Sermon Snippet – Love’s Labor Found
INTRODUCTION – Literature geeks like me recall Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour Lost. From the Bible, though, we find love’s labor. Let us begin in I Thessalonians 1:1-10.
1. LABOR EXPRESSES LOVE
Verse 3 includes the phrase “labour of love,” a statement that remains proverbial for a willingness to work as one expression of genuine love (“It was a labor of love”). The believers in Thessalonica no doubt spoke about and even sang about their love for Jesus (as we do in our worship services and at other times), a love that reached out to others. These Christians became an example to other churches (note also “work of faith” and “patience of hope” – patience is hard work!). I was raised in a family that was not given to public displays of affection, but we did work together and for each other. My fondest memories of childhood involve helping my Grandmother Jepson in small ways on the farm. Today, nothing gives me greater joy than successfully completing a task for my mother (for my wife, too, but she is far less dependent on me). When we labor in love, we are following the impeccable example of Jesus. In John 5:17, He responded to criticism of His healing of a disabled man on the Jewish Sabbath (our Saturday) with this concise but convicting statement: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” The religious leaders were correct in understanding that Jesus was making an absolute claim of full deity (something that every cult denies); however, their vicious anger was completely incorrect (verse 18). Because they refused to believe that Jesus is God the Son – despite His obvious fulfillment of prophecy and His miraculous works and words – they failed to appreciate that God is a worker. From Genesis and Creation to Revelation and an eternity in heaven, God has revealed His love through His labor. Because He is omnipotent, His labor does not fatigue Him, as ours does. However, if we are to grow in love, we must follow His example: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not [do not give up]. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). Our labor needs to express this love.
2. OUR LORD’S LABOR ON THE CROSS EXPRESSES THE GREATEST LOVE
I refer often to Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth [demonstrates] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Verse 10 adds that this pure love occurred not only while we were sinners but also when we were active “enemies” of God. We had nothing to offer to God; we could not help Him, make Him better, improve on His work, or advantage Him in any way. Because of Who He is, He does not need to be loved. We, however, need love, and Jesus wants to embrace us and enfold us in His “everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27, which we studied two weeks ago). Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” This general statement is absolutely true of the specific, saving love of Jesus. We can become conduits of this divine love into the lives of others: “And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). Our love cannot save people from their sins; only the love of Christ Jesus can accomplish salvation. However, in our interactions with each other, we are to love and forgive (without condoning or enabling sins) so that our fellowship is not broken. John 6:26-29 is a precise reminder that we cannot work for our salvation, for our Lord has done all of that labor of love.
CONCLUSION – “God is love” (I John 4:8b, 16b). Love is a core characteristic of God, one of His divine perfections. This love is tangible: in a real body, Jesus, fully human and fully God, died to deliver us from our sins. To speak about God’s love without emphasizing the Cross is to turn His love into nothing more than a pop song with an insipid tune and forgettable lyrics. Let us be certain to trust in Jesus for eternal life with Him in heaven, and let us labor to love – and love to labor.