1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1

LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

2

that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

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Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

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Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

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22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

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LET US LOVE

Rev. Mark A. Medina June 5, 2016

Christians commit to love others and to receive love from those who give freely. We are to remain confident that God loves us unconditionally. The acceptance of God’s love into our lives commits us to a way of life that challenges us daily to be impartial. The way of a Christian is the way of love. A passage from another part of First John 4 verses 19 thru 21 guides us in the way of relating to others. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. There are four types of Greek words for love in the bible which give us different ways to experience it. One of the types is phileo. The phileo love refers to an affectionate, warm and tender platonic love. It makes you desire friendship with someone. The Pennsylvania city of Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly love.

Another one is storge. The storge love is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that members of the family have for each other; or the love that friends feel for each other. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive.

The third type is eros. Eros love is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings, or simply an emotional and sexual love. This is most obvious in a new relationship.

And the fourth type is agape. Agape love is an unconditional love that sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults. It’s the type of love that everyone strives to have for their fellow human beings. The translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love demonstrated by one’s behavior towards another person. It is a committed and chosen love.

Agape love is selfless, sacrificial and we see this in Jesus Christ. He died for our sins. He sacrificed his life for you and me. We constantly remember what God did in love for us by sending the Savior to a sinful world. 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [John 3:16]

There is a story from an anonymous source about a “certain medieval monk that announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush

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that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.” The ultimate sacrifice of love from God is Jesus Christ.

My friends, we live in a community of faith that is constantly pulled by a world to love this or to love that, and to drive a wedge between people. Jesus came to you and me to extend the ever loving arms of God to all people regardless of who they are, who we are. He came to break downs barriers between him and humanity so that true love can be alive and realized.

Our lives must be about love and not hate; to care and not degrade, kindness and not hurtful words and actions. Love must win in this world and in this environment.

I often wonder what Jesus would do or say if he came back today. What would he say as he listened to the roar of political, media and social messages? What would he do in the face of violence and mass killings? What would he say to the families that were in homes full of abuse, deceit, and addiction? What would he say? What would he do?

My dear brothers and sisters, maybe just maybe we must learn anew the love of God and the gift of the sacrificial Son who died for us because of love.

First John chapter 4 verses 7 thru 12 rings in our hearts today as we learn to just love. Within this passage, you will find 15 usages of the Greek word agape. As always, let us love as Jesus did.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

There was a missionary named Dick Hillis who wrote a living illustration called Love is a Costly Thing and it goes like this. “She was lying on the ground. In her arms she held a tiny baby girl. As I put a cooked sweet potato into her outstretched hand, I wondered if she would live until morning. Her strength was almost gone, but her tired eyes acknowledged my gift. The sweet potato could help so little -- but it was all I had.

Taking a bite she chewed it carefully. Then, placing her mouth over her baby's mouth, she forced the soft warm food into the tiny throat. Although the mother was starving, she used the entire potato to keep her baby alive. Exhausted from her effort, she dropped her head on the ground and closed her eyes. In a few minutes the baby was asleep. I later learned that during the night the mother's heart stopped, but her little girl lived.

Love is a costly thing. God in his love for us (and for a lost world) "spared not his own son" to tell the world of his love. Love is costly, but we must tell the world at any cost. Such love is costly. It costs parents and sons and daughters. It costs the missionary life itself. In his love for Christ the missionary often must give up all to make the savior known. If you will let your love for Christ, cost you something, the great advance will be made together.

3

Remember, love is a costly thing. Do you love enough?” Friends, you and I are to reflect daily on how God’s unconditional love guides our lives, our thinking, our words, and our behaviors. You and I must check in daily with God to see where we are in our relationship with the Creator and to be loved. God is love. Let us love unconditionally the way God and Jesus do for us. Let us love with open arms and caring hearts. Let us love with all of our being. Let us love and live love. Let us live in charity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scriptural Support Psalm 34 Praise for Deliverance from Trouble 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 9 O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the broken-hearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all. 20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken. 21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

4

22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. 1 John 4:7-12 God Is Love 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.