A Rose Among Thorns

What Does it Mean to Love Well?

What Is Love?

Love is a rose but you better not pick it,Only grows when it's on the vineHandful of thorns and you know you've

missed itLose your love when you say the word,

"Mine."

                                            - Neil Young

What Is Love?

1."Pagan" love. Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

What Is Love?

1."Pagan" love. 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

What Is Love?

2."Neighborly " love. Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'"

What Is Love?

Find a need and meet it.

What Is Love?

3."Enemy" love. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, …

What Is Love?

4."God’s" love. Matthew 5:43 ...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.

What Is Love?

4."God’s" love. 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

What Is Love?

• Not deserved. • Demonstrated. • Redemptive.• Relational.• Committed.

What Is Love?

1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.

What Is Love?

1 John 4:19 We love, because he first loved us.

What Is Love?

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.