“ I love You” Oh Really? Jesus asked Peter, if he loved “agapao” Him. but Peter answered “Yes Lord, you know that I love “phileo” you (John 21:15) Alpha & Omega CWC

Overview Love Definitions Dispensations of Love Love Characteristics Hebrew Greek Dispensations of Love Relationship between Old Testament, Gospels, New Testament Love Characteristics Scriptural References

Hebrew Definitions Most of the time when we think of love definitions we go immediately to the Greek words. However, the Hebrew language has two main words for love, “Ahab” and “Hesed” Ahab Love in the Ahab sense is the closest to the English meaning and is usually refer to the love between people. Human love for another, includes family, and natural human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, etc… … of people toward God Hesed (click to read more) In Hebrew hesed refers to the kind of love that is promised and is owed, a mutual exchange of affection and loyalty based on mutual obligations, love formed in the bonds of covenant or marriage. Hesed is not so much a feeling as it is a decision of will. It is never used to mean love of people toward God.

So, why did I choose this passage? … Next slide Love in Creation Genesis 2:15-18 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. So, why did I choose this passage? … Next slide

Love in Creation (cont) From the beginning God loved (Hesed) man Man is created in God’s image and likeness, Therefore just as God has the desire to “create”, in a similar fashion man has the innate desire to “procreate” God saw this and knew there would be a place inside man that could only be completed by a help meet “suitable” for him. Like God, man needed to express Hesed, not just Ahab. This was a void that no animal could fill. God recognized and rectified the dilemma by creating Woman, even though He knew the troubles and pains that lay ahead. This is a great view of God’s Hesed. Parents experience this with our children We work to create a healthy eco-system for our family, but when it is time for them to “procreate” (leave and cleave), this is a void we can not and should not try to fill because like Adam and every animal that God brought to him to name… we are not a suitable help meet!

Greek Definitions Phileo Love Storgy Love Eros Love This type of love is that friends have for one another.  A deep, abiding friendship… much like that of King David and Jonathan, King Saul’s son.  As a minimum it should be the type of love that exists between church members. Storgy Love This kind of love is what a sister and brother for one another and the kind that they have for their siblings or parents/relatives. Eros Love This is an intimate love that is about sex. You can probably see that is the root word for erotic… that which occurs between a man and a woman and there is nothing sinful about the “eros” love, as long as it is within the confines of marriage. (Song of Solomon)

Greek Definitions Agape Love This is the Greek word for love at its ultimate. It is the most self-sacrificing love that there is. This type of love is the love that God has for His own children. This type of love is what Jesus Christ displayed on the cross. In John 3:16 it is written that “God so loved (agapao) the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” If a husband and father had a choice to have his family and his children die or for him to die and he chose to die for them. That is similar to what “agape” love is, but God’s love is even greater than this.

Hebrew (Old Testament) Pattern of Love HESED GOD AHAB Hebrew (Old Testament) HESED AHAB Eternity (Revelation) Jesus Sacrifice Mercy Agape Phileo Eros Storgy Equipping Holy Spirit Grace The Epistles The Gospels Greek (Book of Acts)

Dispensations of Love Jesus the perfect mediator, provided the bridge between “mans love (Ahab) and God’s Love (Hesed)”. The Holy Spirit enables us to maintain the balance of each type of love that will lead us to Agape Paul using the Greek definitions of love provides instructions on how we should continually mature/perfect our Love walk. (God’s Grace and Mercy still covers us when we fall short) John in Revelation captures the completion or fulfillment of love Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

Perfecting Love Imbalances in the other love types hinders our maturity toward experiencing Agape Love Eros Leads to pornography or unhealthy self-denial (1Cor 7:9, 1Tim 4:3) Phileo Envy, jealousy, dissentions or low self-esteem or depression(Romans 1:29, 1 Cor 3:3, 2 Cor 12:20, Gal 5:21-26) Storgy Inter-family rivalries or inability to “Cleave and Leave”, could lead to incestuous relationships (2 Samuel 13)

Love Characteristics Discipline Obedience Unselfishness (Hebrews 12:6, Rev 3:19, Proverbs 3:11-12; 12, Acts 17:11) Obedience (John 14: 15-30, John 15:12,17; 1 John 5:3, 2John 1:6, ) Unselfishness (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, John 3:16, Ephesian 5:25 )

Thought Questions Does God Love unconditionally? Does He command us to love unconditionally? Are we commanded to love unconditionally or sacrificially or both? I content that we are to love sacrificially as God gave His Son sacrificially. However, this sacrifice was not done with reckless abandon. There was purpose, motive, an eternal condition… That we all come into the fullness of the knowledge of Christ! Luke 14:32 – 33, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 The choice of Salvations is predicated on conditions (Luke 14:26-33)

So… What are our Motives? As I explored the scriptures (see next two slides) I found that there are a lot of conditional statements used (if, then, but, as, etc). “If you Love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) “Love thy neighbor AS thyself” (Mathew 22:39) “If my people who are called by My Name…. Then will I hear from Heaven” (1 Chronicles 7:14) "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love (2 John 1:6

Conditional Scriptures Exodus 16:28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? Exodus 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Leviticus 22:31 “Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and perform them: I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:3 ‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, Deuteronomy 5:10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! 1 Kings 3:14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 1 Kings 6:12 “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. 1 Kings 9:6 But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them,

Conditional Scriptures (cont) 1 Kings 11:38 Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. 2 Kings 17:13 Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.” 1 Chronicles 29:19 And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.” Nehemiah 1:9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ Psalm 89:31 If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! Daniel 9:4 And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

So… What are our Motives? Perhaps the more attainable action should be to focus on what the conditions of our love is centered around… Godly conditions are “I Win - You Win” (John 3:16) Carnal conditions are “I Win – You Lose” (Las Vegas) The focus should be on the intent of our conditions or what we have purposed in our hearts

Scriptural References on Love

Old Testament Love Verses Exodus 34:6: "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...” Leviticus 19:18: “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Numbers 14:18: "The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished...” Deuteronomy 6:5: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 30:6: "The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” 1 Chronicles 16:34: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 6:4: "Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Psalm 25:6: "Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Psalm 25:7: "Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.” Psalm 33:22: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.”

Old Testament Love Verses Psalm 36:5: "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 40:11: "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. Psalm 42:8: "By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 69:13: "But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.” Psalm 69:16: "Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me” Psalm 85:7: "Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.” Psalm 86:5: "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 94:18: "When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me.” Psalm 107:31: "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.” Psalm 119:64: "The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.” Psalm 130:7:"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” Psalm 138:8: "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”

Old Testament Love Verses Proverbs 3:12: "...because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Isaiah 54:10: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you” Jeremiah 31:3: "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Lamentations 3:22: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Hosea 3:1: "The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods...” Joel 2:13: "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2: "...you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

New Testament Love Verses Matthew 5:44-46: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?...” Matthew 22:36-39: “'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'.” Luke 11:42: “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 14:15: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 15:12: " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

New Testament Love Verses Romans 5:5: "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 8:38-39 :"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 13:8-10: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 1 Corinthians 8:1: "...Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

New Testament Love Verses 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

New Testament Love Verses 1 Corinthians 16:14: "Do everything in love.” Galatians 5:6: "...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Ephesians 3:17-19: "...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Hebrews 12:6: "...the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

New Testament Love Verses 1 John 3:14: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 1 John 3:18: "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 4:7-8: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:16: "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:20: "If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” 2 John 1:6: "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” Revelation 3:19: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.