Marriage and Agape Love Matthew 5 43 48

Marriage and Agape Love Matthew 5: 43 -48

Text—Matthew 5: 43 -48 43 You heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. “ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Looking at the Text • • Strange concepts when first read How can you feel the same way toward enemy and friends? Our responses are almost always governed by our feelings No man feels the same toward his enemies and his friends Yet, Jesus said, “Love your enemies” The problem is a failure to understand agape love of enemy Agape love is governed by spirituality over the fleshly Feelings govern the will of the ungodly, His will governs us

Five Greek Words—Two Concepts • The Greeks had five words for love, we have only one - Eros involves sexual desire (word not in the NT) - Strorge is the natural love families have - Epithumia is the desire to be with another, but not always sexual - Phileo is the love growing out of feelings - Agape is the love governed by actions • The world’s concept of love is feelings = unhappiness • Jesus implies that others treat us the way we treat them • Successful marriages = when both practice agape

Agape Love In Your Marriage • • To understand agape consider arrange marriages Agape love is commanded by God (1 John 4: 11 -12; 19 -21) Agape love always see the best in other and their actions Agape love shows respect for others value and values Agape love is selfless and not self-centered Agape love can grow into the deepest feelings Agape love is NOT optional

Manifesting Agape in Marriages • Agape love is manifested in every action in marriage • Agape love is manifested in the way we speak – Eph. 4: 31 -32 • Agape love is manifested in the way we respond - 1 Cor. 13

Press On—Fill Your Home with Agape God created marriage to mirror Christ and the church Does your marriage mirror Christ’s love for the church Husbands are especially told to agape their wives—Eph. 5 Wives are especially told to reverence their husbands What mistakes have you made; what changes should you make; ask forgiveness and make sure you change • Agape is not optional; you cannot agape God if you do not agape your mate— 1 John 4: 19 -21 • • •

You Can “Marry” Jesus Today • Believe John 3: 16 • Repent Acts 17: 30 • Confess Faith in Him Rom. 10: 10 • Be Baptized Into Him Gal. 3: 27 Added to His Church and become part of His Bride • Be Faithful Rev. 2: 10