10 January 2021 (am) – Galatians 5:16-26 – LOVE
 | Andy Bruins preaching from Galatians on Sunday 10th January 2021. |
Love heads the list of attributes that describe the Fruit of the Spirit.
But the way we commonly use the word “love” is very different from the love of God that ought to characterise a child of God.
The love of the world around us is largely based on feelings (an infatuation) and it is rarely given without requiring something in return.
But the love of God is expressed through an act of the will, not just when we feel like it. It is a love even for the unlovely, is acts when it sees a need and it is sacrificial, even to the point of laying down one’s life.
We cannot grow this kind of love by ourselves. But God grows it in His children as every day they remember His love for them, trust Him and put themselves out in loving service for one another.
Q How is love portrayed in popular culture? (Give some examples).
Q How is this different from the way that God loves?
Read 1 John 3:10-18 and 1 John 4:7-21
Q What does John hold up as the most vivid example of God’s love? (3:16, 4:10-11) Why should this be a powerful motivation for us to love each other?
Q What examples does John give of the absence of love?
Q What do you think are some counterfeit versions of love that we might be tricked into thinking are the real thing?
Q How do we grow this part of “the fruit”? What practical action will you take?
