Wounded, But Still in Love

In this season of Celebration

There is miraculous activity, angelic visitations & supernatural births

There is also demonic opposition to kill the promise

Whatever we allow, is what Heaven will release – Matt 16:19

Matt 16:15–16

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The Church is built on Revelation (the Christ) & Relationship (the Son)

Relationships produces Growth

The Connectedness is to each other – not just God

Eph 4:16

From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

The relationships must be secured in love

Love for one another the testimony of our relationship with Him – John 13:35

But, we have an enemy who works to hinder growth

Agitates & strains relationships

Relationships produce our Greatest Wounds  

Once someone is wounded, it’s hard to win them back

Prov 18:19

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Wounds cause us to live in Isolation

ex. David in a Cave – driven there by wounds in Church relationships

Danger: Wounds can cause us to live in self-deception

1 John 4:20

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Wounded people wound other people

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Even though I have been Wounded, I must still be in Love

·       With God

·       With His Word – Ps 119:165 (KJV)

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Irony: if I love God & His Word, I have to love you, too

1 John 4:11–12

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

So, even if you offend me, my love for God & my love for His Word

          Keeps me from disconnecting or from separation

I know I’m supposed to love you, but I don’t like you…

I can only fulfill the Law of Christ in Relationship!

Gal 5:14

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Not simply saying "I love you," but Active Love:  Gal 6:1–2

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

It doesn’t matter how spiritual I think I am

I am only spiritual to the degree that I can relate to my brothers & sisters

Here is the Key:  Eph 3:17 & 19

Being rooted and grounded in love… 19 may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Matt 13:20–21  

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he (is offended) falls away.

The Bible acknowledges challenges to Relationships – it’s not always easy

·       forgive                       

·       forbear  

·       be kind  

·       be hospitable without grumbling – 1 Pet 4:9

·       don’t bite & devour one another – Gal 5:15

Wounded, But I Refuse the Offense, because I’m in Love