5.The Secret Of Loving Is Knowing
I. THE SECRET OF LOVING IS KNOWING
A. THIS TRUTH DEMONSTRATED IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS...
1. True love between husband and wife is based upon knowledge and understanding of one another
2. Strong friendships are also based upon knowing each other well
3. Brethren who love one another are those who have made the effort to know each other
B. SO IT IS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH AHAIAH...
1. The more we come to know Ahaiah and Ahaishua, the more we will love them!
2. Especially when we grow in our understanding of Their love for us - John 3:16 For Alohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.;
1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
3. Only those who have come to know Ahaiah have learned to love both man and Alohim - 1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know Alohim; for Alohim is love.
[Knowing Alohim, then, is the first major step in the process of living "the abundant life":
1) By knowing Ahaiah, we come to love Him
2) By loving Him, we will obey Him
3) By obeying Him, we will abide in Him
4) By abiding in Him, we will bear fruit
5) By bearing fruit, we will experience the joys of abundant living
"How can we come to know Ahaiah in such a way as to produce this 'chain-reaction' that leads to the abundant life?
II. THE KEY TO KNOWING AHAIAH
A. WE COME TO KNOW AHAIAH THROUGH COMMUNICATION...
1. Is this not true in our human relationships?
a. Where there is communication, knowledge of one another grows
b. Where there is little or none, relationships flounder -- And so it is with our relationship with Yehovah!
2. Communication with Ahaiah is a two-street...
a. He speaks to us through the Bible, written by men inspired by the Spirit of Yehovah -
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of elohim spake as they were moved by the Ruach ha Kodesh.; John 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.; 1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of Ahaiah.
b. And we speak to Ahaiah through prayer - Phillipians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Elohim.
[7] And the peace of Alohim, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Messiah Ahaishua.;
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing.
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of Alohim in Messiah Ahaishua concerning you.
3. As simple as it may sound, reading Scripture and praying to Ahaiah can be the catalysts starting the "chain-reaction" that will lead one to experience "the abundant life"
a. The value of Ahaiah's Word in bearing fruit is described in Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
[2] But his delight is in the law of Ahaiah; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
b. The value of prayer to receiving blessings from Elohim was taught by Ahaishua in Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
[8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
[10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
B. WE ALSO COME TO KNOW ALOHIM THROUGH EXPERIENCE...
1. Sharing experiences with friends and loved ones certainly helps
us to know them better
2. As we go through life, walking with Ahaiah and Ahaishua, we will experience such things as:
a. Their love for us
b. Their strength that is imparted to us -- Both of which (love and strength), Paul prayed that the Ephesians would experience and comprehend - Ephesians 3:14-21 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Master Ahaishua Messiah,
[15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
[17] That Messiah may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
[18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
[19] And to know the love of Messiah, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of Alohim.
[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Messiah Ahaishua throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
3. Experiencing such blessings from Yehovah will not only help us to
know Alohim better, but to love Him more - Psalm 116:1-2I love Ahaiah, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
[2] Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.