Loving the Way Jesus Loves

Sermon handout

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 1, 2016

The Rev. Rob Hartley

 

 

What does it mean to love like Jesus loves?

Loving unconditionally                 John 4                The woman at the well

Loving the unlovable                     Luke 23:39-43   The criminal on the cross  

Loving the unlovely                  Matt 8:2-3          Jesus heals the leper

Loving compassionately            John 8:1-11       The woman in adultery

Loving sacrificially                   Matt 26:39        Jesus at Gethsemane

Loving when not loved in return  Matt 5:43-47     The Beatitude
                                                                 Luke 23:34       Jesus on the Cross

How can we ever hope to love the way Jesus has shown us?

John 14:25-26,

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you.  

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything…”

 

How can we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us to love?

1. By inviting Jesus to send His Spirit into our hearts.
2. By growing in our relationship with our loving Father.        
3. By immersing ourselves in the family of God, the crucible in which we learn to really love.
4. By praying, listening for God’s Holy Spirit before responding to others.
5. By letting God’s Holy Spirit transform us into vessels of Christ’s divine love to be poured out on those around us.