supper He had opportunity to demonstrate this to them in the action of washing their feet, the lowest task usually performed by the slaves of the house. The service did not end there; but it continued to the cross of Calvary where the Son of God completely sacrificed his life on behalf of the entire world.

Q So how do I practically serve others around me after this pattern?

Thirdly, the inspired cooespondance (revelation) of the New Testament & direct impartation of the Holy Spirit. “Taught by God” is ‘theodidaktos’ – Lit. God instructed; (didaktos is the ordinary word for ‘teach’) the revelation of scripture in the New Testament speaks much of the preeminence of love. 1 Cor 13 especially, describes the superiority of love and its adjunctive behaviors. These are the inspired writings of the Spirit of God; additionally we have the indwelling Spirit as the guarantee of the ownership of God. The Spirit inspires us, quickens us, prompts us, cautions us and reproves us regarding how God loves us, and how that love is expressed through us to the community of God and to those he wishes to reveal himself to. Did you realize that you and I can be 'revealers' of divine love to others? Christ in US loving THEM!

Q How can I be a demonstration of God's love to a hostile world?

Paul uses two words for love in the verse, 'concerning brotherly love' is 1.’Philadelphia’ & 'to love one another' is 2.‘Agape’ Paraphrased, we may understand it this way; “In the matter of our natural affection for one another - God’s desire, that he is presently & constantly teaching us, is that we love as he loves. His love chooses, focuses and lavishes on the object of his desire, It is unselfish, undeserved, unreserved & loves for the total benefit of the recipient.

Q How do you react to this? Is it possible?
Q How is this kind of loving difficult? What are ways we diminish God’s love through us?

“The Greek word for love used in the 13 chapter of Corinthians and elsewhere in the New Testament is expressive of character and a determination of the will, not spontaneous natural emotion; It denotes a love which chooses its object by a decision of will, so that it becomes self-denying…the word is used in all places where the direction of the will is the point to be considered.”
(‘The love life’ study of 1 Corinthians 13 W.G Scroggie D.D.)

As members of a local church we will often need to love as a decision of our will, from the nature of Christ forming within us; at times love will be easy in community, at other times it will be excruciating. (Discuss this in small group)

Poem by Horatius Bonar

“Beloved, let us love; love is of God;

In God alone hath love its true abode.

Beloved, let us love: for they who love,

They only, are His sons, born from above.

Beloved, let us love: for love is rest,

And he who loveth not abides unblest.

Beloved, let us love: for love is light,

And he who loveth not dwelleth in night.

Beloved, let us love: for only thus

Shall we behold the God that loveth us.”

Hope you have a great night!
Ps Rhett

Next session: Care for one another