The Will of God - Love Expressed
In this teaching, Kenny emphasizes that the practical application of God's Word begins with love, specifically the divine love of God, agape, which is unselfish, sacrificial, and perfect. He highlights that love must be genuine and unfeigned, not hypocritical, and that it is the Holy Spirit who enables believers to express this love, which is evidence of their transformation in Christ. The primary focus is on love within the body of Christ, where brotherly love (Philadelphia) is essential for a strong testimony. Kenny stresses that love must also extend outward to all men, reflecting God's love for the world, as exemplified in John 3:16, and to enemies, following Christ’s command to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. He underscores that love expressed practically involves actions such as kindness, honesty, humility, and forgiveness, even in difficult circumstances. Kenny reminds believers that this love is not natural but empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that it is the evidence of true Christianity. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate God's love in all relationships, which glorifies Him and fulfills His perfect will. He concludes with a prayer for divine love to be manifested in believers, enabling them to reflect Christ’s love to the world.
Main Points Outline
Love as the foundation of Christian life and testimony
Agape love is divine, unselfish, sacrificial, and empowered by the Holy Spirit
Love must be genuine and unfamed, not hypocritical
Love expressed in the body of Christ (brotherly love/Philadelphia) is essential for unity and testimony
Love extends to all men, reflecting God's love for the world (John 3:16)
Love even toward enemies, following Christ’s example (Matthew 5:44, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60)
Practical expressions include kindness, honesty, humility, forgiveness, and patience
Love is evidence of true Christian transformation and is impossible without divine power
Focus on loving one another, not self, as the key to effective Christian living
God’s vengeance belongs to Him; believers are called to leave justice in His hands
Prayer for divine love to manifest in believers for God's glory
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
