Following God Series
Delivered at Harlem Reformed Church, 2013

Recap

Images of God (Teaching 1 of 5): Jesus gives us a perfect Image of the Invisible God. | Beholding Jesus: The Perfect Image of God (Teaching 2 of 5): Jesus is revealed to humble hearts through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. | Jesus’ View on the Bible (Teaching 3 of 5): Jesus affirms the O.T. and N.T. together as THE authority in everything they proclaim.

  • 1 John 4:8,16 – God is love.
  • Isaiah 9:6; John 8:58; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; etc. – Jesus is God.
  • Thus, Jesus is the definition of love!  We learn love from Jesus, as we study the Bible…

From Bible: Rom. 12:9; 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Psalm 97:10; Prov. 3:11-12 – Love: 1. Hates evil, 2. Disciplines, 3. Is truthful, 4. Is filled with grace, humility, and forgiveness

From considering Jesus – Love: Hates evil (Heb. 1:8-9); Disciplines (Rev. 3:19); Is filled with grace and truth (Jn. 1:14); Is humble (2 Cor. 10:1); Comes to save His people’s sin (Matt. 1:21)

From watching Jesus in action – Love:

  • Calls for repentance (Mt. 4:17; Mk. 1:15)
  • Values people; urges a measure of kindness and generosity to all (Lk. 6:35; 10:37; 12:6-7; 14:13)
  • Came for sinners seeking salvation (Lk. 5:32; 7:34; 19:10; Jn. 3:16) 
  • Forgives sinners, heals the sick, frees prisoners, delivers the oppressed, ministers to the poor (Mt. 9:1-8; Lk. 4:18; 5:20; 7:48; 9:11; 13:11-12; 17:19; 23:34; Jn 4:49-50; 8:36; etc.)
  • Weeps and grieves over death (Jn. 11:33-35)
  • Provides food for the hungry (Mt. 14:13-21; Mk. 6:30-44; Lk. 9:10-17; Jn. 6:1-14)
  • Came to serve, not be served (Mk. 10:45; Jn. 13:4-5; 21:9-13; Jn. 19:27)
  • Desires to give peace and joy to His followers (Jn. 14:27; 15:11; 16:33)
  • Rebuked cities (Mt. 11:20); called His generation, “faithless and perverse,” (Mt. 17:17).
  • Made demands (Mt. 28:19-20) and strict charges to His followers (Mk. 16:14); rebuked them (Mk. 16:14), and said things like: “You of little faith;” “Get behind Me, Satan!  You are an offense to Me… you are not mindful of the things of God;” (Mt. 14:31; 16:23).  
  • Offended religious people who trusted in themselves (Mt. 15:12), saying things like: “You think evil;” “Evil and adulterous;” “Blind;” “Hypocrites;” “Brood of vipers!” “Son of hell;” “You err;” “They will receive the greater condemnation;”  (Mt. 15:12; 9:4; 12:39; 22:18; 12:34; 23:15; 22:29; Mk. 12:40)
  • Physically forced people out of God’s temple (Mt. 21:12-17; Jn. 2:13-17)
  • Picture: Imagine a father who purely loves.  He takes care of his children’s needs and more, while also disciplining them when they go astray.  He shows kindness to others he encounters, but does not care and provide for them as he does his own children.  And finally, he sternly confronts and rebukes any people that would pose as a threat to his children in misleading, hurting, or killing them.
  • Conclusion: Love extends a measure of mercy and grace to all, but extends a much fuller degree of mercy and grace to those who recognize their need for Him and surrender to Him (this includes correcting and rebuking us).  Love opposes those who are self-sufficient and reject Him (strongly opposing them if they claim to follow God, and are leading others astray)…The climax of God’s love is shown in 1 act that would forever change the course of history…Stay tuned for next teaching.