A Love With No Limits
TEXT: JOHN 13: 1, 34-35
SUBJECT: A LOVE WITH NO LIMITS
THE EVIDENCE OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF YOUR DISCIPLESHIP OR OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS THE CHRIST IS NOT IN YOUR SINGING, IT’S NOT IN YOUR MOVEMENT IT’S IN YOUR LOVE .
HEAR ME, LOVE IS THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD OPERATING EFFECTUALLY IN YOUR LIFE.
THE REAL POWER OR INFLUENCE TO IMPACT THE WORLD IS THE POWER OR THE AUTHORITY OF LOVE.
UNDERSTAND, LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL AND SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OR INGREDIENT THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.
NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, EFFECTS NOR AFFECTS
THE QUALITY OF LIFE AS LOVE DOES.
LOVE IS A HEALER OF ALL MANNER OF HUMAN HURTS. EVEN MEDICAL RESEARCH IS DISCOVERING.
NOT EVEN DEATH COULD STAND UP TO IT’S STRENGTH……
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US………
THE CLASS OR THE TYPE OF LOVE WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE IS NOT “PHILEO”OR BROTHERLY LOVE.
NIETHER ARE WE DISCUSSING EROS OR AN EROTIC PASSIONATE LOVE.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT OF DIVINITY TOWARDS HUMANITY WHICH OPERATES IN FAITHFULNESS, FORGIVENESS, AND FOSTERING.
THIS LOVE IS CALLED AGAPE LOVE,
AND IS MANIFESTED CLEARLY THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUS DEEDS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
THE LOVE THAT IS DISCERNIBLE CLEARLY IN THE LIFE AND OF JESUS CHRIST.
THIS JESUS SAYS IF YOU WOULD BE LIKE ME YOU MUST LOVE AS I DO.
THEREFORE, THE ULTIMATE MEASUREMENT OF OUR LIVES WILL NOT BASED ON A CONSIDERATION OF WHAT WE POSSESS,
BUT RATHER OUR LIVES WILL BE ASSESSED BY OUR ABILITY TO DISPLAY AND EXHIBIT THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS FOUND IN AGAPE.
THIS BRAND OF LOVE IS THE LOVE WE ARE CALLED TO,
IN THE BODY OF CHRIST,
BUT UNDERSTAND IT WILL PUT US IN RISKY AND VULNERABLE POSITIONS.
BE FOREWARNED, YOU CAN GET HURT ; NO, YOU WILL GET HURT OPERATING OUT OF AGAPE.
YOU CAN BE SERIOUSLY OFFENDED OR WOUNDED AT LEAST IN THE PHYSICAL AND IF YOU ARE WEAK IN THE EMOTIONAL SIMPLY USING THE DOCTRINE OF AGAPE.
AGAPE, PLAINLY SPEAKING, SETS YOU UP.
AND YET WHILE IT SETS YOU UP IN SUSCEPTIBLE, DEFENSELESS, AT RISK, EXPOSED PLACES;
IT ALSO PLACES YOU FOR AN AUTHORITY AND AN A POWER
THAT WILL SURELY BE ACCOMPANIED BY IT’S MANIFESTATION IN YOUR LIFE.
WELL, LET ME SAY IT LIKE THIS, WHEN YOU BEGIN TO WALK IN AGAPE RELATIONSHIPS TAKE ON A HOLY AND REDEMPTIVE APPEARANCE.
THINGS BEGIN TO CHANGE AS YOU BEGIN TO OPERATE OUT OF AGAPE.
THE TEXT HAS US TO KNOW JESUS LOVED HIS OWN TO THE VERY END.
REMEMBER THEIR UNFAITHFULNESS, AND THEN CONSIDER THAT OUR LORD WAS CAPABLE OF LOVING THEM BEYOND EVEN THEIR OWN UNLOVABLE BEHAVIOR.
OPERATING OUT OF AGAPE MEANS WE OPERATE OUT OF A COMMITMENT OF RELATIONSHIP THAT DEFIES LOGIC OR COMMON SENSE.
IT JUST DON’T MAKE SENSE. BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE WORKING IN AGAPE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD,
WHEN YOU BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND AGAPE YOU UNDERSTAND YOU RELATE TO PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE IT IN FOR YOU.
IT’S EASY TO LOVE THOSE YOU GET ALONG WITH,
SOMEONE WHO ENHANCES OUR LIVES,
HOWEVER, IT IS NOT SO EASY TO LOVE SOMEONE WHO HAS INTENTIONAL DESIRE, DESIGN, AND DEDICATION TO DO ME
HARM AS AN INDIVIDUAL. THEY ARE OUT TO RUIN THE QUALITY OF MY LIFE THAT’S WHEN AGAPE TAKES ON EXTRAORDINARY POWER IN YOUR LIFE.
GOD GETS THE GLORY OUT OF MY LIFE WHEN I AM IN SERVICE TO AGAPE.
GOD CAN’T DO MUCH WITH YOU IF YOU CAN’T OPERATE OUT OF AGAPE.
SOME FOLK WANT TO BE DEEP IN THE LORD, BUT DON’T WANT TO LOVE FOLK.
WANT TO BE PROFOUND BIBLICAL SCHOLARS BUT DON’T WANT TO LOVE FOLK.
WANT TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO YOU LOVE WHEN YOU LOVE THEM.
DO YOU KNOW ANY FICKLE FOLK?
SPEAK TO YOU ON MONDAY CAUSE THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD DAY,
AND ROLL THEIR EYES AT YOU ON TUESDAY CAUSE THEY ARE HAVING A BAD DAY.
THEIR MOOD CAN CHANGE AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING TO THEM.
BUT STRANGELY ENOUGH, THAT’S WHEN AGAPE KICKS IN FOR IT IS THEN YOU ARE REMINDED YOU ARE REQUIRED BY GOD TO
LOVE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THE DEFECTS, IMPERFECTIONS AND FAILURES IN THEIR LIVES.
IN CERTAIN STORES YOU WILL FIND A SECTION OF MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.
THE TAGS ON THESE ITEMS WILL SOMETIME CARRY THE WORDS :”AS IS.”
THIS IS A POLITE WAY OF SAYING, THESE ARE DAMAGED GOODS.”
SOMETIMES THEY ARE CALLED SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR.
THE STORE IS ISSUING YOU FAIR WARNING:
THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF SOMETHINGS-GONE- WRONG.
YOU ARE GOING TO FIND A FLAW HERE: A STAIN THAT WON’T COME OUT; A ZIPPER THAT WON’T ZIP; A BUTTON THAT WON’T BUTTON—THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM.
THESE ITEMS ARE NOT NORMAL.
THEY HAVE FLAWS IN THEM, SO WHEN YOU FIND THEM—AND YOU WILL FIND THEM—DON’T COME WHINING TO US,
FOR THERE IS A RULE WHEN DEALING WITH THIS KIND OF MERCHANDISE---
NO REFUNDS, NO RETURNS, NO EXCHANGES.
IF YOU LOOKING FOR PERFECTION, YOU WALKED DOWN THE WRONG AISLE.
SO REMEMBER IF YOU WANT THIS ITEM, YOU HAVE TO
TAKE IT AS-IS
WHEN YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE, YOU ARE IN THE AS-IS AISLE OF THE UNIVERSE.
EVERY PERSON COMES WITH A TAG ATTACHED—THERE IS A FLAW HERE—AND WHEN YOU FIND IT AND YOU WILL FIND IT.
JUST GET CLOSE TO SOMEBODY
REMEMBER EVERYBODY COMES AS=IS.
WE ARE CALLED BY THE POWER AND THE WORD OF GOD TO OPERATE IN A RELATIONSHIP THAT ALLOWS YOU TO BE A BLESSING EVEN WHEN IT STARTS TO BE A BURDEN.
(SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HEAR THIS)
YOU CAN SPEAK IN TONGUES ALL YOU WANT, BUT IT DON’T MEAN A THING IF YOU DON’T MASTER THE ABILITY TO LOVE
DIFFICULT PEOPLE.
EVEN IN THE MIDST OF YOUR PAIN, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF FRUSTRATION, YOUR HEARTACHE,
JUST BECAUSE THEY HURT US DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE RELIEVED OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A REDEMPTIVE PRESENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION, IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE WORLD THAT CAN HURT YOU SO THAT THE LORD WON’T REQUIRE YOU TO LOVE THEM?
AGAPE DECLARES NO ONE CAN HURT YOU TO THE POINT YOU RECKON THEM EXEMPT FROM LOVE.
IT’S A NO MATTER SITUATION:
NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAID,
NO MATTER WHAT THEY DID TO YOU,
NO MATTER HOW THEY TREATED YOU,
BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
YOU ARE DUTY-BOUND, COMPELLED, REQUIRED, AND CONSTRAINED TO AGAPE THEM.
NOW THAT DO MEAN I HAVE TO HAVE YOU OVER FOR DINNER, BUT I HAVE TO AGAPE YOU.
I DON’T HAVE TO BUY YOU GIFTS, BUT I HAVE TO AGAPE YOU.
AGAPE IS REALIZING YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE AND REQUIRED TO BE A BLESSING TO THEM IN SPITE OF THEIR TREATMENT OF YOU.
YOU REMEMBER WHEN WE HUNG HIM ON THE CROSS,
HE SAID, FATHER FORGIVE THEM.
WHEN WE HUNG HIM, HE SAID,
WHEN WE HUNG HIM, HE SAID,
FATHER FORGIVE THEM.
THEM WAS THE WE THAT PUT HIM THERE.
THEM WAS THE WE THAT CREATED A CALVARY FOR HIM TO HAVE TO GO TO.
THEM WAS THE WE. WE ARE THE THEM.
THEM, WE, US, THEM—WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT,
BUT THE WORD SAYS,
HE SAID FATHER FORGIVE THEM---AGAPE
AND WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE AT THAT LEVEL.
GO BACK NOW IN YOUR MIND AND REMEMBER THAT HARD CASE AND TELL YOURSELF THAT ONE.
YOU KNOW THE ONE YOU WANTED TO CUSS OUT……………
EVEN SINCE YOU BEEN SAVED……………………………..
SOME MAY BE SITTING UP IN HERE……………………………..
AGAPE SAYS IT’S A NO MATTER THING………………………….
LET THEM DOG YOU,
LET THEM ROLL THEIR EYES,
LET THEM DO WHATEVER,
BUT YOU WILL HARBOR NO HATRED.
YOU WILL WISH THEM NO HARM AND BE GENUINELY GLAD WHEN THEY ARE BLESSED.
YOU WILL PRAY FOR THEM EVEN IF THEY DESPITEFULLY……
YOU WILL BE KIND WHEN THEY LOOK MEAN……………..
YOU WILL FEED THEM IF THEY ARE HUNGRY………………..
YOU WILL HELP THEM EVEN WHILE THEY WISH TO HURT YOU…
I CHOOSE TO TREAT MY NEIGHBOR, SPOUSE, FRIEND, ENEMY, AND GOD RIGHT.
I DON’T HAVE TO LIKE THEIR PERSONALITY-----I CHOOSE THE RIGHT.
JOHN 13: 1
HE LOVED THEM BEYOND THE REALITY OF THEIR CONDITION.
LOVE STEPPED OVER REALITY. HE LOOKED BEYOND………….
I ASKED THE LORD I DO YOU STILL LOVE ME LIKE THAT?
HE REPLIED, IT’S THE ONLY WAY I CAN LOVE YOU.
YOU MAKE SO MANY BAD CHOICES & EVERYDAY YOU COMMIT SOME SIN..
ONLY LOVERS CAN LOOK BEYOND………………………………..DESTROYED CHURCHES
DESTROYED MARRIAGE, DESTROYED PEACE, DESTROYED CHILDREN, DESTROYED HOPE, DESTROYED SALVATION
IF YOU HAVE NEVER LOOKED BEYOND, YOU HAVE NEVER OPERATED IN AGAPE LOVE.
THIS LOVE KNOWS NO LIMITS…………………………………..
IT OPERATES IN A REGION WHERE COMMON SENSE CAN’T GO.
IT LOOKS BEYOND……ILLUSTRATION………………………………………………PLAYERS WHO PLAY HURT…………
IT GOES BEYOND WHAT IS SEEN TRUSTING THAT GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH WHAT YOU DO SEE.
WHAT YOU SEE MAY NOT LOOK LIKE MUCH, BUT KEEP LOVING.
AND IT IS SO UNUSUAL UNIQUE, AND ONE-OF-A KIND IS IT RARELY VERY RARELY SEEN.
TEXT: JOHN 13:1; 34-35
SUBJUECT: A LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS
WHEN YOU COME RIGHT DOWN TO IT, PEOPLE DON’T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW.
WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO KNOW IS HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE MORE THEY KNOW THE BETTER OFF THEY ARE.
KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A DESTRUCTIVE DANGER THAT PRODUCES ARROGANT PEOPLE WHO ARE A HAZARD TO ALL THAT IS HOLY, HELPFUL, AND HEALTHY.
NOT EVEN KNOWLEDGE PREVENTS SMART PEOPLE FROM DOING STUPID THINGS. WE BELIEVERS CANNOT AFFORD TO FORGET THAT PEOPLE DON’T CARE………………………….
THE EVIDENCE OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF YOUR DISCIPLESHIP OR OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS THE CHRIST IS NOT IN YOUR SINGING, IT’S NOT IN YOUR MOVEMENT IT’S IN YOUR LOVE . (WWJD—WWJHMD)
THE REAL POWER OR INFLUENCE TO IMPACT THE WORLD IS THE POWER OR THE AUTHORITY OF LOVE.
UNDERSTAND, LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL AND SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OR INGREDIENT THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.
LOVE WILL DO MORE THAN TONGUES CAN TELL, GO FARTHER THAN FEET CAN TRAVEL, CHANGE MORE THAN EFFORT CAN EVER PRODUCE.
HE HAS SHOWN YOU , O MAN WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF THEE BUT TO DO JUSTICE, AND TO LOVE KINDNESS, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.
NOW WHEN I’M OPERATING OUT OF “AGAPE” ( GET LAST SUNDAY’S TAPE)
I AM OPERATING OUT OF SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO YOUR WELL-BEING IN SPITE OF AND APART FROM MY NECESSITY TO OVERLAY OR SUPERIMPOSE MY WANTS OR WISHES ON YOU.
IF I’M OPERATING OUT OF THIS BRAND OR TYPE OF LOVE KNOWN AS “AGAPE”,
I DON’T DICTATE WHAT YOU NEED, BUT RATHER WHAT YOU NEED DICTATES WHAT I DO.
MANY MARRIAGES FAIL FOR JUST THIS REASON.
HUSBANDS AND WIVES TRYING TO DICTATE WHAT THEY GIVE.
“WHAT’S FOR DINNER? PORK CHOPS?
I DON’T WANT PORK CHOPS; I WANT CHICKEN.
WELL, IF YOU EAT TODAY, YOU’LL EAT PORK CHOPS.
I STOOD OVER THIS HOT STOVE TRYING TO HAVE DINNER READY FOR YOU,
AND YOU’RE GOING TO EAT THESE PORK CHOPS AND LIKE THEM TOO.
I DON’T CARE IF YOU DID HAVE PORK CHOPS FOR LUNCH; YOUR CHOLESTEROL WILL JUST HAVE TO BE UP TODAY.
THIS IS A GOOD SIMILARITY.
I DON’T GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED. I GIVE YOU WHAT I WANT TO GIVE YOU. BASED PRIMARILY ON HOW I FEEL THAT DAY.
SO IF YOU HAVE A NEED , ( A LEGITIMATE NEED) BUT I DON’T FEEL LIKE IT;
I JUSTIFY IT BY SAYING, “I DON ‘T FEEL LIKE IT.”
Ocupied merely with self and brooding upon self, may easily become one-sided and
SELFISH.
WE CAN BE SO SOMETIMEY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, IF YOU CATCH US IN A GOOD MOOD, WELL, AND GOOD.
BUT IF YOU HAPPEN UPON US WHEN WE ARE NOT IN A GOOD MOOD, ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THE EXPERIENCE.
THE CHURCH AROUND THE WORLD HAS BECOME A REAL LIVE SOAP OPERA BEYOND COMPARE.
“NOW, THAT IS NOT AGAPE.”
EPH. 4:19 “WHO BEING PAST FEELING.”
The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews (Ephes. 4:15) tells us that “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.” Here we have the Gk. sumpatheo4, “to feel for, to have compassion on.”
IN THE GARDEN, HE WAS HEARD TO SAY, FATHER IF IT BE POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS FROM ME,
BUT NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE. NOW THAT IS AGAPE!!!!
HERE IT IS-----AGAPE IS WHEN I AM WILLING TO ALLOW YOUR NEED TO INFLUENCE MY LIFE TO THE POINT WHERE THE WORD OF GOD IMPACTS MY LIFE,
AND AS IT IMPACTS IT MORE,,,,,SO DOES YOUR NEED.
JAMES 2:12-13
“SO SPEAK AND SO DO AS THOSE WHO WILL BE JUDGED BY THE LAW OF LIBERTY; FOR JUDGEMENT IS WITHOUT MERCY TO THE ONE WHO HAS SHOWN NO MERCY. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT.
(TELL SOMEBODY—YOUR DAY IS COMING) (REPEAT)
HOW UNNATURAL IS IT FOR THE GOD WHOSE MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER NOT TO SHOW MERCY.
GOD, WHO IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, THE SAME TODAY, AND THE SAME TOMORROW AND EVERMORE, CONSTANTLY POURING OUT HIS LOVE UPON US;
WHO LOVED US EVEN WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, GIVES US HIS GRACE THAT IS SIMPLY AMAZING,
WHAT WOULD CAUSE GOD ,WHO IS BY NATURE A SECOND CHANCE GOD, WHO WILLINGLY GIVES PEOPLE A CHANCE TO GET IT TOGETHER,
TO JUDGE YOU DIFFERENTLY?
YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE OR NOT TO BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS .
HE WILL NOT SHOW TO YOU WHAT YOU HAVE NOT SHOWN TO SOMEBODY ELSE. (BAIT OF SATAN)
AFTER ALL, HE IS THE ONE THAT SETS THE STANDARD.
HOW DOES YOUR EXPRESSION OF GRACE TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER STACK UP AGAINST GOD’S GRACE?
DOES YOUR LOVE OF GOD ALLOW YOU TO BE COMPASSIONATE TOWARDS OTHERS.
WHEN YOU OPERATE OUT OF THE SPIRIT OF AGAPE,
GOD WILL MAKE KNOWN UNTO YOU THE SAME AGAPE YOU RELEASE UNTO OTHER PEOPLE.
IF A PERSON IS KIND TO YOU, GOD WILL DISCHARGE INTO THEIR LIFE
THE VERY SAME KINDNESS THAT WAS SHOWN BY THEM.
WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND.
NO MAN IS AN ISLAND
NO MAN GOES HIS WAY ALONE,
WHAT YOU SEND INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS
COMES BACK INTO YOUR VERY OWN.
( I KNOW THIS SERMON IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY, BUT FOR THE BUNCH OF FOLK IT IS FOR IT WILL CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR CALLING IN RELATIONSHIPS)
LOOK AT JAMES 2:14
WHAT DOES IT PROFIT, MY BRETHREN, IF SOMEONE SAYS HE HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS?
CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?
TELL SOMEBODY, SHOW ME.”
ALL THIS TALK ABOUT LOVE AND THEN YOU DOG ME.
SMACKING HER UPSIDE THE HEAD AND TALKING ABOUT YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU CARE.
IF YOU CARE, STOP CUSSING FOLK OUT,
YOU SEE IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING OUT OF THE RIGHT MOTIVE,
GOD WILL RELEASE FAVOR EVEN WHEN PEOPLE DON’T APPRECIATE THE BEHAVIOR.
AGAPE LOVE MEANS TO BE FAITHFUL ; NOW, TO BE FAITHFUL IN YOUR LOVE IS TO BE COMMITTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF SOMEONE ELSE,
TO CONSIDER THEIR NEED AS GREATLY IMPORTANT.
AND TO BE STEADFAST AND DEVOTED TO RESPONDING REDEMPTIVELY
TO THEIR NEEDS.
I AM NOT OPERATING IN AGAPE IF I AM NOT FAITHFUL IN DOING WHAT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.
AND THIS THE REASON AGAPE DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO FOLK.
AGAPE MEANS I AM FAITHFULLY DEVOTED TO BLESSING YOU EVEN IF YOU DON’T BLESS ME.
(HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER GOTTEN MAD AT SOMEBODY BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T SHOW ANY APPRECIATION?
WHY WERE YOU MAD?
IF YOU DID WHAT YOU DID OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF YOUR HEART,
WHY DID YOU GET MAD?
IF YOU WANT GOD TO GET THE GLORY, WHY DO YOU NEED THE CREDIT?)
PASTOR, CAN I BORROW TWENTY? MONTH LATER GOT NEW SHOES ON AND I’M WONDERING………………………………
BUT IF I.M OPERATING OUT OF AGAPE, I UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING I DO IS NOT FOR REIMBURSEMENT PURPOSES.
ON MY JOB I DO IT TO GET PAID, BUT IN THE KINGDOM I DO IT BECAUSE I BEEN PAID.
GO ON YOUR WAY SAYING JESUS PAID IT ALL. ALL TO HIM I OWE……..
IN THE KINGDOM IF I BLESS YOU OVER HERE,
GOD WILL SEND EIGHT BLESSINGS OVER THERE.
HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING FOR SOMEBODY, AND GOD SENT YOU MORE BLESSINGS BEFORE YOU COULD EVEN GET BACK HOME.
WHENEVER YOU ARE A BLESSING, GOD WILL BLESS.
THEN AGAPE IS ABOUT FORGIVENESS.
UNDERSTAND, FORGIVENESS HAS TO DO WITH PEOPLE’S WEAKNESSES AND PEOPLE’S WRONGS.
NOW, WRONGS AND WEAKNESSES ARE NOT THE SAME THING.
WRONGS ARE DELIBERATE, INTENTIONAL, PRE-MEDITATED, WILFUL
ACTS OF DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD.
WEAKNESSES ARE THOSE INTERNAL FLAWS THAT FIND EXPRESSION THROUGH WRONGDOING.,
AND ANYBODY IN HERE TRYING TO ACT LIKE YOU DON’T HAVE A FLAW IS DECEIVED.
I DON’T CARE HOW TOGETHER YOU APPEAR TO BE; YOU HAVE A WEAKNESS.
AND THAT WEAKNESS SERVES AS AN INCUBATOR FOR ACTS THAT ARE AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD.
SO, WHEN MY WEAKNESS MANIFEST ITSELF, IT IS BECAUSE I DO SOME STUFF OUT OF MY WEAKNESS THAT BECOMES A WRONG.
GOD HAS A GREATER PROBLEM WITH MY WRONG THAN MY WEAKNESS.
MY WEAKNESS WON’T KILL ME; IT’S MYTO YOURSELF
WRONGS.
IT’S NOT YOUR WEAKNESS; IT’S WHAT YOU DO ABOUT IT.
A BAD TEMPER WON’T KILL YOU; IT’S WHEN YOU DON’T CONTROL IT.
THIS IS WHERE AGAPE BLOWS YOUR MIND;
YOU SEE AGAPE FORGIVES PEOPLE FOR THEIR WRONGS AND RECOGNIZES PEOPLE’S WEAKNESSES.
AND WHEN I OPERATE IN AGAPE I RECOGNIZE YOU DO HAVE SOME WEAKNESSES.
SO I CAN BE PATIENT WITH YOU.
THE REASON BEING I AM WRESTLING WITH MY OWN WEAKNESSES.
LISTEN, YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIE TO YOURSELF ABOUT YOURSELF.
IF THERE IS ANYBODY YOU WANT TO TELL THE TRUTH TO, YOU OUGHT TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELF TO YOURSELF SO THAT YOURSELF WILL NOT BE DESTROYED BY YOURSELF.
EVERYBODY IN HERE HAS A WEAKNESS.
IF YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT SAY YEA I GOT EM, GOT MORE THAN I CAN COUNT.
IF FOLK HAD HEARD YOU A FEW MINUTES AGO……………….
JUST KNOW HOW TO KEEP THEM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND NOT BRING THEM TO CHURCH.
YOU BRING THEM TO CHURCH, AND FOLK WILL DECLARE YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF WHERE YOU ARE SITTING.
SO, WE LEARN HOW TO PUT THEM AWAY.
(THEN THREATEN THE CHILDREN)
MOST OF US HAVE MASTERED THE ABILITY TO KEEP OUR WEAKNESS IN THE CLOSET,
BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS,
DESPITE YOUR BEST EFFORTS,
YOUR WEAKNESS GETS BEYOND YOUR GUARD AND ENDS UP IN FRONT OF PEOPLE YOU DON’T WANT TO SHOW IT TO.
AND WHEN IT DOES THAT WHAT THEY CALL A WRONG.
AND THAT’S WHEN YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO LOVE YOU
WHEN YOU FAIL,
LOVE YOU WHEN YOU DON’T DO IT RIGHT,,
LOVE YOU WHEN YOU COME SO SHORT, LOVE YOU ANYHOW.
KEEP LOOKING DOWN YOUR NOSE AT PEOPLE,
KEEP THINKING YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHER FOLK,
YOU BETTER LEARN TO TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT FOR YOU
NEVER KNOW ,
DON’T BURN ALL YOUR BRIDGES………..
THE BRIDGE YOU BURN MAY BE THE ONE YOU NEED TO GET YOU OVER.
AGAPE IS FOR FORGIVING AND FORGIVING IS HARD.
WHEN YOU HURT ME, MY INSTINCT IS TO PROTECT MYSELF.
WHEN YOU’VE BEEN HIT IN THE HEART…………… YOU BECOME DEFENSIVE.
AGAPE SAYS I HAVE TO LEARN TO LOVE YOU EVEN WHEN YOU
ARE NOT ALWAYS PLEASANT.
TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER WHEN ONE OF US IS HAVING A BAD DAY.
THERE IS SUCH A THING AS BAD DAYS. ANY MARRIED FOLK HERE? (SOME DAYS I WAKE UP GROUCHY……………….
DOESN’T MEAN YOU AREN’T LOVED, YOU ARE NOT CARED FOR,
FOLK DO SAY THINGS IN ANGER—LATER ON THEY REGRET.*****
I’M NOT PACKING MY BAG OVER ONE ARGUMENT,
LEAVING BECAUSE ONE PERSON DIDN’T SPEAK TO ME,
I RELEASE FROM THE WEIGHT OF COMPENSATING ME FOR THE WRONG.
I WILL TRUST GOD THAT HE WILL HEAL ME AS I STAY IN RELATIONSHIP……………………
I COMMIT MYSELF TO NURTURING YOU TO GOD’S GLORY.
EVERY PERSON OF GOD IS CALLED TO NURTURE EACH OTHER.
THAT INCLUDES DISCERNING WHERE PEOPLE ARE…………
AGAPE TAKES SERIOUSLY WHAT OTHER PEOPLE NEED.
JESUS TOOK A TOWEL TO WASH THE DISCIPLES FEET………….
HE ASSUMES THE POSITION OF A SERVANT…………
HE LOVED THEM BEYOND THE REALITY OF THEIR CONDITION.
LOVE STEPPED OVER REALITY. HE LOOKED BEYOND………….
IT GOES BEYOND WHAT IS SEEN TRUSTING THAT GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH WHAT YOU DO SEE.
WHAT YOU SEE MAY NOT LOOK LIKE MUCH, BUT KEEP LOVING.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE NOT PERFECT----I WISH THEYWERE
THEREFORE, IF I DON’T FEEL LIKE GIVING YOU WHAT
THIS LOVE FUNCTIONS OUT OF THE REALITY OF TWO VIBRANT DYNAMICS.
AGAPE OPERATES AT IT’S MOST POTENT AND PROFOUND LEVEL WHEN FORCED TO FACE THE FAILURE OF OTHERS.
STRANGELY, AGAPE IS AT IT’S STRONGEST AND MOST FORCEFUL LEVESL WHEN IT HAS TO DEAL WITH THE FAILURES AND FRUSTRATIONS OF RELATIONSHIPS.
IT IS STRANGELY TRUE THAT THE PERSON WHO LIVES AND MANIFEST AGAPE WILL OFTEN SEE IT USED USEFULLY IN THE MOST INOPPORTUNE AND AWKWARD MOMENT.
AGAPE TENDS TO FUNCTION WELL AND AT IT’S BEST IN THE MIDST OF HOSTILITY.
IN THE MIDST OF HATRED, BROKENNESS, DIVISION.
YOU SEE THE LOVE OF GOD HAS A TENDENCY TO DO IT’S BEST WORK.
IT DOES IT’S BEST WORK WHEN THERE ARE CONDITIONS AND EVENTS WHICH CONTRADICT OR DISAGREE WITH IT’S PRESENCE IN THE MIDST.
ANOTHER THING ABOUT AGAPE THAT MAKES IT UNUSUAL AND OUTSTANDING IS THE FACT THAT IT DEMANDS THAT THERE BE A SPIRIT OF INCLUSIVENESS.
AGAPE NEVER STAMPS ANYONE EXEMPT OF EXCLUDED FROM IT’S LOVE.
STRANGELY, AT LEAST FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, AGAPE EMBRACES EVERYONE.
YOU CANNOT OPERATE OUT OF AGAPE AND CONSIDER ANYONE UNWORTHY OF YOUR LOVE AND YOUR APPRECIATION.
IN MARK 2:17
JESUS PUTS INTO WORDS THE INSIGHTFULNESS OF HIS MESSAGE TO MEN WHO ARE NOT YET READY TO FULLY GRASP IT, SAYS:
I DID NOT COME I DID NOT TAKE UPON MYSELF THE RESTRICTIONS OF HUMANITY, NOR THE LIMITATIONS OF BODILY EXISTENCE TO ARRIVE AT A PLACE WHERE I WOULD IGNORE SINNERS AND SHOW GOODWILL TO THE RIGHTEOUS.
I DID NOT COME TO CALL RESPECTABLE PEOPLE, BUT I COME TO CALL, TO INVITE INTIMATELY INTO MY PRESENCE THE OUTCAST.
THOSE WHO ARE WHOLE OR WELL, MATT.9: 12 “THEY THAT BE WHOLE NEED NOT A PHYSICIAN, BUT THEY THAT ARE SICK.
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED AND DECLARED BY THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM AS BEING UNWORTHY OF THE LOVE OF GOD,
I COME TO YOU.
THOSE WHO FAILURES ARE OBVIOUS TO THOSE AROUND YOU ,
I COME TO YOU.
THOSE WHO DOWNFALLINGS HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY DECLARED,
I COME TO YOU.
THOSE OF YOU WHO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE NOT PERFECT AND THAT YOU DO NOT DO WELL ALL THE TIME AND KNOW YOU ARE IN DESPARATE NEED OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
AND ASSISTANCE, I COME TO YOU.
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE BROKEN AND BEATEN, AND BATTERED BY THE REALITY OF YOUR OWN FAILURE AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN OF YOUR EXPERIENCE,
TAKE HEART, JESUS SAYS I HAVE NOT COME LOOKING FOR RESPECTABLE FOLK, TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFIRMED BY SOCIETY, ACCEPTED,
I COME TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNWORTHY.
IN CERTAIN STORES YOU WILL FIND A SECTION OF MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES.
THE TAGS ON THESE ITEMS WILL SOMETIME CARRY THE WORDS :”AS IS.”
THIS IS A POLITE WAY OF SAYING, THESE ARE DAMAGED GOODS.”
SOMETIMES THEY ARE CALLED SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR.
THE STORE IS ISSUING YOU FAIR WARNING:
THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT OF SOMETHINGS-GONE- WRONG.
YOU ARE GOING TO FIND A FLAW HERE: A STAIN THAT WON’T COME OUT; A ZIPPER THAT WON’T ZIP; A BUTTON THAT WON’T BUTTON—THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM.
THESE ITEMS ARE NOT NORMAL.
THEY HAVE FLAWS IN THEM, SO WHEN YOU FIND THEM—AND YOU WILL FIND THEM—DON’T COME WHINING TO US,
FOR THERE IS A RULE WHEN DEALING WITH THIS KIND OF MERCHANDISE---
NO REFUNDS, NO RETURNS, NO EXCHANGES.
IF YOU LOOKING FOR PERFECTION, YOU WALKED DOWN THE WRONG AISLE.
SO REMEMBER IF YOU WANT THIS ITEM, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT AS-IS
WHEN YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE, YOU ARE IN THE AS-IS AISLE OF THE UNIVERSE.
EVERY PERSON COMES WITH A TAG ATTACHED—THERE IS A FLAW HERE—AND WHEN YOU FIND IT AND YOU WILL FIND IT.
JUST GET CLOSE TO SOMEBODY
REMEMBER EVERYBODY COMES AS=IS.
REMEMBER IT IS ONLY THE GRACE OF GOD UPON US THAT MAKES US WORTHY OF ANYTHING.
JESUS STANDS ON THE BRINK OF CONFRONTING A PLACE CALLED CALVARY.
GOOD AND EVIL WILL COLLIDE IN A BATTLE FOR THE SOULS AND SALVATION OF HUMANITY.
JESUS PREPARES TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.
AND WHILE HE PREPARES HIMSELF FOR DEATH,
HE HAS DISCIPLES WHO ARE ACTING AND OPERATING IN THE SPIRIT OF DIVISION.
ISN’T IT INTERESTING THE LORD IS GETTING READY TO GIVE HIMSELF ON THE ALTAR CALLED CALVARY
AND HERE ARE HIS DISCIPLES FUSSING AND FEUDING OVER WHO WILL SIT IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY WHEN HE COMES INTO HIS KINGDOM.
WORRYING ABOUT SEATS IN THE KINGDOM, INSTEAD OF WORRYING AQBOUT THE KINGDOM COMING INTO REALITY.
THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS: IN TOO MANY OF OUR CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, IN TOO MANY OF HOMES WE SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ARGUING OVER POWER, INFLUENCE, AND CONTROL.
IN STEAD OF UNDERSTANDING IF GOD DOESN’T GUIDE THE SHIP IT WILL SURELY SINK.
OBSERVING HIS DISCIPLES, JESUS REALIZES HE MUST DO SOMETHING SO AWKWARD FOR THE MOMENT,
UNTIL IT BECOMES A CONTRADICTION IN THEIR EYES OF HIS POSITION AND STANDING IN THE WORLD.
AND ON THE OTHER HAND IT BECOMES A CONDEMNATION OF THEIR BEHAVIOR.
THEY ARE SITTING THERE NOT SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER.
ARMS FOLDED, ROLLING THEIR EYES AND ACTING IN A MANNER SO INCONSISTENT WITH THE WILL AND THE PURPOSE AND THE WORD AND THE WORK OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
HE DOES SOMETHING IN SILENCE THAT SPEAKS
LOUDLY FOR HIS CHARACTER.
WHILE THEY SIT THERE AT THE TABLE OF FELLOWSHIP, THE TABLE OF THE PASSOVER, A MEAL INTENDED TO DECLARE LOVE AND COMPASSION, A MEAL INTENDED TO CONVEY ONENESS, LOVE AND COMPASSION, AND RESPECT AND REVERENCE. THEY SHARE THE TABLE BUT NOT THE SAME SPIRIT. SHARING A MEAL BUT NOT SHARING COMMUNICATION.
JESUS IS FORCED TO DO SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO ANYBODY BUT HIM.
HE PUSHES BACK FROM THE TABLE.
THE ONLY WAY TO BRING HEALING AND RESTORATION INTO A ROOM FILLED WITH PEOPLE NOT ENGAGED IN THE RIGHT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP—BEING GOVERNED BY THE WRONG SPIRIT –THE LORD IS FORCED TO PUSH BACK FROM THE TABLE.
SYMBOLIC OF THE ACT HE IS ABOUT TO ENGAGE IN.
SYMBOLIC OF THE DEEP ABIDING LOVE GOD HAS FOR US.
THAT GOD WOULD TAKE THE ONE WHO IS LORD AND SAVIOR,
SAVIOR AND LORD, MASTER AND MESSIAH.
ASSUME THE ADDRESS OF A SLAVE.
HE DOESN’T SAY, I’M THE GREATEST!
HE GRABS A TOWEL, REACHES FOR THE WASH BASIN AND
POURS WATER AND
BEGINS TO ENGAGE IN THE MINISTRY OF THE MINISCULE.
AND MENIAL—TEDIOUS AND TASTELESS TASK OF WASHING FEET.
THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THE EGOS IN THIS ROOM IS TO DO SOMETHING SO UNIQUE---SOMETHING THAT WILL SHAKE THEIR CONSCIOUSNESS. SELF-GIVING LOVE-CAME NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE
I WILL ASSUME THAT WHICH IS BENEATH ME.
I WILL DO FOR THEM THAT WHICH THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER TO RESPOND LOVINGLY TO THE NEED
THEY SIT THERE AMAZED—YOU ARE THE MASTER—YOU ARE THE TEACHER---YOU’RE THE BOSS
WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE HIM DO IT?
THAT HE COULD DO WHAT OTHERS NEVER CONSIDERED DOING THINKING IT TOO TEDIOUS AND TASTELESS.
AGAPE IS MUCH DEEPER THAN JUST HUGGING SOMEBODY AND SAYING YOU LOVE THEM.NOT JUST SWEET TALK
DILGENT LABOR—SINCERE WORK—NOT HALF-HEARTED
WE’VE BEEN INVITED INTO A FELLOWSHIP OF LOVE-WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER—IN COMMUNITY
NOT TO TOLERATE DISCORD—NOT TO CONTRIBUTE TO IT.
IT’S ALLOWING MY LIFE TO BECOME AN INSTRUMENT IN MEETING THE NEEDS IN YOUR LIFE.
IT’S A LOT DEEPER THAN SHOWING UP ON SUNDAY AND SPECIAL DAYS.
FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTERS BIND OURSELVES TO EACH OTHER
AGAPE MEANS BEING VULNERABLE—BEEN HURT…NO MATTER HOW SIMPLE THE SERVICE……….
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU BEEN HURT----AGAPE
JESUS HAD NO EGO PROBLEM.