Love Unquenchable

LOVE UNQUENCHABLE
by Pastor Richard Tow
October 18, 2015
Text: Song of Solomon 8:7

View PDF for this sermon (opens in a new window)

Description: In many sectors of our society, “tolerance” is equated with “love.” But is that a biblical concept? God is Love; but was He tolerant of Sodom’s sin? How tolerant was He of Korah’s rebellion, of Ananias and Sapphira’s lies, or of the debauchery in Noah’s day? Perhaps current assumptions about what love is should be examined in the light of biblical revelation. This message does that by considering the life and death of Christ, followed by an exposition of His directives in Luke 6:27-36.

View PDF for this sermon (opens in a new window)

OUTLINE

Intro
A. Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it….”
B. Love constrains us; turns duty into a lifestyle.
C. God’s Love: toward us & through us.

I.  God’s Love Toward Us 

A. What caused Christ to step out of heaven into this sin-sick world

(1) WWI Soldiers Story
(2) What is love? Love is seeking the well-being of another.
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 (3) I John 4:20, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love
his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And 
this
commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also

B. Come with me to the upper room, the night of Jesus’ arrest.
(1) Love stoops down to wash the disciples feet
(2) Love reaches out to those who need us; not just those who uplift us.

C. Everything Jesus did, everything Jesus endured, was voluntary.
(1) Endured cross for joy set before Him.
(2) Mother crossing prairie story.
(3) What is love? Love is unselfishness.
(4) First words of Christ on the cross: “Father
, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

II.  God’s Love Through Us

A. Receive His instruction.

B. Nature of Kingdom expressed in Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:27-31)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies….”

(1) “do good to those who hate you”
(2) “bless those who curse you”
(3)  “pray for those who spitefully use you.”
(4) “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away
your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. “
(5) “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.”
(6) “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”

C. The Reasoning in Luke 6:32-36

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What lessons have you learned about responding to others in love?
  2. Do you think the lifestyle Jesus describes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew) and
    the Sermon on the Plain (Luke) is doable? Why or why not?
  3. In this age of grace is the standard of holiness higher or lower than under the Law of
    Moses? Why or why not?
  1. Are there relationships in your life now that need the application of Jesus teaching in
    this message? Would you like prayer concerning those?