Current Events State of the Union
THEME: 2011: The Church that is Worshipping and Praising God on Purpose 2012: The Church that is Glowing, Going, and Growing on Purpose
Tonight s Focus: Love in Worship
Upon completing this particular lesson, the student will have a greater appreciation for role that love plays within the context of worship. As a by-product of one heightened appreciation, they will be encouraged to both demonstrate and identify love towards God, His people, and the world at large.
In the words of Tina Turner, What s Love Got to Do With It..." We who are the child of God have to understand that Love has everything to do with it. According to John, Love is one of the defining principles of discipleship. (John. 13: 34f.) Quote: Chapman stated in his book titled, "The Five Languages of Love" that by and large "love is a choice."
1. Eros sexual 2. Phileo- brotherly 3. Agape: unconditional At this point, we shall primarily deal with Phileo and Agape for our discussion tonight.
Definition: Based upon I Cor. 13: 4-8, 13 which provides a number of agape love's characteristics and thereby defines the term in question (also see. Rm. 13:10)
According to this scripture, Love is: KJV NIV Message suffereth long - Patient 4. Love never gives up. And is kind love is kind Love cares more for vaunteth not itself Doesn't Envy others than for self. is not puffed up Doesn't Boast Love doesn t want doesn't not behave unseemly; It is not rude what it doesn t have seeketh not her own Is Not self-seeking Love doesn t strut, is not easily provoked Is not easily angered doesn t have a swelled thinketh no evil Keeps no records of wrongs head. rejoiceth not in iniquity doesn't delight in evil, but truth 5. Doesn t force itself on beareth all things always protects others. Isn t always me believeth all things always trust first. Doesn t fly off the endureth all things always hopes handle. never fails always preserves 6 Doesn t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 8 Love never dies.
Note for the above passage: those who are easily angered/ quick tempered/ hot heads/ quick to fly off the handle manifest a characteristic of being "emotional unstable." Henri Nouwen said in "Here and Now" that having no hope is a fatalism. Thus, for many of us who have lost our hope in God willingness to change our situation have adopted what I would tag as a "fatalistic theology."
Agape is generally understood to be the love of God towards man Phileo: one of the more important aspects of phileo is the fact that it allows for a certain degree of disconnection in relationship, which leaves room/space for demonic activity One of the reasons that there is a deficit with reference to our stewardship, discipleship and Kingdom building is not because we don t love God, but rather because we have chosen to love God the wrong way. Said differently, we love God in a Phileo way instead of in an Agape way
As we examine this word, we find that Phileo is not problematic when used by God or Jesus. However, it has the tendency to become problematic when executed and used by man/mankind/ humanity.
Based upon various textual Support Phileo Love allows for a certain degree of disconnection in relationship, which in turn leave room/ the door open for, among other things,: Egoism Pretense Betrayal Weaker Ministry Commitment This is particularly relevant for reference to Worship, Evangelism, Discipleship, Stewardship, & Kingdom Building
Luke 20:46 - Here, Luke uses "Phileo" with reference to those who value appearance of regalia and power, position of popularity and status among others. Thus, Phileo leaves room for egoism, pretense by way of appearances, and the desire to be popular with people (i.e. a people pleaser).
Matt. 6:5 - This verse speak of "Phileo" within the context of those who are hypocrites. ("hypocrites" is the Greek word for "actors") Thus, this verse gives us a notion of Phileo making room for pretense.
Matt 26: 48 - The story of Judas. In the original language, when the text say that Judas both planned to betray and did betray Jesus with a kiss, it actually use the word phileo. so, when the English trans. say he betrayed Jesus with a kiss, the original Greek actually says that he betrayed him with "phileo"
John 21: 15-17 - In these verse, we find Jesus asking Peter what type/ kind of Love did he have for him. Jesus asked him twice if he "agape" loved him, but each time Peter said he "Phileo" loved him. Finally, Jesus asked him if he "Phileo" loved him and he basically said, 'that what I've been telling you What is interesting her is the fact that each time Peter told him that he "Phileo" loved him instead of "Agape" loved him, Jesus told him to feed his sheep.