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Introduction
A Methodist always exercises his love to God by praying without ceasing, rejoicing always, and giving thanks in everything. But at the same time, this commandment is written in his heart: “The one who loves God loves his brother or sister also.”
So he loves his neighbor as himself. [Lev. 19:18] He loves every person as his own soul. His heart is full of love to all humankind, to every child of the Father of the spirits of all flesh.
Nothing stops his love, no matter whether he doesn’t know the person, or he knows the person is not the kind he approves of, or even if the person is one who repays hatred for his good-will.
He loves his enemies. [Matt. 5:44] He even loves the enemies of God, the evil and unthankful. And even if he is unable to physically do good to those who hate him, he never ceases to pray for them, even if they continue to spurn his love and wrong him and persecute him. —John Wesley’s The Character of a Methodist: Set in Modern Language by David Wentz
Who do we Love?
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” —Luke 10:25–28 (NLT) cf. Mark 12:28-31 and Matthew 22:34-40
29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. >
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” —Luke 10:29–37 (NLT)
Love Transforms
God Demonstrated True Love Through Jesus
Love is first something that we do before it is something that we feel
Acts of Compassion and Justic
Go Beyond the Sermon
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