Summary: The first evidence of Christ Living within your life is by bearing the fruit of Love. There are many types of love, but the love Christ desires his followers to abide by is Agape Love. What would this look like in the life of a Christian and what are the effects of having the love of Christ in your life?
Key Scripture (Galatians 13: 1-8a): If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
Antioch's 2020 Theme - A Quick Review
Theme for Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in 2020: Knowing and Understanding the Christ in us
Key Takeaway from last week: If you have become a Born Again child of God, there should be evidence in your life that Christ lives in you.
Supporting Scripture (Galatians 2:20): I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Point of Reflection: When you look at yourself, is there Evidence Christ lives in you? When others look at you, do they see Christ living in you? When people attend your church, do they see Christ living in your church?
The Different Types of Love
- When the Spirit comes into your life, you will start to show on the outside the change that is happening on the inside. The Bible refers to this evidence as fruits of the Spirit.
- The first fruit you will demonstrate is LOVE
- There are four different types of love the Bible talks about
- Philios Love - Friendship love
- Eros Love - Romantic love
- Storge Love - Family bonding love
- Agape Love - Unconditional "God" love
Key Scripture (Galatians 13:1-3): If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
Point of Reflection: God loved us so, that even when we were sinners Christ still died for us. Think about the type of love you have experienced. How has the love God has shown differ from the type of love man has shown? Have you taken time to thank God for the love he has shown you?
How to Demonstrate Agape Love
What is Agape Love?
- The text for today is referring to Agape Love. God wants Christians to have unconditional love for others
- So what does the Bible tell us Agape Love looks like?
- Love is kind
- Love is patient
- Love does not envy
- Love does not boast
- Love is not proud
- Love does not dishonor others
- Love is not self-seeking
- Love is not easily angered
- Love is not jealous
- Love is not arrogant
Key Scripture (Galatians 13: 4-8a): Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
Point of Reflection: God is Love. Since we as Christians are an extension of God, we should have evidence of the Love of Christ in our lives. How do you show love to others?
The Effects of Agape Love
What happens when Agape Love is shown?
- Love will unite and not divide
- Love will be able to look beyond faults and see the good in everyone and everything
- Love will not keep track of people's wrongdoings
- Love will put down gossip and rejoice in the truth
- Love will pray for one another
- Love is so important as a fruit of the spirit, it lasts forever
Key Scriptures (John 13: 34-35): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (Ephesians 1: 15-16): For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Point of Reflection: When I look at myself and when others look at me, are the positive effects of Agape Love seen in my life? How can I help others see and understand the Love of Christ?
Call to Action: Observe different areas of your life over the next week. Are there any areas of that do not demonstrate the Love of Christ? Practice showing Agape Love in areas of your life that have been difficult, then notice the effects of showing Agape Love. Did it make the situation better?
