Cross through the Cliché
Sermon Notes
May 11, 2025
Outline summary of message: "Love like God" (Luke 6, Luke 10)
"Love the Sinner. Hate the Sin."
Where did this come from?
Origin: Augustine's Letter 211, written in A.D. 424: Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum, “With love for mankind and hatred for sins.”
Also, “hate the sin and not the sinner…” (Mahatma Ghandi)
Jesus’ message: He loved all people. He also called out, and challenged sins
He framed loving God in the context of also loving one's neighbor.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Jesus also said we should love our enemies.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
We are all sinners!
“...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
Understanding the Bible with the Bible’s Help
Illustration of a blueprint
The Bible is one unified revelation about God from God
What does the Bible say about God’s love
“But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
What does the Bible say about what God hates
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)
“But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.” (Isaiah 59:2)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.” (Zechariah 8:16-17)
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 7:37)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:9-10)
Application: Place in the Big Picture of God's Story
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
Through the cross, God sees Christ’s work in us, and not our own works. God hates sin. As he sees us, and Christ within us, In response, we love by acknowledging our sins, acknowledging our need of God to rescue us and change us
Embrace being known, loved and challenge in community with God's Word
Questions to consider:
Is my reaction towards a person coming from God’s love?
Is the action or choice I am concerned about sin?
Am I seeking to judge a person by what I want to say or do?
If not, what is my ultimate goal?